Create a thoughtful and inexpensive gift with these DIY Christmas Cookies in a Jar. Equipped with recipes and printable stickers and tags, you can give the homemade gift of the season!
Welcome to day 3 in the 2018 Sallyโs Cookie Palooza!
I launched the 6th annual Christmas cookie countdown this week. So far I’ve shared two Christmas cookie recipes including Peppermint Bark Cookies and Spritz Cookies. Today I’m sharing something differentโa cookie recipe you can gift.
Let’s make Christmas Cookies in a Jar!
I have two cookies in a jar recipes for you today: Chocolate Peppermint Cookies and Christmas M&M Cookies. You can make one or both for everyone on your gift list. Depends how much he/she likes chocolate! I’ve always loved cookies in a jar as Christmas presents, especially if you gift a baked batch along with the jar. Then the gift recipient will know what the cookies will taste like. Cookies in a jar are a thoughtful and inexpensive DIY gift for anyone who enjoys cookies… which I can only assume is everyone on your gift list!!!
How to Make Cookies in a Jar
Using my recipes below, layer the dry ingredients into jars. The gift recipient is responsible for adding the wet ingredients. I like layering the dry ingredients into the jars in a thoughtful way so each layer stands out. Dark (cocoa powder), light (sugar), dark (brown sugar), light (flour + baking soda + salt), and so on. Use a spoon to layer or, if you’re particular like I am, use a funnel so the layers are extra neat.
The carefully formulated cookie recipes fit into 32-ounce mason jars. Top with the lid and decorate with festive ribbons, a candy cane, or even a small ornament. Go simple or go big. It doesn’t take much crafty talent to tie a ribbon around the jar, I promise. ๐
The jars would make zero sense to the gift recipient without instructions for actually baking the cookies. For allergen reasons, I think it’s important to share the ingredients inside the jar as well as directions for baking the cookies. I have you covered!
Free Printable Tag Options
- Click this link for the PDF of pictured Christmas tags: Sallys Baking Addiction Christmas Cookies in a Jar Printable
- Click this link for the PDF of Christmas tags that include gram/metric: Christmas Cookie Jar Printables Sally’s Baking
- Click this link for the PDF of regular tags (include gram/metric): Cookie Jar Printables Sally’s Baking
Aren’t the tags so much fun? My dear friend Jess, who has the cutest Etsy shop designed the pictured tags. And team member Trina designed the tags that include gram/metric ingredients. I recommend printing the rectangle recipe cards on thick white paper, like card stock, and the circles on sticker adhesive paper. The circle stickers look adorable on the front of the jars or even placed on the lid. It prints out a full sheet of stickers, so you can use extras for cards, envelopes, gift tags, etc.
So… what do the final baked cookies look like? Eat your heart out!
I like using the Ghirardelli peppermint bark squares for the Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. Red and green M&Ms are perfectly festive for the Christmas M&M Cookies.
I loved both versions, but the chocolate peppermint cookies were absolutely insane. Some friends came over for dinner the day that I tested the recipe and all 2 dozen cookies were gone within 1 hour. Pretty sure that’s a record in my house.
Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes
Check out my 75+ favorite Christmas cookies, including:
- Pinwheel Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Cookie Icing
- Chocolate Crinkles
- Gingerbread Cookies & Gingerbread House
- Shortbread Cookies
Would love to know if you gift any cookies in a jar this holiday season! And if you’re looking for other gift ideas for the bakers in your life, be sure to check out my complete guide on Holiday Gifts for Bakers.
Print
Christmas Cookies in a Jar & Free Printable
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: each yields 1 jar
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Create a thoughtful and inexpensive gift with these DIY Christmas Cookies in a Jar. Equipped with recipes and printable stickers and tags, you can give the homemade gift of the season!
Ingredients
Christmas M&M Cookies in a Jar
- 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (100g) plain mini or regular size M&Ms
- *gift recipient will add: 10 Tablespoons (145g) softened unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies in a Jar
- 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flourย (spooned & leveled)
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (21g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (90g) chopped peppermint bark*
- *gift recipient will add: 10 Tablespoons (145g) softened unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
To make the jars:ย Whichever cookie jar recipe you’re making, combine the first 3 ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt). Now it’s time to layer the ingredients inย 32-ounce mason jars. I suggest layering the dry ingredients into the jars in a thoughtful way so each layer stands out. Dark (cocoa powder), light (granulated sugar), dark (brown sugar), light (flour + baking soda + salt), dark (chocolate chips), then the peppermint bark or M&Ms. Use a spoon to layer or, if you’re particular like I am, use a funnelย so the layers are extra neat. Seal the lids, decorate with ribbon, and gift with the free printable tags.
To bake the cookies:ย In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, egg, and vanilla extract together on high speed until combined. Don’t worry if the egg isn’t fully combining with the butter; it’ll all come together with the dry ingredients. Add all of the jar ingredients and mix on low speed until combined. Cookie dough does NOT require chilling. Drop by rounded Tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper or silicone baking mat lined baking sheets, about 3 inches apart. Bake in aย 350ยฐF (177ยฐC) ovenย for about 10 minutes until the edges are set. Each recipe yields about 2 dozen cookies.ย Cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Cookie dough balls freeze well for up to 3 months. Here’s how to freeze cookie dough.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: Jars can be prepped a few months or weeks ahead of time, though after a month the ingredients begin to settle down into one another, so the layers don’t stand out quite as much.
- Special Tools (affiliate links):ย 32-ounce Mason Jars | Funnel |ย Adhesive Sticker Paper (for round stickers) | Card Stock (for tags) | Optional items for decorating jars like Candy Canes and Ribbon
- Peppermint Bark: I like using the Ghirardelli peppermint bark squares for the Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.
Reader Comments and Reviews
when sealing the lids do you have to do anything speacil to them or just screw them on?
Hi Mal, you can just screw them on. Hope they’re a hit!
Has anyone made these using mimi M&M?
Hi Nancy, mini M&Ms work great here!
What about gf flour what are changes for that
Hi Monica, we havenโt tested these with a 1:1 gluten free flour substitute, but let us know if you do!
Recipe easy to follow.. Makes a great gift, whether it’s for Christmas, birthdays or any occasion.
I found the most beautiful 800ml Christmas jars. Would that fit? Or are your 32 ounce Mason jars full to the brim?
Hi Juli, The 32 oz jars are filled to the top so 800 ml jars would be a little too small.
Question – would gluten free flour work in this recipe?
Hi Wendy, we havenโt tested these with a 1:1 gluten free flour substitute, but let us know if you do!
How do I get the tag for reviewed and stickers
Hi Elaine, see post above under “Free Printable Tag Options” for a few different options.
Your cookie recipes are FANTASTIC!
Hi, these sound amazing and will be making these for presents this year. My niece however has coeliac disease, would it be possible to substitute the flour to make them gluten free? Would they turn out as well as the normal ones?
Hi Katie, we haven’t tested these with a 1:1 gluten free flour substitute, but let us know if you do!
Do you have other cookie recipes that I could turn into a mason jar gift? Your recipes always turn out so yummy!
Hi Brooke, These are the only two we have at this time. Although you could certainly package the dry ingredients of many different cookie recipes and make your own tags if you wish!