Gift Mixes in a Jar

Gift Mixes in Jars have become a rage nowadays. Beautifully layered dry ingredients with an instruction card make the gift look very attractive.

26. Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Mix

Layer 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup brown sugar; firmly packed, 1 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1 3/4 cup flour; mixed with 1 tsp. baking powder; and 1/2 tsp baking soda in order in a wide-mouthed quart size canning jar. Attach the following recipe to the jar –

Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Add 1 1/2 sticks butter, 1 egg, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix until completely blended. Shape into balls and place 2' apart on sprayed baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies

27. Muffin Mix

2 c. self-rising flour
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. chopped dried apple

Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach the following recipe to the jar:

Apple Muffins:

Contents of jar
1 egg
3/4 C. milk
1/4 C. vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Turn jar contents into medium bowl. Add remaining ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.

28. Rum Balls in a Jar

2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
1 cup finely chopped almonds
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp instant coffee crystals
1/2 tsp cinnamon, optional

Layer ingredients into a 1 quart jar, tamping down layers to eliminate air gaps. Attach the following recipe to the jar:

Place contents of jar into a bowl. Add 4 to 5 tablespoons rum, espresso, and/or coffee. Form into small balls. Roll in icing sugar. Place on a cookie sheet to dry. Store in airtight container.

29. Spice Cake Mix

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground allspice
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach the following recipe to the jar:
Combine jar contents with, add 2 eggs, ½ cup oil, ½ cup applesauce and 1 tsp. vanilla and mix well. Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan and bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

30. Salsa Mix

1 1/2 cup dried cilantro
1 teaspoon garlic powder; (more to taste)
1/2 cup dried chopped onion
1/4 cup dried red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients until well blended. Store in an airtight container. Give with serving instructions. Attach to Jar:

Spicy Salsa:

Blend 2 tablespoons salsa mix with one 10 oz. can mexican style tomatoes. Serve with chips.

Salsa Spread:

Blend 2 tablespoons salsa mix with 1 cup softened cream cheese. Serve with crackers.

31. Stuffing Mix

3 1/2 cups unseasoned bread cubes
3 tablespoons dried celery flakes
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon sage additional ingredients:
1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Place bread cubes in a jar . In a small plastic bag, combine celery flakes, onion, bouillon, poultry seasoning and sage. Mix well and tie bag

Instructions to attach to jar:

To prepare stuffing: In a sauce pan over medium heat, bring water, butter and contents of seasoning packet to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat; add bread cubes and mix gently. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Toss with a fork before

32. Christmas Soup Mix

1/2 cup split peas
1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup lentils
1/4 cup dried minced onion
2 teaspoons italian seasoning
1 cup raw long-grain white rice

In a 1 ½ -pint jar, layer the ingredients in the order listed. Seal the jar tightly.

Gift Tag Directions: In large soup pot, brown 1 pound of ground beef or 1 pound cubed chicken breast; drain. Add 3 quarts of water, a 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes with their liquid and the soup mix. Bring the mixture to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 1 hour.

33. Bean Soup Mix

Layer into a jar

1/4 cup dried garbanzo beans
1/4 cup dried navy beans; black beans or lima bean
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 the following recipe 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.

34. Potato Soup Mix

1 3/4 cup instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
2 teaspoon chicken granules
2 teaspoon dried onion
1/2 teaspoons thyme
2 teaspoon parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper