GIFTS IN A JAR

Here they are! Aren't they pretty? I made a dozen quart jars with brownie mix in them and six each of two different drink mixes in pint jars. I have friends who love coffee drinks but don't care for cocoa and vice versa. Since I first mentioned these jars so many people have emailed me for more information I thought I'd just share with everyone this way.

The basic instructions in my little recipe books are to layer the ingredients in the order they're given in the recipe. When I was making the brownie mix jars I quickly realized all the layering would drive me nuts so I decided to mix all the dry ingredients and do the layering at the top of the jar with the pretty ingredients (coconut, chocolate chips and chopped pecans). So my brownie mix jars look like this. I think it's OK since the main thing is that they taste good and I don't think you can go wrong with these ingredients!



You'll need little cards to write the instructions for making the mixes. I found these cute little cards for fifty cents per pack of six at Michael's.



So I'm giving this as gifts to my family and friends - one jar of cocoa or cappuccino mix and one jar of brownie mix, the instruction cards and two of the Stanta star ornaments I made. I chose the gold and silver shiny stars because they match the fabrics I used on the lids.



Before I share the recipes, here are some basic instructions.

You must use wide mouth jars because you'll be putting your hand inside to press the ingredients down as you go.

It's not important with the pint size drink mixes but if you make the brownie mix in the quart jars, it's important to press the layers down as firmly as you can. Otherwise, the ingredients will not fit.

I honestly thought it was just fine to mix all the dry ingredients in the brownies and then just put the coconut, chocolate chips and pecans on top. It's all going to get mixed together in a big bowl anyway. But I'll give you the recipe the way it's written in my book and let you decide how you want to do it.

First the drink mixes:

FLAVORED COCOA MIX IN A PINT JAR

Flavors: Amaretto, Hazelnut, Vanilla, Irish Creme

Ingredients for Jar

Mix the following 3 ingredients in a small bowl:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons flavored powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup dry milk

1/2 cup chocolate flavored drink mix (like Quik)

(flavored coffee creamer is available in several flavors including the ones listed above)

Place Indredients in Jar in This Order:

Place half the milk mixture into jar.
Place half the chocolate drink mix into the jar next.
Add the remaining milk mixture.
Add the remaining chocolate drink mix.
Decorate the jar.
Attach recipe below to jar. Name cocoa by the flavor you chose.

______ Cocoa

1. Empty cocoa mix into a large mixing bowl.


2. Blend very well with a whisk.


3. Place mix back into jar or a container of your choice.


4. Place 2 tablespoons mix into a cup. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until completely dissolved.


5. Top with whipped cream if desired.

CREAMY CAPPUCCINO MIX IN A PINT JAR

Flavors: Amaretto, Hazelnut, Vanilla, Mocha Almond and Irish Creme

Ingredients for Jar

Mix the following 3 ingredients in a medium bowl:

1/3 cup dry milk
2/3 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar ( regular white sugar, not powdered)
2/3 cup flavored powdered coffee creamer

1/3 cup instant coffee

Place Ingredients in Jar in This Order:

Place half the milk mixture into the jar first.
Place coffee into the jar next, spreading evenly.
Add remaining milk mixture.
Decorate jar.
Attach recipe below to jar. Name coffee by the flavor you chose.

Creamy ______ Cappuccino

1. Empty coffee mix into a large mixing bowl.


2. Blend very well with a whisk.


3. Place mix back into jar or a container of your choice.


4. Place 2 tablespoons mix into a cup. Add one cup of boiling water and stir until mixture is completely dissolved.


5. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Now for the brownie mix recipe:

GERMAN CHOCOLATE BROWNIE MIX IN A JAR

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup cocoa powder (not drink mix, I used Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder)
3/4 cup more sugar
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1 cup flour mixed with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt

Layer ingredients in order given in a 1 quart wide mouth canning jar. Press each layer firmly in place. Clean inside of jar with a paper towel after adding cocoa powder. Press flour in to jar last - adding in two portions, pressing in very firmly.

Decorate jar and attach the following recipe:

German Chocolate Brownies

1. Empty jar of brownie mix in a large mixing bowl. Blend thoroughly.


2. Add 2 sticks butter or margarine (melted), 4 eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla.


3. Mix until well blended


4. Spread batter into a sprayed 9 X 13-inch pan.


5. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.


6. Cool. Cut into squares. Makes 24 to 30 brownies.

I just gave my friend Sheri her Christmas gift today and she was so pleased with it. My stars are already hanging on her tree and she's making the brownies when her family arrives next week. I tell you, giving her a gift I made felt nice.

And these are very, very economical. That works for me!