Homemade Gifts in a Jar

If you're looking for something unique to give this Christmas, homemade gifts in a jar might suit your needs nicely. These gifts allow people to make their own Christmas goodies, at their leisure, and until then they have a good-looking gift to display on their counter or as part of a centerpiece.

In addition, homemade gifts in a jar are easier for you than giving out trays of baked goods to your friends, family, and coworkers. Not only do you not have to bake the goodies in the first place, but homemade gifts in a jar are far easier to transport than wobbly plates or bulky tins of cookies and other baked goods.

Baked goods are not the only homemade gifts in a jar, though. You can also make a variety of soup mixes that your recipients can turn into delicious winter brew just by adding water and heating. Below are a couple of recipes that we've had good luck with in the past.

Brownies in a Jar

Supplies and Instructions (makes 1 gift):

• 1 1-quart jar
  Mason jars are great for these, but any jar of the proper size will work well. Wash your jar and make sure it has ample time to dry inside before you start. Any moisture at all risks damage to your ingredients.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Mix the above flour mixture ingredients together and set aside.

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder (the darker the better)
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup peanut butter chips, or 1 cup white chocolate chips

1. In your clean, dry jar, layer ingredients in a contrasting order, with light ingredients next to darker ones. Make sure your chocolate chips and pecans, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips are on top. One suggested layering order is: sugar, cocoa, flour mixture, chocolate chips, extra ingredients.



2. Cover your jar tightly and make sure it seals completely. This will keep the brownie mix fresh for a long time, in case the recipients of your homemade gifts in a jar choose to wait several months before they make the brownies.



3. Attach a label or gift tag with the following instructions:
   
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Treat an 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 baking pan so the batter does not stick. Mix 1/2 cup butter that has been melted and cooled with 2 slightly beaten eggs. Add jar mix and stir. When all lumps are removed, spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Let brownies cool in the pan, then cut into bars.

Lentil Soup in a Jar

Supplies and Instructions (makes 1 gift):

• 1 1 1/2 pint jar
  Again, a small Mason jar of the proper size will work well, but so will any other glass jar with a lid that fits tightly.
• 1/3 cup bouillon granules (whatever flavor you like best)
• 1/4 cup dry barley
• 1/2 cup lentils
• 1/2 cup dry split peas
• 1/4 cup onion flakes
• 1/2 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
• 1/2 cup small pasta (like alphabet pasta)
• 1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1-2 bay leaves

1. Layer your ingredients in your jar. Your homemade food gifts will look better if you put contrasting colors next to one another. If you live in a wetter climate, wrap the pasta in cling wrap before adding it to your jar.



2. Attach a label or tag to the gift jar with the following instructions:
   
   Remove the pasta from the jar and set it aside. If you so desire, add 1 pound browned ground beef or turkey or equivalent amounts cooked, shredded chicken to your soup pot. Add 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 small can tomato paste, 3 quarts of water, and the rest of the mix. Boil, then reduce heat. Cover soup pot, and simmer for 45 minutes or until lentils and split peas are soft. Add in pasta, black pepper to taste, and garlic to taste, recover pot, and simmer for 15-20 more minutes.

At this point, you should have two homemade gifts in a jar, ready for distribution or even use in your own home. If you want to make more, multiply the recipes appropriately.

We hope you've enjoyed our suggestions for homemade gifts in a jar. If you decide to try any of these ideas, let us know how they turn out, and post a photo using the form below. If you have other ideas to share, we'd love to hear them, too!