Chocolate Chip Cookies YOU Don't Have To Bake

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!

Made With Pink's Christmas Gift Guide

With Christmas just around the corner, I couldn't help but pull together a list of my top must have gifts that I either own - or would like to see under my tree this year.  Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely LOVE shopping. I'm drawn to anything cute, pink or whimsical, so narrowing down my top gift picks was difficult!  I was originally going to choose my top 5, but that was far too difficult, so I settled on my top 10.  

Made With Pink's Christmas Gift Guide - Top 10 Picks

1.  Russian Doll Measuring Cups - this set of 6 cute measuring cups look like traditional Russian matryoshkas dolls, and stack neatly inside each other.  They measure 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 1 full cup.  Available from John Lewis for £11 and other retailers.

2.  Kenwood kMix Food Mixer - I've never been a fan of the classic Kenwood mixer - purely because I didn't like the way it looked, but I'm loving the new kMix line which come in a range of funky colours.  The mixer shown is the Firecracker model, but my favourite is the Oyster Cove 1 which is made up of various shades of purples and greys.  The Firecracker model is available from John Lewis for £369.  All other models are available via the Kenwood Online Store for £399

3.  Pip Studio Tableware - Ever since spotting these gorgeous cups and saucers by Pip Studio last year, I've been a huge fan of the entire tableware range.  They're great because they come in 3 main colours - blue, pink and beige and can all be mixed and matched with each other.  My husband bought me several pieces for my birthday in August, and I just love them and will continue to add to my collection.  The range includes  tea cups and saucers, tea pots, plates, mugs, bowls, charger plates, etc and look gorgeous when the various colours are mixed with each other.  Available from John Lewis for £4 - £50 and other retailers.

4.  Charbonnel et Walker Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles - Swarovski Crystal Edition - I just love these delicious pink champagne truffles.  How could I not?  They're pink!  And they're actually what inspired my award winning Pink Champagne Cupcakes I made around the time when I first started Made With Pink.  To be honest, the only thing different about these truffles that makes them any different from the original Charbonnel Pink Marc de Champagne truffles is that the box is studded with gorgeous pink Swarovski Crystals. I'm going to be honest and say that I could never justify the cost of these just because they have Swarovski Crystals on the box, but there are obviously people who can!  I think for now I'm going to have to admire them from afar, but if you're looking for a gift for the person that has everything, then you may want to pick up a box.  Available from Harrods for £50

5.  KitchenAid Ice Blue Artisan Mixer - I know I'm featuring two mixers, but I just love the look of both of the ones I've chosen.  I don't know if I could ever stray from my pink KitchenAid Artisan Mixer, but this Ice Blue Model (slightly resembling a giant package from Tiffany's) just might tempt me.  If I could have both I would!  Available from John Lewis for £419 - currently comes with a free glass mixing bowl worth £61

6.  Pink Heart Cast Iron Casserole Dish - I spotted this adorable baby pink heart shaped cast iron casserole dish during a recent shop at Sainsburys.  I was immediately impressed with the finish an quality of the dish, as well as it's reasonable price tag. I know for a fact that this will be waiting for me under our tree on Christmas morning :-)  If you're not a fan of the heart shape, it's also available in the traditional round shape in two different sizes.  Available from Sainsburys for £30

7.  Hovis Bread Tin - I don't know why, but I just love this vintage inspired Hovis bread loaf tin.  I'd seen them previously in Selfridges, but never purchased one.  I love the old fashioned look of them, and think they would make a fantastic gift - especially with a loaf of my banana bread already baked inside! I'm not sure if Selfridges still carry these, but they're available online in two different sizes from Not On The High Street for £16 - £28

8.  Peggy Porschen Apron - Ever since discovering Peggy's cake decorating books I've been a huge fan of hers, and fell in love with her pretty pink and brown aprons after seeing them on display in her cake parlour.  At the time of posting this the adult apron is currently sold out, but the children's size is still available.  The aprons are normally sold in store and online, but as the adult size is out of stock it's best to call the parlour to check availability.  Available from the Peggy Porschen Parlour for £15 - £25

9.  Kuhn Rikon Colori Knives - I can safely say that these coloured knives are the most used thing in my kitchen.  I've lost track as to how many I actually have, but the baby pink ones (I have several) are my favourite.  I love these knives because the blades are made of high-quality carbon with a non-stick coating and plastic blade protecting case, which makes them great because I can toss them in my drawer or purse (yes, I've been known to carry one in my purse!) without them getting dull.  They come in a huge variety of colours and patterns including leopard and zebra prints, and even polka dot and cupcake patterns!  Available from various retailers for around £6

10.   ToDryFor Tea Towels - I stumbled across the ToDryFor website a few months ago, and can't get enough of their quirky tea towels!  They have a huge range of designs, many inspired by London and other famous world cities, but the 2 pictured above are probably my favourites.  Available online from the ToDryFor website for £8.50 - £12.50

Hopefully my picks will help you choose the perfect gift for your loved one, or feel free to hint to them about something that caught your eye!  

* Please note that My Top 10 Picks were independently chosen by me, and without any compensation or influence from the manufacturers.