Gift Jar Recipes

[believemagic.livejournal.com]

With Christmas near and lots of craft fairs all over the world, here are a few recipes for gift jar mixes.



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Chocolate Cookies in a Jar

1/3 c. milk chocolate chips

1/3 c. white chocolate chips

1/3 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. light brown sugar, packed

2 c. buttermilk biscuit baking mix, divided

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. dark brown sugar packed

Layer first 4 ingredients in a one quart, wide mouth jar in the order listed; add one cup buscuit baking mix and salt, packing firmly. Layer dark brown sugar and remaining biscuit mix; add additional chips to any remaining space. Secure lid and attach instructions.

Instructions:

Place cookie mix in a medium mixing bowl; stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup melted butter, one egg and on teaspoon vanilla extract; mix well. Shape dough into one-inch balls; arrange on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 2-1/2 dozen.



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Oatmeal Cookie Mix (Yummy)

1-1/3 c. quick cooking oats, uncooked

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. chopped pecans

1 c. chocolate chips

1 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

Layer the first 5 ingredients in a one-quart, wide mouth jar, firmly packing each layer before adding the next; set aside. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl; mix well. Layer in jar; secure lid and attach instructions.

Instructions:

Place cookie mix in a large mixing bowl; toss gently. Add 1/2 cup melted butter, one beaten egg and one teaspoon vanilla extract; mix well. Shape dough into one-inch balls; arrange on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 11 to 13 minutes; cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet and remove to wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 2-1/2 dozen.



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Butterscotch Bars in a Jar (Family Favorite) 2c. All purpose flour

1-1/2 t. baking powder

1/4 t. salt

1/2 c. flaked coconut

1/2 c. sugar

2 c. brown sugar packed

1/2 t. nutmeg

Combine flour, baking powder and salt together; set aside. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed in a one-quart wide mouth jar, pressing each layer firmly before adding the next. Add flour mixture to the top; secure lid. Attach instructions.

Instructions:

Place mix in a large mixing bowl; toss gently to mix. Add 3/4 cup softened butter. 2 beaten eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; mix until blended.

Spread batter into a greased 13"x9" baking pan; bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars to serve. Makes 2 dozen.



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Oh-So-Special Brownies in a Jar (A big hit too)

1 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

1/2 t. vanilla powder

2/3 c. brown sugar packed

1/3 c. baking cocoa

1 c. white chocolate chips

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. chopped nuts

2/3 c. sugar

Combine first 4 ingredients; press into a one-quart, wide mouth jar. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed, packing each layer gently before adding the next. Secure lid; attach instructions.

Instructions:

Place mix in a large mixing bowl; toss gently. Add 3 eggs and 2/3 cup oil; mix well. Spread into a greased 9"x9" baking pan; bake at 350 degrees for

35 to 40 minutes. Cool. Cute into squares to serve. Makes 15 to 18.



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Italian Soup Mix in a Jar

1/2 c. dried pinto beans

1/2 c. dried pink beans

1/2 c. dried kidney beans

1 c. small bowtie pasta, uncooked

1 T. dried parsley

1 T. chicken bouillon granules

1 t. dried oregano

1 t. dried basil

1 t. garlic salt

1 t. salt

1/2 t. dried, minced garlic

1/4 t. red pepper flakes

Layer beans in order listed in a one-quart, wide mouth jar; set aside.

Place pasta in a plastic zipping bag; gently place on top of bean. Secure lid; set aside. Toss remaining ingredients together; place seasonings in a small plastic zipping bag and add to jar. Tie on instructions.

Instructions:

Set plastic bags to the side; pour beans into a mixing bowl. Rinse with water; drain. Cover beans with water; let soak overnight. Rinse and pour into a 5-quart Dutch oven; add 8 cups of water and a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, season packet, one cup sliced carrots, once cup sliced celery and one cup chopped onions. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 2 hours; uncover and boil gently until thickened, about 35 minutes. Stir in pasta; heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Makes 2 quarts.



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Snickerdoodle Coffee Mix (not bad, but I'm not a big coffee drinker)

1 c. sugar

1 c. powdered milk

1/2 c. vanilla-flavored powdered non-dairy creamer

1/2 c. baking cocoa

3 T. instant coffee ganules

1/2 t. allspice

1/4 t. cinnamon

Combine ingredients; store in an air tight container. Attach instructions.

Makes about 3 cups.

Instructions:

Add 3 tablespoons mix to 3/4 cup boiling water; stir well. Makes one serving.



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White Hot Cocoa Mix

2 t. vanilla powder

2 t. orange zest

1 c. white chocolate chips

1/4 c. mini marshmallows

Combine ingredients; place in a small airtight container. Attach a gift tag with instructions. Makes about 1-1/4 cups

Instructions:

Combine 1-1/2 cups milk with 1/4 cup mix in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk well until chocolate is melted and smooth. Makes one serving.



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Hot Cocoa Mix

2-lb pkg. chocolate drink mix

16-oz jar powdered non-dairy creamer

1-lb pkg. powdered sugar

8-oz pkg. powdered milk

2 c. mini chocolate chips

Combine ingredients; store in an airtight container. Attach instructions.

Makes 11 cups.

Instructions:

Stir 3 to 4 heaping tablespoons mix into one cup boiling water until chocolate chips melt. Makes one serving.



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Oatmeal Scotchies Cookie Mix (MMMMM...)

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. white sugar

3/4 c. butterscotch baking chips

2 c. rolled oats

1 c. all purpose flour

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. nutmeg

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

In large bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.

Layer ingredients in order given in a one-quart, wide mouth jar, layering flour mixture last. Secure lid; attach instructions.

Instructions:

Empty mix into a large mixing bowl, mix thoroughly. Add 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened, 1 beaten egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla; mix until completely blended. Form 1-inc balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie-sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until edges are lightly browned, about

10-12 minutes. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Makes 3 dozen cookies.



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Friendship Soup Mix (Good)

1/2 c. dry split peas

1/3 c. beef bouillon granules

1/4 c. pearl barley

1/2 c. dry lentils

1/4 c. dried onion flakes

2 t. dried Italian seasoning

1/2 c. uncooked long-grain white rice

2 bay leaves

1/2 c. uncooked alphabet pasta

In a 1 1/2 pint jar, layer the split peas, bouillon, barley, lentils, onion flakes, Italian seasoning, rice, and bay leaves. Wrap the pasta in plastic wrap, and place in the jar. Seal tightly. Attach instructions.

Instructions:

Friendship Soup

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS: 1 pound ground beef, black pepper to taste, garlic powder to taste, 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes - undrained, 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, and 3 quarts water.

TO PREPARE SOUP: Remove pasta from top of jar, and set aside. In a large pot over medium heat, brown beef with pepper and garlic; drain excess fat.

Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, and soup mix. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover, and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in the pasta, cover, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pasta, peas, lentils and barley are tender.



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Chicken Rice Soup Mix (my family's favorite)

4 cups raw long-grain rice

4 tablespoons instant chicken bouillon granules

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons dried tarragon

2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until evenly distributed.

Pour into a one-quart, wide mouth canning jar. Secure lid and attach

instructions.

Instructions:

Combine 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of butter or margarine and 1-1/3 cups

of soup mix. Bring water and butter to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Stir

in rice mix, reduce heat, and cover. Cook until liquid is absorbed, about 15

- 20 minutes.



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Take it Easy Bath Crystals

1 c. sea salt

1 c. Epsom salt

1 c. kosher salt

36 drops lavendar essential oil

2 to 3 drops purple food coloring

2 1/2 pint jars and lids

Combine the salts in a plastic bag; add essential oil, shaking bag

thoroughly to coat. Add food coloring; shake bag to distribute color. Pour

mixture into jars; seal with lids and attach a gift tags.



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Revitalizing Bath Salts

2 c. Epsom salt

2 c. course salt

20 drops green food coloring

12 drops eucalyptus essential oil

20 drops rosemary essential oil

30 drops peppermint essential oil

4 1/2 pint jars and lids

Combine salts in large mixing bowl. Scoop out one cup salt mixture and

place in a small mixing bowl. Add food coloring and oils to small mixing

bow; mix well. Pour salt and oil mixture back into large bowl; stir well.

Pour salts into jars; seal lids and attach gift tags.



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Wintertime Skin Smoother

1/2 c. almond oil

1 oz. beeswax

1 T. cocoa butter

12 drops balsam or peppermint essential oil

12 drops vitamin E oil

2 2 oz jars and lids

Heat almond oil, beeswax and cocoa butter in double boiler just until

melted; remove from heat. Stir in oils. Pour into jars and secure lids.



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Oatmeal-Honey Body Scrub

1/4 c. powdered milk

1/4 c. quick cooking oats, uncooked

2 vitamin E capsules

1/4 c. powdered honey

1/4 t, vanilla powder

Place powdered milk in blender and blend to create a fine powder; set aside.

Process oats in a food processor until very fine; add oil from vitamin E

capsules and process until well blended. Add powdered milk, powdered honey

and vanilla powder; process for 15 seconds. Pour contents into a one-pint

jar; secure lid and attach instructions.

Instructions:

Mix one to two tablespoons mix with enough water to form a paste. Apply to

wet skin in a circular motion. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.

(Can wrap jar in a new fuzzy washcloth or hand towel and secure with a

ribbon and tie on a fluffy shower puff for a great gift set.)