A fun gift in a jar for friends with kids is cookies, it is something that they can do together so this gift would increase bonding. Here are a few ideas that the cookie jars can be paired with if you want to go a step or two further. Paired with a kids holiday book, or maybe print out some holiday poems, so they can read while enjoying their fresh cookies. A holiday apron is an idea to gift with these as well. A Bowl and wisk or wooden spoon.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Combine the flour, baking soda, white sugar, and the chocolate chips. Place 1/2 of the mixture in a clean quart sized glass jar, and pack firmly. Place the brown sugar on top, again packing firmly. Place the remaining flour mixture on top. Cover with a lid.

Attach an index card with the following directions:

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separate bowl combine 3/4 cup of butter, 1 1/2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture. Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

Makes 2 dozen.

M&M’s Cookie Mix

• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups M&M candies (use red and green for Christmas)
• 2 cups flour mixed with 1/2 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Layer ingredients in order given in 1-quart wide-mouth canning jar. Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredient.

For the Label

M&M’s Cookies

Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix.
Add: 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, not diet, very soft,1 egg, slightly beaten, 1 tsp. vanilla (opt.) Mix until completely blended. You will need to finish mixing with your hands. Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Place 2 inches apart on sprayed baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies

Candy Bar Cookies

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 tsp. powdered vanilla
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup candy bar chunks (Reese’s peanut butter cups, Butterfinger bars, white or milk chocolate chunks)

Mix the flour, baking soda, and powdered vanilla, pour in to jar, layer sugar, brown sugar, then candy bar chunks
Attach this to the Jar

Candy Bar Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter or margarine, softened
1 large egg
1 package Candy Bar Cookie Mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is smooth. Add the egg, and continue beating until the egg is combined. Add the Candy Cookie Mix and? blend on low just until the cookie mix is incorporated. Form the cookies into 1 1/2-inch balls & place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden on the edges. Remove from oven, and cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes.

Makes 3 dozen cookies

There are many more ideas for cookies, just use your imagination or maybe your favorite recipe can be layered in to a jar. Do you have a recipe you have for cookies in a jar to share? I would love to see it.