**Update: This recipe has become one of my most popular on Pinterest. I’ve now updated it with a Christmassy twist in a new post which can be found here. Thanks for stopping by.**
It’s Christmas party season at the moment, and if you’re looking for the perfect hostess gift baked goods always seem to go down well. They’re thoughtful and homemade, but sometimes – especially around Christmas time, we literally just don’t have the time (or energy) to sit around baking. If this sounds like a dilemma you have, then these cookies my friends are for you! They look amazing, taste delicious, and only take about 5 mins to make – not bake! That’s because you don’t do the baking, they do! Just include a little card with the baking instructions so the recipient knows what to do.
I had actually made these cookies in a jar way back in the summer as a hostess thank you gift, which is why they don’t exactly look very Christmassy. I’d used a spring mix colour blend of M&M’s and some fun white and dark chocolate swirl chocolate chips I picked up in the States – why don’t we get these cool things in the UK?!?!?
I love these cookies because not only are they easy to make, but they just look so pretty in the jar, especially with seasonal coloured M&M’s, and a nice bow tied around them. For some strange reason here in the UK M&M’s do a Christmas blend of red and green M&M’s, but they’re only available in peanut flavour, and in a little 125 gram tube. BUT – the good news is, if you’re looking for fun and seasonal colours of M&M’s, they are available at the M&M store in Leicester Square (I bought a variety of blue M&M’s for my baby shower there).
To make these Cookies in a Jar, you’ll need a jar (duh!), chocolate chips, M&M’s (or other candy coated chocolate candy – you could also use raisins or nuts, but those aren’t nearly as fun) and then the usual ingredients flour, sugar, oats, etc, and then layer them neatly in the jar. Include a little instruction card letting your friends know they’ll need to add in a bit of butter, an egg, and some vanilla to the mixture before baking.
Cookies in a Jar
Adapted from All Recipes
Ingredients:
1 1/3 Cups (166g) Flour
1 1/3 Cups (120g) Rolled Oats
3/4 Cup M&M’s, Chopped Nuts, or Raisins
3/4 Cup Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup (100g) Brown Sugar, packed
1/2 Cup (112g) White Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
Instructions:
1. Layer the ingredients in a 1 quart jar (I think I got my jars from Ikea) in the order given above. Make sure to press each layer firmly in place before adding the next layer, otherwise it may not all fit.
2. Include a card with the following instructions: Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar:
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Grease cookie sheets. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup (115g) melted butter, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir in the entire contents of the jar. You may need to use your hands to finish mixing. Shape into walnut sized balls. Place two inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven. Transfer from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
And there you have it! A delicious home prepared Christmas (or anytime) gift that tastes amazing, and takes virtually none of your time!
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Such a great idea! And these cookies are so cute 🙂 Just at this moment I’m baking cakes in a jar, haha. ¡Merry Christmas, Andrea! xoxo
I love them!
always wanted to do these but never knew which sized jar to use & have never got around to doing trial runs. It also annoys me about the M&M’s – we used to live in the US & I loved to get the red/green M&M’s for baking – will have to pay a visit to the M&M store next year instead.
I love cookies in a jar – what a great gift. How cool are those chocolate drops!
What an AMAZING idea. Love it! :o) xx
That is such a great idea! I might try this for birthday gifts throughout the year! Thanks for the inspiration!!xx
Awesome gift idea!! Have to try this one out!! A gift giving not just for Christmas!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Yaneri
http://www.sweetbakesofmine.com
These look fabulous and thanks for the tip about the M&M store – I will definitely try this out. When you make them up and use melted butter does that mean just soft or completely liquid? Thanks in advance
What size jar did you use?
My son’s school has a ‘jam jar tombola’ at the Christmas fair. This will be perfect!