Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Reindeer Poop Cookies (Toffee Blondies) in a Jar

 

I thought these cookies just sounded amazing, so I converted them into jar cookies!  These are Toffee Blondies, and they're incredibly easy to put together and just look amazing in the jar.  I thought they deserved a naughty name and thus they were called...

"Reindeer Poop Cookies"

 

Ingredients for the jar: 

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup Heath Chips
1 quart size mason jar
To make the Toffee Blondies:
the contents of the jar
1/4 cup melted butter
2 lightly beaten eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

How to construct the Jar:
 
Layer the brown sugar, chocolate chips, flour, baking powder, salt, Heath chips, and pecans.

Preparation Instructions:

To make the Toffee Blondies, melt some butter in a bowl.  Whisk in the eggs and vanilla.Pour in the contents of the jar.  Even that looks pretty doesn’t it? Pour the batter in an 8x8x2 pan coated with cooking spray.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the blondies are set and start to pull away from the sides of the pan.  Cool in the pan and cut into 16 bars.

Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Jingle Your Bells Coffee (Snickerdoodle Coffee)

 

I created this recipe to be reminiscent of Snickerdoodle cookies, using many of the same things that you use to make the cookies themselves, and I think it's downright delicious!

"Jingle Your Bells Coffee"

Ingredients for the Jar:

1 cup sugar
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 tablespoons powdered instant coffee
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Construction Instructions:

Mix all of the ingredients together well and put into jars.  Decorate the Jar with cloth, ribbons, or labels and make sure to attach the preparation instructions!

Preparation Instructions:

For single serving place 3 tablespoons mix in mug and add 3/4 cup boiling water.

Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Stocking Stuffer Stomach Pumper Coffee (Toffee Coffee)

 

Once again, another great name thought up by my husband, and another great recipe that I've put together!  This one is for an instant drink mix that is Toffee Flavored Coffee!  I hope you enjoy!

"Stocking Stuffer Stomach Pumper Coffee" (or Toffee Coffee)

Ingredients for the Jar:

2/3 cup instant coffee
1 cup non-dairy creamer
1 cup brown sugar

Assembly Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together and place in a jar.  Decorate the jar with ribbons, stickers or cloth and make sure to attach a tag with preparation instructions!

Preparation instructions:

To serve, place 2 to 3 teaspoons of mix in a mug and add boiling water.

Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Colored Coal (M&M) Cookies in a Jar

 

Here's a simple recipe for an M&M cookie mix in a jar!  We used the red and green m&m's for the holidays and the mix was very easy to put together.  My only wish was that we had saved the m&ms for the very last layer because they almost got lost in the layers of flour and sugar.

"Colored Coal Cookies"

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups candy-coated milk chocolate pieces
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

1. Mix together flour, baking soda and baking powder.
2. Layer ingredients in jar in order given in a 1 quart ''wide mouth'' canning jar. Add the flour mixture last. It will be a tight fit when you add the flour mixture so be sure to pack everything down firmly.
3. Instructions to attach to jar:  

  M & M's Cookies. 

Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix. 

Add 1/2 cup margarine or butter softened at room temperature. Mix in 1 egg, slightly beaten, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Mix until completely blended. You will need to finish mixing with your hands. 

Shape into balls the size of walnuts and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart.

Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 12 to 14 minutes until edges are slightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes then remove to wire racks to finish cooling. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Joy to the Cookie (Cranberry Nut Cookies) in a Jar

 

I really wish I had taken a picture of just the jar here, because this mix, when layered, looks gorgeous.  The cookies themselves are lovely!  

Joy To the Cookie

Ingredients for the Jar:

• 5/8 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Assembly Instructions: 

Using a canning funnel, layer the ingredients in a 1 quart canning jar in the order listed.  Decorate the jar with cloth, stickers, ribbon or other accessories.  Make sure to include the cooking instructions!

Cooking Instructions:  

Ingredients not Included:

1/2c. softened butter

1 Egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a cookie sheet.

In medium bowl beat together the ingredients that were not included with the jar until fluffy.  Add the contents of the jar and mix together until blended.

Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto baking sheets, bake for 8-10 minutes.

Cool.

Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Christmas Tree House Fire Coffee (Bavarian Coffee)

 

This coffee was designed with the crafting of my "naughty" gifts.  My husband named it, I thought it was hilarious and had to use it.  It is actually a bavarian coffee, which is often used with mint of some sort. Making the coffee was very easy. 

 Christmas Tree House Fire Coffee (Bavarian Coffee)

Ingredients for the Jar:

In a bowl, mix the following ingredients:

1/4 cup instant nonfat powdered dry milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup instant coffee
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder


Assembly Instructions:

Then, using a canning funnel, pour the mix into a canning jar, tapping the jar on the table to settle it a bit.  Then, decorate the jar however you like, with a square of fabric, a piece of ribbon, sticker, tag, whatever that you like.  Make sure you include the directions on how to serve a cup!

Cooking Instructions:

To serve combine 3 tablespoons of mix with 1 cup boiling water; stir to blend.

Holiday crafting, Tutorial, Cream of Elf (er... Mushroom) Soup

This is yet another soup that was made for my "Naughty and Nice" gifts.  This soup is just amazing, and the kudos for the awesome name goes to my husband, who giggled for a long time before he was even able to share it with me.  It's easy to put together, and it looks incredible in the jar.

 

Cream of Elf (er.... Mushroom and Wild Rice) Soup

Ingredients for the Jar:

• 1 package Country Gravy Mix (2.75 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/4 cup uncooked wild rice
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped dried mushrooms (I used Oyster and Porcini)

Assembly Instructions: 

Pour Pioneer Country Gravy Mix into wide-mouth pint jar. In small bowl, stir together bouillon granules, onion, celery and parsley. Pour into jar to make second layer. Add layers of wild rice, white rice and mushrooms. Seal with lid.

Decorate the jar with cloth, stickers or ribbon and don't forget to include a tag with the cooking instructions!

Cooking Instructions: 

Empty contents of jar into a large saucepan. Add 7 cups water; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Makes 6 servings.

Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Oh Soup Divine - Soup in a Jar

This again is a mix of a few different recipes that I had looked at for my "Naughty and Nice" project, and after a little fine tuning, I must say that it is a delightful mix!  Without further adieu, here is my "Oh Soup Divine" mix in a Jar!

"Oh Soup Divine"

Ingredients for the Jar

• 1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
• 1/4 cup dried minced onion
• 1/2 cup dried split peas
• 1/2 cup uncooked small shaped pasta
• 1/4 cup barley
• 1/2 cup dry lentils
• 1/3 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 cup uncooked tri-color spiral pasta

Assembly Instructions:

Use a canning funnel to fill your jar with ingredients.  Using a wide mouth 1 quart canning jar is easiest.  Layer the ingredients in the order provided, tapping the jar on the table occasionally to help items settle.

Decorate the jar with fabric, stickers or ribbon and make sure to attach the cooking instructions.

Cooking Instructions:

In large kettle, brown 1 pound ground beef or stew beef cut into bite-size pieces in a little olive oil. Remove tricolor pasta from top of jar and reserve. Add the rest of the jar contents to the kettle with 12 cups water. Let come to a boil and simmer 45 minutes. Add tricolor pasta and simmer 15 minutes more. Serve with your favorite bread or rolls and a tossed salad.

Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Santa Sweat (Spiral) Soup in a Jar

I knew from the moment that I started the "Naughty and Nice" project that I wanted to do a spiral noodle soup in some form.  I did a lot of research into what jarred soups people had made and what recipes there were to choose from.  Armed with all of this knowledge, I used the basic form from a couple of different recipes to design my "Santa Sweat Soup" to be included in my "Naughty" packages.  Here is the way to make it, I hope you enjoy!

Santa Sweat Soup (Spiral Soup) in a Jar

Ingredients that you need for the jar:

1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/3 cup beef boullion granules
1/2 cup dried minced onion
3-1/2 cups of tri-colored spiral pasta (or enough to fill the jar)

Assembly Instructions:

Mix all the powders together to blend, and add to the jar using a canning funnel.
Add the Spiral pasta (for added fun, separate the colors and layer them for a unique look)


Decorate the Jar with fabric, stickers, or tie a ribbon around the top.  Include cooking instructions and gift away!

Cooking Instructions:

Ingredients:
8 c. Water
2 c. Crushed or Diced Tomatoes
1 Jar of Soup mix
Optional:  Veggies of your choice

Instructions:
Bring water and tomatoes (and veggies if desired) to boil in a soup pot.  Add the Jar of Soup mix and simmer for about 15 minutes or until noodles are tender.  Garnish with crackers or Parmesan cheese.

Holiday Crafting 2011- Naughty and Nice Themed Gifts

This year, I thought it would be appropriate to

ask my gift recievers to contemplate whether they have been naughty or nice this year.  With no indication of what was in the box, random selection was going to tell them if they've been good or bad.  

Here's how I set it up.  I chose six packages to be "naughty" and six to be "nice."  On the nice items, were nice names such as "Oh Soup Divine" and "Winter Wonderland Bath Icicles" and "Jingle your Bells" coffee.  The naughty names (which were mostly thought up by my husband) were names such as "Cream of Elf Soup" and my personal favorite, "Stocking Stuffer Stomach Pumper Coffee."

After having named all of the items, I put them all into random boxes, along with my crocheted washclothes, potholders and loofahs, stamped the box with either "Naughty" or "Nice" and then wrapped them all in plain brown Kraft Paper and tied a simple ribbon around them.  I then attached my "Have you Been Naughty or Nice?" stamped tags that Lily and I made, and voila!

 

Needless to say, even if someone was deemed "Naughty", they still thought I was very nice!  It was a lot of fun making them, and is an excellent project for children.  I recommend only doing one item at a time, having all the stuff ready before hand, and your child could definitely help you on this too!  I know Lily really enjoyed helping everyone make their gifts!