Cookies in a Jar and Brownie Mix in a Jar Recipes Activity

This craft is a fun activity for you and your kids with the bonus of a great gift for teachers, family, and friends. Kids as young as 2 can participate in this activity, while great for teens too.  Sand Art gifts are fun to make and receive.

Sand Art Packing Tips:

Most of the cookie and brownie varieties of mix-in-a-jar recipes will fit into a 1-quart or 1-liter wide-mouth canning jar.

The key is packing the ingredients in as tightly as possible.  If packed down ingredients properly in the jar, will lose volume and all of the ingredients will be able to fit. Careful packing is the key.

After placing one ingredient in the jar, press it down with a utensil with a fairly wide flat bottom. Repeat after each ingredient, especially after adding ingredients like brown sugar, flour, oats, nuts, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, shredded coconut and dried fruits.

• White sugar will seep down into layered items like colored candies, chocolate chips, nuts, etc. It’s better to put white sugar below these ingredients.
• All-purpose flour and confectioners’ sugar also have the same seeping problem, so follow the guidelines for white sugar.
• The layers will stand out most if you pack the highly contrasting items next to each other.
  Steps to Give

Card your Sand Art Cookies in a Jar and Brownie Mix in a Jar

Remember to include a card listing the recipe’s ingredients and instructions.  If you include the recipe, your recipient can make the gift again and again!

Shelve your Sand Art Cookies in a Jar and Brownie Mix in a Jar

If stored in a cool, dry and dark place, your gift can last for up to 6 months, as long as all of the ingredients used to make it were fresh. If the mix contains nuts, it should be used within 3 months.

Sand Art Brownie Recipe

Ingredients & Materials

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-quart canning jar with lid
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• Child’s blunt-tip safety scissors
• Fabric (choose seasonal fabric if giving a holiday gift)
• Ribbon
• Pen
• Decorative tag
• 1/2 cup butterscotch or peanut butter chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix the flour with the salt in a small bowl.
2. Help your child layer the ingredients in the jar, beginning with the flour/salt mixture, continuing in order, and ending with the white chocolate chips. (You may not need as many chips if there’s little room left in the jar.)
3. Screw on the lid.
4. Cut a circle of fabric about 4 inches wider than the diameter of the jar.
5. Tie the fabric circle around the lid with ribbon.
6. Write the following directions on a decorative tag: “Sand Art Brownies: Combine the contents of the jar with 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3/4 cup vegetable oil, and 4 eggs. Beat until just mixed. Pour into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes.
7. Attach the tag to the jar.
8. If you like, substitute butterscotch or peanut butter chips for either of the chocolate chips.

Butterscotch Chip Cookies in a Jar

Ingredients & Materials

• 1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup high protein crisp rice and wheat cereal
• 3/4 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• Child’s blunt-tip safety scissors
• Fabric (choose seasonal fabric if giving a holiday gift)
• Ribbon
• Fabric
• Pen
• Decorative tag

Instructions

1. Layer the ingredients in the order given in a one quart wide mouth canning jar. Firmly pack each ingredient in place. It will be a tight fit, but all ingredients will fit in the jar.
2. Use pinking shears to cut an 8 or 9 inch circle from gingham, calico, or a seasonal fabric. Place the fabric over the wide mouth lid and rim and secure with a rubber band.
3. Tie on a raffia or ribbon bow to cover the rubber band. Attach a card to the ribbon or raffia with the following mixing and baking directions:

Empty jar of cookie mix into a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup of butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Use hands to mix the wet and dry ingredients together. When completely blended, roll into large walnut sized balls. Place on unprepared cookie sheets and use the palm of your hand to flatten each cookie ball. Bake at 350 in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes.

Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar

Ingredients & Materials

• 1 1/3 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Child’s blunt-tip safety scissors
• Fabric (choose seasonal fabric if giving a holiday gift)
• Ribbon
• Pen
• Decorative tag

Instructions

1. Layer the ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next layer.
2. Include a card with the following instructions: Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir in the entire contents of the jar. You may need to use your hands to finish mixing. Shape into walnut sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven. Transfer from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Do you have a favorite Brownie or Cookie in a Jar Recipe? Please share below.

Cindy

Founder and Lead Blogger at Akron Ohio Moms

Cindy is the top Akron Blogger with her own take on awesome brands for families, where to vacation for families, a beat on local activities and family fun, a knack for getting moms to share , and a house that is always 2 weeks away from a complete remodel!