Homemade gifts in a jar

Posted 8/21/12

From cookies to soup, homemade gifts in a jar are perfect for the budget-minded holiday giver and it makes for a fun project. Be sure to include the baking or cooking instructions, as the receiver …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Homemade gifts in a jar

Posted

From cookies to soup, homemade gifts in a jar are perfect for the budget-minded holiday giver and it makes for a fun project. Be sure to include the baking or cooking instructions, as the receiver will have to add a few perishable ingredients to complete these gifts.

Holiday Candy Cookies

M&M’s special red and green mix, released near year’s end for the holidays, make this simple sugar-cookie mix a colorful holiday gift.

Makes about 3 dozen

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup M&M® candies

Place sugar in a one-quart jar and smooth over the top to make it even.

Spoon in brown sugar and pack down evenly.

In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Stir to mix. Spoon over brown sugar in jar, packing down evenly.

Pour in candies and close with lid. Attach a card with the baking instructions and decorate the jar.

Baking instruction

Place mix in a large bowl. Add 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) softened butter and 2 eggs.

Mix by hand (so you don’t break the candy pieces).

Drop teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes in preheated 350-degree oven.

Remove from oven and cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to a rack.

Cranberry Spice Cookies in a Jar

Makes about 3 dozen

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1 1/ 2 teaspoons cinnamon

2/3 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

2/3 cups brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup sugar

Combine the first five ingredients; place in a one-quart, wide-mouth canning jar, packing firmly. Layer the remaining ingredients in the order listed, packing each layer firmly before adding the next ingredient.

Secure the lid and attach baking instructions. Decorate the jar.

Baking instructions

Place mix in a large mixing bowl; gently toss to combine. Mix in one egg, 3/8 cup apple butter, 3 Tablespoons melted butter and 1/4 cup buttermilk; blend well. Drop by tablespoons onto greased baking sheets; bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for one minute, and then remove cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Scones in a Jar

Present this gift for making scones with a jar of your own homemade jam. Raspberry jam would go especially nicely with the chocolate-chip-filled scones.

Makes 8 servings

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup quick-cooking oats, uncooked

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Combine first three ingredients; layer into a one-quart, wide-mouth jar; pack firmly. Layer remaining ingredients on top; secure lid. Attach the baking instructions and decorate the jar.

Baking instructions

Place mix in a medium mixing bowl; cut in one cup sliced butter with a pastry cutter until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.

Whisk 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup milk and one egg together; add to dry ingredients, mixing until just moistened. Knead on a lightly floured surface 8 to 10 times; pat into an 8-inch circle. Slice into 8 wedges; arrange one inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Pumpkin Bread Mix

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Layer ingredients attractively in any order in a one-quart food storage jar. Pack ingredients down slightly before adding another layer.

Seal jar with tight-fitting lid, attach the baking instructions and decorate the jar for gift-giving.

Baking instructions

Beat 1/3 cup softened butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy.

Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 1 cup canned pumpkin until well blended. Add contents of pumpkin bread mix from the jar and stir until just combined.

Pour batter into 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan prepared with non-stick cooking spray.

Bake 50 to 55 minutes in preheated 350-degree oven.

Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

Soup Mix in a Jar

Serves 6 to 8

1/2 cup macaroni

1 cup green split peas

1 cup red lentils

1 cup pearl barley

1/2 cup dried onion flakes

2 teaspoons celery flakes

2 Tablespoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon ground pepper

Place the macaroni in a plastic sandwich bag and set aside.

Layer the remaining ingredients as level as possible in a one-quart jar in this order: split peas, lentils, pearl barley, onion flakes, celery flakes, parsley, pepper and bagged macaroni.

Secure the lid and decorate the jar as desired. Attach the recipe for making the soup.

Cooking instructions

Coat a large pot with cooking spray and warm over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and salt to taste, and cook, stirring and breaking up the ground beef until no pink remains. Drain off excess fat.

Add 12 cups (3 quarts) broth and water combination, and all of the jar ingredients (except the bag of macaroni). Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add macaroni and simmer another 10 minutes, or until peas are tender and macaroni is cooked. Serve hot.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here