Homemade for the Holidays #11: Gifts in a Jar
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Making gifts in a jar is a fun family project and an easy way to bless others! Â There are SO many ideas out there, from soup mixes to yummy desserts. Â I have included a few recipes from my Homemade Gift Mixes ebook below. Â You can give these a try or grab the ebook that contains over 200 recipes! Â Attach the instructions and a nice gift tag to the jar with some ribbon for a neat practical gift! Â Have fun!
BEAN SOUP MIX
***MIX AND POUR INTO JAR***
- 1/4 cup dried garbanzo beans
- 1/4 cup dried navy beans — black beans or lima beans
- 1/4 cup dried red kidney beans — soy beans or pinto beans
- 1/4 cup dried whole or split peas
- 3 tablespoons minced dried onion
- 2 tablespoons whole wheat berries
- 2 tablespoons pearl barley
- 2 tablespoons dried celery flakes
- 2 teaspoons instant beef bouillon granules
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil — crushed
- 1 bay leaf
Attach to the jar:
To make Bean Soup:
Combine contents of package with 7 cups water in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour. (Or soak bean mixture in the water overnight in a covered pan.) Do not drain. Bring beans and liquid to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender. Stir in one cup diced ham or 1 pound Italian sausage which has been cooked, crumbled and drained. Remove bay leaf. Season to taste with salt or seasoned salt. Variation: Add one 16-oz. can tomatoes, cut up and undrained and one medium carrot, chopped. Cover and simmer for 30 more minutes. Season to taste.
To give these soups as gifts, use canning jars for the mixes. Cut a piece of fabric in a circle which is several inches larger than the jar lid and place the flat lid on the jar . (Pinking shears make a nice edge.) Secure the fabric to the lid with a rubber band or use the canning jar ring. Attach the directions to the jar with a ribbon or raffia. These soups would be nice grouped in baskets with bread mixes for a gift of a complete meal.
BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
Combine the flour, baking soda, white sugar, and the chocolate chips. Place 1/2 of the mixture in a clean quart sized glass jar, and pack firmly. Place the brown sugar on top, again packing firmly. Place the remaining flour mixture on top. Cover with a lid.
Attach an index card with the following directions:
Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separate bowl combine 3/4 cup of butter, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Beat until creamy.  Add to dry mixture.  Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.
BROWNIE MIX IN A JAR
- 2 cups sugar
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder { be sure to wipe out inside of jar with a dry paper towel after adding the cocoa powder}
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 1/4 cups flour mixed with 1 tsp. baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt
Layer ingredients in a 1 quart wide mouth canning jar. press each layer firmly in place before adding the flour mixture.
Instructions to attach to jar:
1.  Empty jar of brownie mix into a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix.
2. Â Add: 1 1/2 sticks butter, 4Â eggs (slightly beaten)
3. Â Mix until completely blended.
4. Â Spread batter into a sprayed 9”x 13” inch baking pan.
5. Â Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Cut into 2 ” squares.
Makes 2 dozen
