5 DIY Holiday Baked Goods in a Jar

Gifts in a Jar for the holidays, hostess gifts, and teacher appreciation days. Five easy to make recipes that look as good as they taste. There are five different cookie, brownie, AND cake recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and delight those that you gift these too. I have a set of old-fashioned recipe cards that I punch a hole in and hand-write the directions and extra ingredients listed for each gift.

As a food-allergy family, when gifting to one of our friends that has food allergies or for using ourselves we substitute brown rice flour, coconut oil(instead of eggs), and we make sure all of the chocolate and other goodies are from nut-free facilities. Peace of mind my friends. Our creations without the added goodness sometimes leaves something to be desired in the looks department-but does it really matter what it looks like if your children can eat it? I don’t think so. But I am a bit biased.

My husband was the designated taste-tester for all of the recipes below and he gladly gobbled up the batches over the past couple of weeks. Would be a shame to make a fabulous looking gift and then the recipe doesn’t turn out for them… color me awkward and embarrassed. But I can tell you that these work like a charm!

Grab a set of Ball Glass Jars, recipe cards, and ingredients!

I have the ingredients listed so that you can easily make your own Jar Gifts and then attach the recipe card.

Please enjoy these easy customizable gift ideas!

Gingerbread Cookies

JAR:

1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cloves
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar

COOKING:

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup molasses

1 egg

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cream together 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup molasses and 1 egg. Blend in the Gingerbread Cookie Mix. Stir until well blended.
2. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Roll out dough to 1/4 on a lightly floured surface. Using cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place on a greased cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes.

Hot Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

JAR:

devil’s food cake mix

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup mini-marshmallows

COOKING:

2 eggs

1/3 cup oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 350F.
2. Empty the cake mix into a mixing bowl and add the eggs and oil.
3. Stir (or mix with a mixer) until blended. Add the mini chocolate chips.
4. Using two small spoons, measure out and shape each cookie into a small ball and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Add three mini marshmallows to the top of each cookie, pushing them lightly into the raw dough.
5. Bake for 8-9 minutes.

Chocolate Brownies

JAR:

2/3 tsp salt

5/8 cup flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup flour

2/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup white sugar

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup white chocolate chips

COOKING:

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup oil

3 eggs

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a baking pan.
2. Pour the contents of the jar into a large bowl and mix well. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2/3 cup vegetable oil and 3 eggs. Beat until just combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, and Pecan Cookies

JAR:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups rolled oats

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 cup light-brown sugar

1 cup chopped toasted pecans

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

COOKING:

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

3/4 cup unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar on high until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg and beat to combine.

2. With mixer on low, gradually add mixture and beat just until combined. Fold in pecans and chocolate chips.

3. Bake cookies until puffed and golden around edges, about 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.

Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies

JAR:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips-chocolate & vanilla

1 cup miniature marshmallows

COOKING:

1 cup butter

2 eggs

DIRECTIONS:

Emma Marie snuck into my photo session to steal some of the props for her big brother… sharing is caring.

Our friend’s favorite? Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal & Pecan Cookies

Happy Holidays Friends!

I am linking up with 71 other fabulous bloggers to bring you three posts a day of recipes, crafts, and holiday traditions during the #countdown2xmas! You can catch-up on all of the fun at A Whimsicle Life. You can also join in our daily Instagram Challenge- follow along with me at AsCuteAsABugsEar. I’ve loved connecting to so many wonderful people this holiday season!

What do you like to gift during the holidays?

Do you have a go-to recipe for the holidays?

I would LOVE to hear from you!