December 11, 2009

Holiday Cheer - Cookies in a Jar


Need a quick gift for a teacher, neighbor or co-worker? Here's a couple of easy to fix cookie recipes. Quart canning jars work well for these, though when I found some fancy jars at a dollar store a couple of years ago I used them instead. If you want to add a bit more 'gift', attach a set of measuring spoons, cookie cutters or a mixing spoon to the jar with a ribbon.

Cookies in a Jar


Chocolate Chip

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix the salt and baking soda in with the flour, then layer the ingredients a quart-size jar in the order listed, with the chocolate chips on top. Use scissors to cut a 9 inch-diameter circle from calico. Place over lid and secure with rubber band. Tie on a raffia or ribbon bow to cover rubber band.

Enclose a card with the following mixing and baking directions:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Note: Store this jar in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months before using.

Contents of this jar
1 cup unsalted butter or margarine
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sift dry ingredients through a colander to separate the chocolate chips from other ingredients. Beat butter in a medium bowl until creamy. Beat sifted ingredients into butter until blended. In a small bowl, beat egg with vanilla. Mix beaten egg mixture into butter mixture until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter, spaced well apart, onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 4 dozen.

Cranberry Biscotti

3/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries
3/4 cup pecans
2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup sugar

Layer ingredients in order inside a clean 1 quart jar. Tap gently on the counter top to settle each layer before adding the next. Add additional cranberries or pecans to top off the jar.

Attach these directions to the jar:

Cranberry Biscotti

Contents of Jar
1/3 cup butter
2 eggs

Beat 1/3 cup butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add 2 eggs and beat on medium until well combined. Using a wooden spoon, stir in contents of jar just until combined. Divide into 2 loaves on cookie sheet, chilling if necessary to make dough easier to handle. Each loaf should be about 9 inches long and 2 inches wide. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 min or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on sheet for 1 hour. Cut each loaf diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices using a serrated (bread) knife. Place slices on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325°F for 8 minutes, then turn over and bake for 8-10 minutes more or until dry and crisp. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Makes 32 cookies.

Tomorrow's recipe: Gum Drop Cookies

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. ~ Harlan Miller

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love these!!!

Thanks!!

Tessy

LuAnn said...

I love how easy to make and fun to give these "jar" gifts are! This is a great recipe to add to my collection.

Karen H said...

I've never done this before but they look like fun and thoughtful gifts!

Unknown said...

What an awesome idea. I can even do this!!! I hate baking, but there's nothing tedious about providing the ingredients to someone else. Of course, I may hate the chore of baking, but I sure enjoy the outcome. :) I'm well known for baking the Pillsbury cookies with a snowman or reindeer already etched in food color on top. Hey...it's still baking. I had to turn on the oven. :)

G

Mary Ricksen said...

What a great idea. A gift jar, I never thought of it. How clever you are. This is a homey, usable, and delicious way to make someone happy.

Anonymous said...

Great idea for the cookies. And thanks for the recipes
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

Estella said...

Clever gifts!

Judy said...

This is great. I have heard of the same concept in making hot chocolate in a jar and giving it as presents. Will have to try them of course, no need to stop now :)

Judy

Margaret Tanner said...

Ooh yum yum, chocolate chip cookies one of my favourites.
Chers
margaret

char10 said...

I made some gift jars last year for co-workers.the oatmeal/raisin and white chocolate macadamia nut were the favorites.

Anonymous said...

PERECT! I'll be making some of these. Terrific idea.