This Cookie Mix in a Jar is the perfect way to give someone a shortcut to homemade cookies. A delicious and festive gift!
Simply fill a jar with pre-measured dry ingredients and give the jar as a gift along with instructions for baking. Choose from M&M cookies or chocolate chip cookies.
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Why make cookie mix in a jar
This is a thoughtful and affordable gift that is perfect any time of year. Who doesn’t love freshly baked cookies? These jars are made with pantry staples, making them cost a fraction of what you’d pay for store bought cookie jars.
I especially love this gift for kids! Kids can assemble them and give them as gifts, or you can gift them to kids and they can make homemade cookies with minimal effort.
Ingredients needed
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- M&M’s and/or chocolate chips
How to Make Cookies in a Jar
To assemble the jars, all you do is measure the dry ingredients and layer them in a jar. It couldn’t be simpler!
You can layer them in any order you choose. I like the flour, leavening, and salt on the bottom. I put some chocolate chips/M&M’s in the middle and some on top.
Assembly tips
- It is important that your ingredients are layered into the jars carefully so that the layers don’t mix too much; this makes for a prettier presentation.
- Roll up a paper plate to use as a funnel to cleanly add the bottom layer into the jar.
- Use a spoon to carefully add the M&M’s and chocolate chips. Don’t dump them in too quickly or they’ll sink.
- Use fresh ingredients to ensure the best quality cookies.
- Attach the printable recipe card with the jar for easy baking.
- Decorate the jar with fabric and/or ribbon. I use a 6.5 inch circle of fabric.
Prefer to bake cookies?
Skip the jars and make our M&M Cookies or Chocolate Chip Cookies.
More holiday treats
Recipe
Cookie Mix In A Jar
Ingredients
- 1⅔ cups all purpose flour, spooned into the measuring cup and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1⅓ cups M&M's and/or chocolate chips, see note
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1-quart Mason jar
Instructions
Assembling jars:
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Pour into the bottom of a 1-quart mason jar (I roll up a paper plate to use as a funnel). After this you can layer the remaining ingredients however you'd like. I usually top the flour mixture with granulated sugar, followed by 1 cup of M&M's/chocolate chips, brown sugar, and remaining ⅓ cup M&M's/chocolate chips. Be sure to spoon the ingredients in gently so they stay layered. Seal with the lid and decorate with ribbon and/or fabric (see note).
Recipe to include with the jar (printable version in notes):
- In a large bowl, whisk ½ cup of melted and cooled unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Add the contents of the jar and gently stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until combined. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Scoop 2-tablespoon portions of dough. Place the dough balls onto parchment lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers of the cookies are slightly underdone. Place baking sheets on racks and cool completely. Tip: For prettier cookies, use the back of a spoon to shape the edges of the cookies when they come out of the oven.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Shirley says
Hi, would you think that this recipe would still work if I added some nuts into the jar as well? Thanks!
Allison says
Sure! You can swap some of the M&M’s for nuts. Enjoy!
katelyn says
how long can the cookie mix be in the jar?
Allison says
I recommend baking within 2 months (assuming all of the ingredients are fresh).
Karen Castonguay says
Hello, is it 1/2 cup or 1 cup (total) of unsalted butter in the recipe?
Allison says
1/2 cup
Kelly says
It says half a cup melted butter.
Michelle says
what size Mason Jar? 12oz? or 16oz?
Allison says
A one quart jar is 32 oz.
Laura McCauley says
Not sure you can answer this, but what is the approx. cost to make 1 jar? I am looking for staff gifts for work – approx. 65. and my budget is only $4 a person.
Allison says
I don’t have that information. It would depend on how much your actual ingredients cost.
ADEANAH POOLER says
I made 7 jars tonight and used 3 bags of 19 ounce MM’S that cost $4.50 a piece from Walmart. You can quart size jars from the dollar store but I bought a 12 pack from Walmart for like $9. All the other ingredients I had at home.
Grace says
Hi Allison,
To make these gluten free, is it just a simple straight swap of the flour with gluten free flour?
Allison says
You *should* be able to swap an equal amount of 1:1 gluten free flour blend. I haven’t tried it with this recipe specifically, but that is usually what I do.
rena says
hi! how long will these stay good before baking?
Allison says
I say up to 2 months for best results.
Jaime says
How far in advance can I prepare these cookie jars?
Allison says
They stay good for a couple months (assuming all of your ingredients are fresh).
Alicia says
Hi there, great recipe. Can’t wait to try these for Christmas.
I had a question, how far in advanced can I put the ingredients in the jar before gifting them to people?
Thank you so much!!
Allison says
You can make them a couple weeks in advance, just make sure your ingredients are fresh and that you seal the jars well.
Lesley Tiley says
Easy to make and great recipe for kids
Ecky says
Hi.. I am making this to give to husband’s colleagues, do you think I can add 1/2 cup of oats in this recipe just to make it a bit healthier haha. Should I adjust the recipe if I add the oats?
Allison says
I would not tweak the ingredients unless you test it (actually making the cookies from the mix). If you just add oats without reducing another dry ingredient the dough will be dry and crumbly.
Awalk says
Ecky – YES, you can add 1/2 cup of oats, but not more! Leave everything else the same. Just press a little more firmly when putting the dough together on the baking sheet. I test baked before putting the jar and wanted oats! I did 1/2C oats, 1/2C M&Ms, & 1/2C Chocolate chips. Also, it will all fit in the quart jar as well. One note, I forgot to chill my dough before baking but would recommend with the extra ingredient. Enjoy; Alison has a solid recipe.