Don’t you just love gifts from the kitchen? For years I prepared a wide assortment of chocolates and candies for each household in my family. My dear friend’s youngest daughter Kayla stayed with me before and after school until her mother picked her up some years ago.  During those four years she helped with the gifts for my family. Right after Thanksgiving we started making and freezing the candy. Together we made more than 1500 pieces of candy!  Kayla, now a sophomore in college, still talks about those candy making days with great fondness. This is one of those memories that will be close to my heart forever, and the motivation behind this post.

While browsing verybestbaking.com today I came across their baking list of  “Gifts in a Jar”.   Putting these jars together is easy to do, economical,  and a great way for children to get involved in the holiday.
Below are three of my favorite Very Best Baking “Gifts in a Jar”.

Oatmeal Chip Cookie Mix

Ingredients

* 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, or Butterscotch Flavored Morsels
* 1 1/2 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
* 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions

COMBINE flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in small bowl. Place flour mixture in 1-quart jar. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.

RECIPE TO ATTACH:
Beat 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter or margarine, 1 large egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until blended. Add cookie mix; mix well, breaking up any clumps. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 375° F. oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Chewy Brownie Mix In A Jar

Ingredients

* 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
* 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
* chopped nuts

Directions

LAYER ingredients in order listed above in 1-quart jar, pressing firmly after adding each ingredient. Be sure to wipe out inside of jar with paper towel after adding cocoa. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.

RECIPE TO ATTACH:
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Pour brownie mix into large mixer bowl; stir. Add 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) melted butter or margarine, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons water and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; stir well. Spread into prepared baking pan. Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar. Makes 2 dozen brownies.

Hot Cocoa Mix In A Jar

Ingredients

* 6 cups NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
* 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
* 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
* 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows, (optional)

Directions

COMBINE dry milk, sugar, cocoa and marshmallows in large bowl. Pour into 2-quart jar or tall container. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.

RECIPE TO ATTACH:
Measure 1/2 cup cocoa mix into mug. Stir in 1 cup hot water or milk. Makes 12 servings.

VARIATION USING PINT JAR:
1 1/2 cups NESTLÉ CARNATION Nonfat Dry Milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Baking Cocoa
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows (optional)

RECIPE TO ATTACH:
Measure 1/2 cup cocoa mix into mug. Stir in 1 cup hot water or milk. Makes 4 servings.

Happy Gifting