Gifts in a Jar…for Xmas!

[Guest]

I know there are alot of ppl out there that are either single parents

or are living on a fixed income and can not spend alot of money on

gifts for xmas.

I came across this and thought I would share it with all of you.

Give you some ideas. I too am on a fixed income and have used many

of these for gifts and the ppl I gave them to as gifts loved them!

Plus they are easy and cheap enough to make. You can get most of the

stuff at the “Dollar Store”.

Cappuccino Mix in a Jar recipe

Makes two 12-ounce jars.

1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer

1 cup powdered chocolate drink mix

2/3 cup instant coffee granules

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Have ready 2 (12-ounce) canning jars. Put the instant coffee into a

food processor, and process to a fine powder. If you don’t have a

food processor, put it into a large plastic bag, and crush with a

rolling pin.

In a large bowl, combine creamer, chocolate mix, instant coffee,

sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir together until well mixed. Spoon

into the jars.

Attach a note to each jar:

Cappuccino:

Mix 3 tablespoons of powder with 6 fluid ounces hot water.

Makes 16 servings.

.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar recipe

1/3 cup light brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons powdered vanilla

1/4 cup cocoa

2 1/2 cups powdered milk

Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Place in an airtight

jar.

Attach these instructions to the jar:

Mexican Hot Chocolate:

Serves 6

3 cups water

Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix (to taste)

Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Heat the water to boiling and add the Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix. Stir

with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. Garnish with cinnamon

sticks.

For a frothier hot chocolate, mix in a blender.

.

Spicy Raspberry Tea Mix in a Jar recipe

3/4 cup instant tea, unsweetened

4 (.23 ounce) packets raspberry-flavored unsweetened drink mix

2 tablespoons lemonade drink mix

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon allspice

Stir all ingredients in mixing bowl with wire whisk. Transfer mixture

to 1-pint wide-mouth jar. If jar is full, gently tap bottom of jar on

palm of hand to settle mix. Seal jar.

Decorate jar and attach the following instructions on a gift tag:

Spiced Raspberry Tea:

Makes 1 (6 ounce) serving.

1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons Spiced Raspberry Tea Mix

6 ounces boiling water

Fresh raspberries (optional)

Fresh orange slice (optional)

Sprig of fresh mint (optional)

Combine jar mix with boiling water. Adjust amount of mix to your

taste. Stir to dissolve mix. Serve hot or add ice for refreshing hot

weather cooler. Garnish with fresh raspberries, orange slice and mint

sprig.

.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Mix in a Jar recipe

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup dried bananas, finely chopped

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 1/2 cups Bisquick

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Layer ingredients in a wide-mouth 1-quart canning jar in order given.

Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredient.

Attach a gift tag with the following instructions:

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, place the contents of this jar. Make a well in the

center. Mix 1 1/4 cups milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 eggs

(slightly beaten) and 1/2 cup butter or margarine (softened) into dry

mixture. Stir until completely blended. Spoon the batter into a large

loaf pan that is well greased with wax paper in the bottom. Bake for

1 hour or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in

the pan on a wire rack before removing.

.

Crazy Cake Mix in a Jar recipe

1 (1-quart) wide-mouth canning jar

2 cups flour

2/3 cup cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, cocoa powder and baking powder.

Layer ingredients in jar in order. Secure with lid, decorated or

undecorated.

Give as a gift with the following instructions attached:

Crazy Cake:

Contents of gift jar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups water

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Stir cake ingredients together using a wire whisk or fork, making

certain that all ingredients are completely mixed together. Bake for

35 minutes.

Frost as desired or serve sprinkled with confectioners sugar with

fresh fruit on the side.

.

Friendship Cake and Starter recipe

1-gallon jar

1 cup canned cubed pineapple

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons brandy

1 cup maraschino cherries, including juice

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons brandy

1 cup sliced canned peaches, including juice

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons brandy

Cake:

1 (18.25 ounce) box cake mix (flavor desired)

1 small box instant pudding (flavor to compliment cake mix)

3/8 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

1 cup chopped nuts

1 portion fruit

In the one gallon jar, combine the pineapple, 1 cup sugar and 2

tablespoons of brandy. Let ingredients sit in jar for 2 weeks,

stirring daily.

At the end of two weeks, add the maraschino cherries, 1 cup of sugar

and 2 tablespoons of brandy. Let the mixture sit for two more weeks,

stirring daily.

During the forth week add the canned peaches, 1 cup of sugar and 2

tablespoons of brandy. Let sit another two weeks, stirring daily.

Separate the liquid from the fruit. The liquid is your starter and

you can use the fruit on ice cream or cake.

Now you are ready to prepare the fruit for two cakes. do not

refrigerate the liquid.

in a large gallon jar, put 1 1/2 cups of the starter, 2 1/2 cups of

sugar and 1 (28 ounce) can sliced peaches. Mix well and cover jar

with a paper towel. Do not refrigerate or screw lid on jar. Stir

every day for 10 days.

Next, add 2 1/2 cups of sugar and 1 can (16 ounce) crushed pineapple.

Stir every day for 10 days.

Add 2 1/2 cups sugar and 1 (16 ounce) can fruit cocktail. Slice

contents of 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries and add with juice.

Stir every day for 10 days.

On baking day, drain the fruit and divide it into two equal parts.

Save the juice and use it as starter for friends. You will have

enough for five starters (approximately 2 cups each). do not

refrigerate the liquid because it will stop the fermenting action.

to each cake mix, add pudding mix, oil, and eggs. beat until smooth

and fold in fruit and nuts (batter will be thick). pour mixture into

a greased tube pan, then bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.

Turn cake out of pan while hot. When cooled, the cake freezes well.

The choices of flavored cake mixes and pudding mixes is yours and

coconut may be substituted for nuts.

Makes 5 cakes with starter to give as a gift with each cake.

.

Holiday Gift Cake recipe

8 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 (8 ounce) jar well-drained, chopped maraschino cherries

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a Bundt pan.

Blend cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla extract. Add eggs one

at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add 2 cups of

flour, sifted with baking powder.

Combine remaining flour with cherries and 1/2 cup nuts; fold into

batter. Sprinkle prepared Bundt pan with 1/2 cup nuts. Pour batter

into pan. Bake for 1 hour 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes.

Remove from pan.

Glaze:

1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar

2 tablespoons milk

Mix confectioners sugar and milk.

.

Taffy Apple Cookies Mix in a Jar recipe

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips

1 cup dried apples

Stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in mixing

bowl. Add ingredients to 1-quart wide-mouth jar in following order:

flour mixture, brown sugar, butterscotch chips and apples. Seal jar.

Decorate jar and attach a gift tag with the following instructions:

Taffy Apple Cookies:

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1 egg

1 jar Taffy Apple Cookies Mix

1 cup caramel apple dip

1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat butter and peanut butter in large bowl at medium speed of

electric mixer until smooth. Add egg and jar mix. Beat until well

blended.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonsful 2 inches apart onto baking

sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool

cookies 2 minutes on cookie sheets. Remove to wire rack and cool

completely.

Spread about 1 teaspoon caramel apple dip on each cookie. Sprinkle

with peanuts.

.

Snow Balls in a Jar recipe

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped pecans

In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners sugar and flour. Place

into a 1-quart canning jar. Put the chopped pecans on top. Seal well.

Attach the following instructions to a gift tag:

Snow Balls:

Heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.

In a medium bowl, cream together 3/4 cup shortening and 1/4 cup

butter or margarine. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Add the

entire contents of the jar and mix well. Roll dough into 1-inch balls

and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 20 to 25

minutes, until lightly browned. Cool, and roll in confectioners sugar.

Makes 4 dozen.

.

Sweet Potato Cookies Mix in a Jar recipe

Layer the following in a quart-size jar:

1 cup whole-wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

3 tablespoons wheat germ

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 1/4 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup chopped nuts

1/4 cup grated coconut

Attach the following recipe on a gift tag:

Sweet Potato Cookies:

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cream 1/3 cup softened butter and 1/3 cup honey together in bowl;

beat in 1 egg. Stir in contents of jar and 1 cup shredded sweet

potato; mix well. Drop dough by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet, and cool on

rack.

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Preparation and Presentation Ideas

Labeling gifts: Buy pretty decorative labels for your homemade gifts.

Include with the name important information on storing and serving.

To clean empty bottles, fill them half full of water. Add 1

tablespoon baking soda and shake well. Let stand for 1 hour and then

rinse thoroughly.

Save empty wine, liqueur, vinegar, olive oil, chili sauce, pancake

syrup, spaghetti sauce and salad dressing bottles throughout the year

and fill them with your homemade versions for gift giving. Decorate

by tying plaid or colored ribbon around the neck.

Recipe Gift Cards:

Spray mount adhesive

Hole punch

3 (3 x 5) unruled white index cards

Felt-tip marker, coordinated color

1/4 yard glazed small print chintz

3 (8-inch) lengths 1/4-inch satin

fabric ribbon, coordinated to fabric color

X-Acto knife

Spray one side of each card with adhesive and press down to wrong

side of fabric. Turn fabric over and smooth out any creases or lumps.

Trim fabric to edge of cards with X-Acto knife. Fold cards in half

with fabric on outside. Punch hole through both sides, near upper

left corner. Open cards and write appropriate recipe or instructions

for the type of gift. Close cards, thread ribbon through each hole,

and attach to necks of bottles, basket handles, etc.

Mrs. Butterworth’s Syrup Bottle:

1 empty bottle Mrs. Butterworth’s

maple syrup, without label

1/4 yard small check brown gingham

Felt tip fabric marker

Fill bottle with homemade syrup using a funnel for easy pouring.

Screw on cap. Wash and dry outside of bottle and cap. From gingham

cut a 7-inch square, a 4 x 10-inch strip, and a 1 1/2 x 15-inch

strip. Fold 7-inch square diagonally into a triangle and press. Fold

4 x 10-inch strip in half to a 4 x 5-inch rectangle. Press with fold

at top. Fold 1 1/2 x 15-inch strip in half, lengthwise to a 3/4 x 15-

inch band. Press.

Tie triangle bandana-style over bottle cap, tucking pointed end under

tied ends at back of bottle’s head. On the 4 x 5-inch fabric, fold

back top layer (which will be the apron front). On the inside write

with marker on lower half of fabric the following:

(your name)’s (food item name)

Heat and serve warm over pancakes or waffles.

Top with toasted walnuts, sliced bananas, or chopped apple.

Tie apron around bottle by slipping folded edge of 15-inch band under

folded edge of 4 x 5-inch rectangle. With apron centered on band, tie

around waist, with bow at back of bottle.

Fabric Bag: (for pancake mixes, etc.)

1 (11 x 40-inch) piece of fabric

With right sides of cloth together and matching short edges, fold

fabric in half. Finger press folded edge (bottom of bag. Using a 1/4-

inch seam allowance and thread to match fabric, sew sides of bag

together. Press top edge of bag 1/4-inch to the wrong side. Press 1/2-

inch to the wrong side again and stitch in place.

For a bag with a flat bottom, match each side seam to fold line at

bottom of bag; sew across each corner 1 inch from point. Turn bag

right side out. Pour mix into bag and close the top of the bag with a

pretty ribbon.

Attach the recipe for the mix to the bag.

Kelly in IL

[Author]

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