Give the gift of cookies that they can enjoy whenever the mood strikes them. An easy gingerbread cookie mix in a jar makes a great teacher gift this Christmas and holiday season.
Christmas is right around the corner, and that can only mean one thing: Run through the mall scanning the shelves for random gifts to throw into your cart for all those people you still have left to buy for, right? Okay, so I try to avoid the mall at all cost this time of year. I haven’t even stepped foot inside one in weeks, and I have still managed to cross just about everyone off my list, and those that remain are the ones who will be receiving plenty of homemade gifts, many of the edible variety, like this one. Last year we did gingerbread pancakes and hot chocolate. This year, I have a few more up my sleeve.
The other day when I showed you just how versatile gingerbread cookie dough was? Well, I forgot one thing. It also makes a lovely jar mix. This is the same recipe from the other day, just repurposed as an edible gift for someone you love.
Plus, I made a printable for the labels. You’re impressed, aren’t you? (Truthfully, Mandi helped me work out the kinks.)
If the preview above is not working for you, click here to download this free printable.
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 tablespoon ground ginger
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup packed muscovado or dark brown sugar
Additions:
small containers of sprinkles
cookie cutter
In a small bowl, mix together 1 3/4 cups flour and the ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves and nutmeg. Add in an even layer to the jar. Layer the brown sugar, followed by the remaining 1 3/4 cups flour. Top the jar with the lid and decorate.
For the label:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
Mix together butter, eggs and molasses. Stir in the contents of the jar until incorporated. Chill the dough for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350º F. Roll out gingerbread dough and cut into shapes and then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges just start to brown. Allow to cool completely. Decorate with icing and sprinkles.
Makes 1 gingerbread cookie mix
Total cuteness! Where did you find those jars?
The jars are from Weck Canning. I adore them. I have a bit of an obsession.
I may be a little biased, but I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! :-)I. WONDERFUL!
I love this idea, so perfect for teachers. Love those jars too!
Totally love this idea (and those jars!)
very cute and I love the Weck jars
Love this! And I love the beautiful twine you used on your gift jars, too! 😀
Thanks for the great gift idea! I love the jar too
I always want to do gifts like this, they really are a nice way of celebrating the holidays without spending huge amounts of money. I need to get my act together next year!
Such a great {and easy} idea for the holidays! Darling!
What an awesome gift this would be to receive. I love those Weck jars too!
Oh I love this Shaina!! just pinned it too!
love these! I am featuring this on my Facebook fan page today
Such lovely jars! I did cowboy cookie mix last year, so this year I’m definitely trying yours. Love the cookie cutter you added too; brilliant!!
Cute, practical, and personal. Great idea, Shaina!
Clever idea, the cookie cutter the jar the ties the whole package is so lovely. A thoughtful gift indeed.
That is GREAT! I never thought of putting a cookie cutter on there. Awesome!
The labels on top are the perfect finishing touch!
An adorable gift and printable labels – love this, Shaina! I know how happy I would be if someone arrived on my doorstep to deliver one of these gifts to me.
Great gift idea!
Gorgeous idea, Shaina! Love those jars!
This is such a great idea!! Especially for those people that love goodies. And, btw, love those jars!! And this recipe.
These are so adorable! Perfect for gifting to so many people. Thanks for the lovely idea and the free printable!!
I am a sucker for anything in a Weck Jar and this is no exception! Love this idea!
Perfect for gifting to so many people. Thanks for the lovely idea and the free printable!!
I have a question – has anyone else had trouble fitting all the ingredients into the jar? I’m using the wide-mouth quart-sized Ball jars, and can’t get all of the last layer of flour in. I packed each layer down, but am wondering if your Weck jars are bigger somehow?
Thanks – it’s such a cute idea and looks great in the jar! If I can only make it fit!
Hi, Deborah. Weck jars are slightly larger; however, I did not pack down the brown sugar and flour as much to make up for it, and while you can’t tell in the photo, there is some headspace at the top between the last layer of flour and the lid. I also tested by transferring the Weck jar directly to a Ball 1-quart jar, and it fit fine. It’s a tight fit, and the brown sugar and flour need to be packed in, but they do, in fact, fit. I might suggest being careful as to how you measure the flour. Try scooping it into the cup rather than using the measuring cup as the scoop. This will help ensure your cup of flour isn’t already packed prior to adding it to the jar. I hope this helps!
I just went back and really squished down the top layer and was able to fit the rest of the flour in. Whew! Yes, I do use a separate scoop to put the flour into my measuring cup – now I know just to pack it down more!
What a great idea with such beautiful presentation!
Warmly, Michelle
Love the printable & the cookie mix for gifts. Shaina you are so talented!
Love everything about these! I can’t wait to make some for my friends 😀
Sweet packaging, Shaina! What a fun gift.
What a delicious idea for the holidays! Thanks for sharing!
I love these jar ideas, and the lables are great!
I’ve been wanting to make gingerbread cookies! Wish I had this mix!
I’d love for you to stop by today and link up at my Friday Favorites party! Today is a special Christmas edition with a giveaway!
I made a label that’s rectangular, for those who don’t want to use the round one. I thought I’d share. 🙂
You can find it at http://people.virginia.edu/~rrc4s/gingerbread-cookie-labels.pdf
Thank you for the great idea!
JXEogn yndnadcmorez
This looks great. It is beautiful for giving away as gifts and is pretty affordable to make too. Leave all the hard work (baking in the kitchen) to the other person, hehe.
What a cute idea! I love that you included the cookie cutter. Thoughtful touch and it makes it so much more festive. I know just the person I want to give this to!
I did this for xmas gifts this year and it turned out SO cute! I used the Ball jars and it just barely fit all of the ingredients after I packed down the brown sugar and flour. Then I printed out the labels you made and taped them on the front of the jar, and made a little label for the top of the jar “Merry Christmas from the Browns!”
One thing I wanted to note here is that salt is on the ingredients list but its not on the directions for making the mixture. MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE THE SALT!!
Thanks for sharing ‘foodformyfamily’ 🙂 Very cute!
i wish i could pin this so i can remember it! great idea, will be doing it this year for sure!
Hi Shaina,
Thanks for a great recipe. We just finished decorating the cutouts we made with this recipe – we love them. I’ve linked to you on my website and will be including this idea on a TV show I’m doing on Gifts from the Kitchen. I’m at http://www.gettystewart.com
I’m so glad to hear you liked them! Thank you for coming back to let me know and for featuring them!
Hi Shaina
When you say “softened” butter does that mean you have left it to soften to room temperature or do you melt the butter?
Softened to room temperature. 🙂
Hello Again,
Here’s our blog post including photos and a link to the TV show where I talk about all sorts of gifts in a jar. Thanks again for the Gingerbread recipe, Shaina. http://www.gettystewart.com/cookie-mixes-in-a-jar/
Hi! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok.
I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
Gingerbread Cookies transformed into mason jars and boxes! No cookie cutter, mixer or any other special equipment required to make these. Fill with goodies for a completely edible homemade gift! Tip: The Mason Jars are easier to make because they don t require constructing! This recipe makes either 2 boxes or 2 mason jars.