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glass jar with ingredients for cookies decorated with ribbon and a recipe card

Christmas Cookies in a Jar & Free Printable

  • Author: Sally
  • 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 flour (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: Whichever cookie jar recipe you’re making, combine the first 3 ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt). Now it’s time to layer the ingredients in 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 funnel so the layers are extra neat. Seal the lids, decorate with ribbon, and gift with the free printable tags.

To bake the cookies: 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 a 350°F (177°C) oven for about 10 minutes until the edges are set. Each recipe yields about 2 dozen cookies. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Special Tools (affiliate links): 32-ounce Mason Jars | FunnelAdhesive Sticker Paper (for round stickers) | Card Stock (for tags) | Optional items for decorating jars like Candy Canes and Ribbon
  3. Peppermint Bark: I like using the Ghirardelli peppermint bark squares for the Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.

Keywords: Christmas cookies in a jar