| Gifts in jars provide a practical gift idea for family | | | | "scoop some out" or use heaping cups, your mix |
| and friends. They are so easy to put together, | | | | will not fit into your jar! Gifts in a jar recipes have |
| but look very complicated and lavish. And better | | | | all been created specifically to fit into a quart jar. |
| than that? They're cheap. | | | | During the layering process, as you add each |
| What are gifts in jars, though? Great question. | | | | ingredient one at a time, go slow and take your |
| They are simply a dry mix for something like | | | | time. Each layer needs to be leveled out and |
| muffins, soups, breads, cookies, cakes, etc. all | | | | packed down with a wooden spoon, to make |
| layered beautifully into a quart canning jar. There | | | | room for future layers. Things like brown sugar or |
| are some fantastic recipes out there that make | | | | raisins will smash down nicely, so be sure to take |
| this job easy. During Christmas time, it might be | | | | advantage of these soft ingredients! |
| more fun to prepare a mix for a special hot | | | | Finally, when your mix has been packed in and |
| chocolate or hot beverage; while summertime is | | | | you are totally finished with it, place the lid and |
| definitely more of a cookie-mix time. | | | | band on the top. This is the fun part for creative |
| First, you'll need a quart canning jar; along with a | | | | people ~ use fabric, ribbons, and stickers to add |
| lid and band for the top. Wash it thoroughly and | | | | some pizazz to your gift! Make sure you label |
| dry. You should let it air dry overnight just to | | | | your mix so that the recipients of your gift will |
| make sure you get rid of any excess moisture. | | | | know what it is. For fun, turn an ordinary name |
| Remember, if you have even one water drop | | | | into something fun and different; for example, |
| that doesn't get dried, brown sugar and nuts will | | | | instead of Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, call it "Sweet'n |
| go stale and hard in there later. Ugh. | | | | Spicy Oatmeal Chewies" or something like that. |
| Second, you should choose a recipe. There are | | | | Creative names are half of the food's taste! |
| several teriffic recipes for dry mixes on the web. | | | | Have fun making gifts in jars ~ be creative and |
| After you've chosen your recipe, you need to | | | | watch your friends eyes pop when they see the |
| follow it - to a tee. If it says to measure 2 cups | | | | beautiful creation you've made for them! |
| of flour, measure exactly 2 cups. If you just | | | | |