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Christmas Cookies in a Jar: A Great Hostess Gift!

Christimas Cookies in a Jar: A Great Hostess Gift!
Christmas Cookies in a Jar

Sandy Zielinski, New England Cooks Co-Host.  

At New England Cooks, we continually strive to demonstrate our social conscience and try to do something for those whose lives present challenges every day.  Prime Time House, Inc., where I serve on the board of directors, is a community-based, non-for-profit organization that assists individuals with mental illness.  Prime Time’s goal is to lift our members up and pull them out of a sometimes downward spiral.  It helps them find housing and secure a job.  All of this is done while treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve.    

Our members at Prime Time House wanted to contribute to a fundraiser and make something for the holidays.  We came up with "Cookies in a Jar."  It was a lovely afternoon spending time teaching the members how to assemble the jars.  They learned some cooking techniques, laughed, and sang Christmas carols.  It will be a memory I will cherish.

We made three recipes: White Chocolate Brownie Mix in a Jar, Best Ever Chocolate Cookies, and Country Oatmeal Cookies.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE MIX IN A JAR

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preparation
Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt in a quart jar.  Layer remaining ingredients in the order listed.  Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next layer. 

Note: Be sure to wipe out the inside of the jar with a dry paper towel after adding the coca powder, so the other layers will show through the glass.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:  1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9/13-inch baking pan.  2. Empty jar of brownie mix into a large bowl and stir to blend.  Mix in 3/4 cup melted butter and 4 eggs, and mix thoroughly.  Bake for 25-to-30 minutes.  Cool and cut into 2-inch squares.  I’ve attached the labels for your convenience.   

BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES IN A JAR

Ingredients
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation
Same as recipe above with respect to adding ingredients to the jar.

Attach an index card with the following directions:  1. Empty contents of jar into a large bowl.  2. In separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  3. Beat until creamy and add to dry mixture.  4. Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for 8-to-10 minutes.

COUNTRY OATMEAL COOKIES IN A JAR

Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup oats
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips (or red and green M&M’s)
1 cup walnuts

Preparation
Same as first recipe with respect to adding ingredients to the jar.

Attach an index card with the following directions:  1. Empty contents of jar into a large bowl.  2. In separate bowl, combine 1 cup butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  3. Beat until creamy, and add to dry mixture.  4. Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for 10-to-12 minutes. 

Final Assembly
The ingredients are placed in a quart-size Ball jar in whatever order you feel is the most attractive.  Cut an 8-inch diameter circle of holiday fabric, place the seal on the jar, and attach a label with decorative ribbon or raffia.  I’ve attached the labels for your convenience.