Gifts in a Jar

I get a lot of questions--many of them are answered in the paragraphs below. I do not have any additional recipes. If you're looking for something besides what's on these pages, please check the links provided in the right column of this page. Chances are if you just look around at those a little, you'll find what you wanted.

BEFORE YOU E-MAIL ME, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. SORRY, BUT ANY E-MAILS I RECEIVE ASKING QUESTIONS THAT ARE ANSWERED BELOW WILL NOT BE ANSWERED DUE TO LACK OF TIME.

This website contains several recipes that can be given as gifts. When making these recipes, keep this in mind:

The first recipe is the one you make and put into the jar. The second recipe should be printed out in a nice font, maybe with a nice border around it, and attached to the jar. A simple circle of cloth placed between the seal and the ring (of a two-part canning lid) makes a pretty effect and you could also add a ribbon around the ring.

Many of the recipes are designed to fit in a standard 1-quart canning jar. Read them carefully before starting to see if they will fit. If the total ingredients measure about 4 cups, it will fit in a quart jar (you can fit a little more than 4 cups if one of the ingredients is brown sugar, because you can compact the brown sugar quite a bit). Some of the recipes make too much or too little to go in a quart jar. Also, I have not tested most of these recipes. They are some recipes I received at a women's group meeting at my church.

*****Please note that I do not know where you can find these jars in your area. I happen to have some on hand, and I see them year-round on the very top shelf of my local Safeway above the Sure-Jel. But in many areas they are a seasonal item and will be hard to find at Christmastime. You might also try your local thrift store such as Goodwill. A website I found that carries canning supplies is http://www.wildprairie.com/wildprairie1/******

Many ask how long these will keep. I have kept some in my pantry for several months with no problem other than the brown sugar turning rock-hard and having to be ice-picked out. Dry ingredients will not mold if the jars are closed--no need to keep them refrigerated. However, most make-a-mix cookbooks suggest that you use their mixes within three months, and I think that is a good rule of thumb even if there is no shortening in the mix.

The recipes are on three pages, one for each section. Section 1 is the "Mixed Recipes"--where all the ingredients are just mixed together in a bowl and put into the jar; Section 2 is the "Layered Recipes"--where you layer the ingredients for a "sand art" effect; and Section 3 is for "Baked in the Jar Recipes." Yes, that's right, they are baked in a wide-mouth PINT canning jar. Section 4 is some extra recipes that someone sent me from a list she was on. Some of them are kind of different, like bath salts and such.

If you want just one recipe, I would suggest selecting the text of the recipe, and using Copy and Paste (into a word processor program). If you want all the recipes in a file, here is a downloadable version:
Click here to download all the recipes in a text file (116Kb)
You need to have Winzip or PKZip to unzip this file once you have downloaded it.

 



Some Jar Mix Links
Here are even more recipes!
New! Vanilla Mae's Jars and Mixes has some flavored coffee recipes and more baked-in-a-jar tips, along with a warning.
About.com Busy Cooks
Click on the "Make
Your Own Mixes" section.
Cookie Recipes.com
Look for the "in a jar" category to find
some good mixes.
New! Tweezle's Make Your Own Mixes
has some good in-a-jar recipes, including that layered bean soup mix that so many of you are looking for.


Now featuring books from Amazon.com

I recommend:

Make-a-Mix
by Karine Eliason, Nevada Harward, and Madeline Westover--The 1995 combined version of the old classic
books. I use the Basic Cookie Mix all the time! And their Quick Mix is a good Bisquick substitute.

Buy This Book Today!

Buy This Book Today!

I won an award!
momsgift.gif (16334 bytes)

http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/momnine/homewithmom.html

Simple Mix Recipes

Hot Chocolate Mix
One is never too old to enjoy hot chocolate, and this is a special way to share it with a friend.

3 cups powdered milk
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
Dash of salt

Sift the ingredients into a large bowl. Pack the mix into an airtight container.

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Hot Chocolate
Serves 1

4 tablespoons Hot Chocolate Mix
8 ounces boiling water
Marshmallows or whipped cream

Place the Hot Chocolate Mix into a mug. Pour in the boiling water. Stir until the Chocolate mix is dissolved. Garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
This spicy cider tastes delicious after winter sports, so here's just the gift for a hostess on a ski vacation.

1/2 cup dried cranberries
12 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp. crushed whole cloves
2 Tbsp. whole allspice

In a small bowl, stir the cranberries and spices together. Store in an airtight container.

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Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
Serves 12 to 14

2 quarts apple cider
1 quart water
1 package Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
2 oranges, sliced

In a large saucepan combine the cider, water, and Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix. Heat through but do not boil. Add most of the orange slices. Serve warm, garnished with the remaining orange slices.

White Hot Chocolate Mix
A great idea for a major chocoholic.

1 tsp. vanilla powder
1 tsp. dried orange peel
1/2 cup grated white chocolate or white chocolate chips

Combine and blend the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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White Hot Chocolate
Serves 2

1 and 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup White Hot Chocolate Mix

In a small saucepan, heat the milk until bubbles form around the outside.
Add the White Hot Chocolate Mix and whisk until the chocolate is melted.
Continue to whisk until the mixture is hot.

Wondering where to get powdered vanilla? The Great American Spice Company has it! I am not sure at this time if the less expensive Vanilla Sugar is acceptable, but they have both Vanilla Sugar and Vanilla Powder.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix

1/3 cup light brown sugar
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. powdered vanilla
1/4 cup cocoa
2 1/2 cups powdered milk

Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Mexican Hot Chocolate
Serves 6

3 cups water
Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix (to taste)
Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Heat the water to boiling and add the Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix. Stir with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. Garnish with cinnamon sticks. For a frothier hot chocolate, mix in a blender.

Mexican Fiesta Dip Mix
This is an unusual Southwestern dip mix that can be given in a small sombrero.

1/2 cup dried parsley
1/3 cup minced onion
1/4 cup dried chives
1/3 cup chili powder
1/4 cup ground cumin
1/4 cup salt

In a large bowl, combine the spices and store in an airtight container.

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Mexican Fiesta Dip
Makes 2 cups

3 Tbsp. Mexican Fiesta Dip Mix
1 cup mayonnaise or low-fat mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream or low-fat yogurt

In a medium mixing bowl combine the Dip Mix with the mayonnaise and sour cream. Whisk the mixture until smooth. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh vegetables.

Ranch Dressing and Dip Mix
This versatile mix can be used to make a dressing for salads, a dip for fresh veggies, or topping for baked potatoes.

1 1/2 Tbsp. dried parsley
1/2 Tbsp. dried chives
1/4 Tbsp. dried tarragon
1/2 Tbsp. lemon pepper
1 Tbsp. salt
1/4 Tbsp. oregano
1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder

In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients. Store in an airtight container.

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Ranch Dressing
Makes 1 cup

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 Tbsp. Ranch Pressing & Dip Mix

In a large bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk and dressing & dip mix. Refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Ranch Dip
Makes 2 cups

2 Tbsp. Ranch Dressing & Dip Mix
1 cup mayonnaise or low-fat mayo
1 cup sour cream or low-fat yogurt

Combine the Ranch Dressing and Dip Mix with mayonnaise and sour cream. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving with raw vegetables, or as a topping for baked potatoes.

Turkey Noodle Soup Mix
This is a great way to use leftover turkey.

1 cup uncooked fine egg noodles
1 1/2 Tbsp. chicken-flavored bouillon
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. dried whole thyme
1/8 tsp. celery seeds
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 bay leaf

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Turkey Noodle Soup

1 package Turkey Noodle Soup Mix
8 cups water
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup minced onion
3 cups cooked diced turkey

Combine the Turkey Noodle Soup Mix and the water in a large stockpot. Add the carrots, celery, and onion and bring to a boil. Cover the soup and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in the turkey and simmer an additional 5 minutes.

Curried Rice Mix
This curried rice mix is an interesting complement for plain chicken or pork.

1 cup long-grain rice
1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled
2 Tbsp. dried minced onion
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 tsp. curry powder

Layer the ingredients in the order given in a 1 & 1/2-cup jar.

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Curried Rice
Serves 6

2 1/2 cups water
1 package Curried Rice Mix

In a medium saucepan bring the water to a boil. Add the rice mix. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Lemon Pepper Seasoning Mix
Lemon pepper adds a piquant flavor when used on grilled meats.

1 cup ground black pepper
1/3 cup dried lemon peel
3 Tbsp. coriander seeds
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/4 cup dried thyme leaves

Stir all the ingredients together and store in airtight jars.

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Grilled Lemon Chicken
Serves 4

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. Lemon Pepper Seasoning Mix
6 chicken cutlets

Preheat the broiler or BBQ grill. In a low, flat dish stir together the lemon juice, oil and Lemon Pepper Seasoning Mix. Add the chicken breasts, and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes. Grill over hot coals or broil for 4 minutes on each side, or until done. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Pizza Dough Mix
This is a gift for friends of all ages, whether a starving college student or a senior citizen--everyone loves pizza.

2 3/4 cups bread flour
1 package (1 Tbsp.) active dry yeast
2 tsp. salt

In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients. Place the mix in an airtight container.

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Pizza
Makes 2 12-inch pizzas

1 package Pizza Dough Mix
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup warm water
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 tsp. crushed oregano

Place the Pizza Dough Mix in a large bowl & add the oil and water. Beat with a wooden spoon or dough hook until mixture forms a ball. Turn out onto a floured board and knead for 5 minutes. Transfer to a greased bowl and let the dough rise for 90 minutes. Divide the dough in half and pat into two 12-inch circles. For thin crust, fill and bake the pizzas now. For thicker crust, let pizzas rise 30 to 45 minutes. Top the pizza dough with tomato sauce, cheeses of your choice, crushed oregano, and olive oil drizzled over the pizzas. Preheat the oven and bake at 425 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

California Corn Bread Mix
This is a sweet, cake-like corn bread that is delicious with honey butter.

2 cups Bisquick baking mix
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder

In a large glass or ceramic bowl, stir all the ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.

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California Corn Bread
Serves 4 to 6

1 package California Corn Bread Mix
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the corn bread mix in a large mixing bowl and add the eggs, milk and butter. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Poor into a greased 8-inch baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.

Ginger Spice Muffin Mix
A great gift for people on the go!!

1 3/4 cups flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Store the mixture in an airtight container.

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Ginger Spice Muffins
Makes 1 dozen

1 pkg. Ginger Spice Muffin Mix
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and grease 12 muffin tins. In a large bowl, combine the muffin mix with the butter, egg, vanilla and milk Stir the mixture until the ingredients are blended. Do not overmix. The batter will be lumpy. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full, and bake for 15 minutes.

Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake Mix
This cake is delightful with its lemony flavor and the added crunch of poppy seeds.

1 1/2 cups sugar
3 cups cake flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup poppy seeds

Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Blend with a wire whisk. Store the mix in an airtight container.

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Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake
Serves 8

3/4 cup butter
6 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. lemon extract (not lemon juice)
Zest of 1 lemon
1 pkg. Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake Mix

Glaze:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8- to 9-cup Bundt pan. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the milk, extracts, and lemon zest. The mixture will look curdled. Add the Cake Mix, and continue to beat on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes until mixture is smooth.
Pour the batter into greased pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes.
Glaze: Combine sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to boil for 3 minutes. When cake is removed from oven, poke cake all over with a wooden skewer and brush glaze over cake. Let the cake stand for 1 hour and remove from pan to cool on a wire rack. Wrap the cake in plastic wrap.

Spiced Apple Cake Mix

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. powdered vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup golden raisins

Combine and blend ingredients in a medium bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Spiced Apple Cake
Serves 8 to 10

1 package Spiced Apple Cake Mix
1 1/2 cups canola oil
3 large eggs
3 cups chopped apples

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F & grease a tube or Bundt pan. Place the Spiced Apple Cake Mix into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the Mix; add the oil, eggs, and apples. Stir until mixture is smooth. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour & 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool; remove from the cake pan.

Carrot Cake Mix

2 cups sugar
2 tsp. powdered vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Carrot Cake
Makes 1 13x9-inch cake

1 package Carrot Cake Mix
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 large eggs
3 cups grated carrots
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F & grease 13x9 inch pan. Place Carrot Cake Mix in large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the mix & add the oil, eggs, carrots & pineapple. Blend until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan & bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool the cake and frost if desired or dust with powdered sugar.

Cobbler Mix

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. powdered vanilla

Combine and blend the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Berry Cobbler
Serves 8 to 10

4 cups fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries or boysenberries)
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
1 package Cobbler Mix

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In large mixing bowl combine berries, juice, sugar and cinnamon. Place berries in a 13x9-inch pan. In small mixing bowl blend the butter with the egg. Add the Cobbler Mix & stir until the mixture sticks together. Drop the cobbler topping by tablespoonfuls on top of the berry filling. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Double-Fudge Brownie Mix
Dense and fudgy, these are the best brownies in the world.

2 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa (not Dutch process)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

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Double-Fudge Brownies
Makes 24

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
4 eggs
1 package Double-Fudge Brownie Mix

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 12 by 9 inch pan. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the Double-Fudge Brownie Mix & continue to beat the mixture until it is smooth. Spread the mixture into the greased pan, & bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

Snickerdoodle Mix
Snickerdoodles are soft sugar cookies dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups sugar

In a large bowl, combine the ingredients with a whisk. Store the mix in an airtight container.

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Snickerdoodles
Makes about 5 dozen cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 package Snickerdoodle Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter until light; add the eggs & beat on low speed until the mixture is smooth. Add the Snickerdoodle Mix & continue to beat on low speed until the dough begins to form. Combine the sugar & cinnamon in a small bowl. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls & roll in the cinnamon-sugar blend. Arrange on ungreased baking sheets 2 inches apart & bake for 16 to 19 minutes, or until light tan. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Molasses Cookie Mix
Soft, crinkle-coated with sugar, and spicy, these old-fashioned cookies are delightful.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ginger

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Store the mix in an airtight container.

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Molasses Cookies
Makes 4 dozen cookies

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup sulfured molasses
1 package Molasses Cookie Mix

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In large bowl, cream together the butter, egg, and molasses. Add the Molasses Cookie Mix and beat until smooth. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls; roll in granulated sugar & place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Scottish Shortbread Mix
This older recipe never fails to bring a smile.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt

In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients, blending well. Store in an airtight container.

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Scottish Shortbread
Makes 16 pieces

1 cup butter, softened
1 package Scottish Shortbread Mix

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Knead the butter into the shortbread mix and press the mixture firmly into an 8-inch pie plate, or shortbread mold. Bake for 1 hour. The shortbread should be pale in color, not browned. Cut into wedges while still warm.

Candy Cookie Mix

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tsp. powdered vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until they are evenly distributed, making sure all brown sugar lumps are crushed. Store in an airtight container

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Candy Cookies
Makes 3 dozen cookies

1 cup unsalted butter or margarine, softened
1 large egg
1 package Candy Cookie Mix
1 cup candy bar chunks (Reese's peanut butter cups, Butterfinger bars, white or milk chocolate chunks)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is smooth. Add the egg, and continue beating until the egg is combined. Add the Candy Cookie Mix and candy bar chunks and blend on low just until the cookie mix is incorporated. Form the cookies into 1 1/2-inch balls & place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden on the edges. Remove from oven, and cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes.

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