Giving Homemade Mixes in a Jar
By Monica Resinger
Mixes in a jar are thoughtful and inexpensive gifts to give to anyone for any
occasion. The idea is to layer dry ingredients of a cookie, cake, biscuit,
muffin, beverage or other recipe decoratively in a jar and add directions of how
to complete the recipe. The jar can be a mason jar or a recycled, clean
mayonnaise or other large jar that has a lid and can then be decorated with
fabric,
ribbons, paint, etc.
I have seen these jars of mixes sell in retail stores for around $8.00!
Imagine the savings if you were to make your own! A few inexpensive ingredients
like flour, brown sugar, chocolate chips and a jar don't cost very much! Gift
recipients will love receiving a homemade mix from you so they can easily
prepare
a treat to enjoy and when they prepare the treat, they'll be thinking of how
thoughtful you are.
Mixes in a jar are excellent for gifts that need to be shipped because you
don't have to worry about baked goods getting smashed or getting stale. A mix
will allow the gift recipient to freshly prepare the treat when it is craved or
needed. They are also great to give to children's teachers, neighbors and
acquaintances because of the ease and money savings involved.
Here is a delicious mix recipe for you to try:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Mix in a Jar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups packed confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Layer
ingredients in order given in a 1 quart wide mouth canning jar. Clean the
inside of the jar with a dry paper towel after adding the confectioners' sugar
and
after adding the cocoa powder. Be sure to pack everything down firmly before
adding the flour mixture, it will be a tight fit. Store in a cool dry place
away from a heat source so condensation and clumping does not occur.
Instructions to attach to Jar:
Peanut Butter Cookies
Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Thoroughly blend mix.
Add:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla.
Mix until completely blended. Shape into walnut sized balls and place 2 inches
apart on a parchment lined baking sheets. Press balls down with a fork. Bake
at 350F degrees for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are browned. Cool 5 minutes on
baking sheet then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. Makes 3 dozen
cookies.
If you'd like more mix recipes, find out about our Creative Mix Recipe E-book
here:
http://homemakersjournal.com/mixes.htm
Get Monica's FREE weekly e-zine for homemakers! Each issue includes a home &
garden article, delicious recipes and more! To subscribe, just send a blank
e-mail to:
HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Check out the 59 home, garden and recipe e-books full of reader tips that
have been published here:
http://homemakersjournal.com/allebooks.htm