By Container tips
Check import and kitchen stores, garage sales and flea markets for decorative glass jars. Wash and dry jars thoroughly before use.
Dress up jars by cutting colorful fabric a few inches wider than the jar lid. Use ribbon to tie the fabric in place around the lid.
For mixes in resealable plastic bags, make the presentation festive by placing the bag inside a fabric bag and tying on the recipe. Or tuck the plastic bag into a decorative paper bag, a metal or ceramic loaf pan or classic mixing bowl. Add measuring spoons or a wooden spoon, wrap with colored plastic wrap and tie on recipe.
If giving a family recipe, use a piece of heirloom fabric, such as lace from an ancestor’s blouse, to decorate the jar lid.
Paint the outside of the jar or glue pieces of fabric on the outside of the jar to make a holiday design.
- Courtesy of
foodeditor.com
Pumpkin cranberry bread mix
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 can pure pumpkin
Gift preparation: Combine all ingredients except pure pumpkin in a bowl. Pour into a 1-quart resealable plastic bag. Place in fabric bag. Place bread mix and can of pumpkin in a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.
Attach following recipe to gift:
Pumpkin cranberry bread mix
Beat together 3/4 cup pure pumpkin, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs and 1/4 cup orange juice or water in a large mixer bowl until blended. Add contents of bag; stir until just moistened. Spoon batter into greased and floured 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven 60-65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Makes one loaf.
Hot cocoa mix in a jar
Ingredients:
6 cups instant nonfat dry milk
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Gift preparation: Combine dry milk, sugar, cocoa and marshmallows in large bowl. Pour into a 2-quart jar or tall container. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.
Attach following recipe to gift:
Hot cocoa mix
Measure 1/2 cup cocoa mix into mug. Stir in 1 cup boiling water. Makes 12 servings.
Oatmeal chip cookie mix in a jar
Ingredients:
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate or butterscotch flavored morsels
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
Gift Preparation: Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in small bowl. Place flour mixture in a 1-quart jar.
Layer remaining ingredients in the order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer.
Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.
Attach following recipe to gift:
Oatmeal chip cookie mix
Beat 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter or margarine, 1 large egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until blended.
Add cookie mix; mix well, breaking up any clumps.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 375-degree oven 8 to 10 minutes.
Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks. Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Chewy brownie mix in a jar
Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped nuts or semi-sweet chocolate morsels
Gift preparation: Layer ingredients in the order listed above in a 1-quart jar, pressing firmly after adding each ingredient.
After adding cocoa, nuts or morsels, wipe inside of jar with paper towel. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.
Attach following recipe to gift:
Chewy brownie mix
Pour brownie mix into large mixer bowl; stir. Add 3/4 cup melted butter or margarine, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons water and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Stir well. Spread into greased 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 18 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool in pan on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Makes 2 dozen brownies.
Oatmeal-chip cookie mix in a jar
Ingredients:
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate or butterscotch flavored morsels
1 1/2 cups of quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup nuts.
Gift preparation: Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in small bowl.
Place flour mixture in 1-quart jar.
Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer.
Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.
Attach following recipe to gift:
Oatmeal-chip cookie mix
Town Crier Staff Report
You don’t have to be a Martha Stewart to give decent-looking, handmade gifts this holiday season. You don’t even need to be very creative.
Below is a list of ingredients for four holiday sweets, that when combined with the right jar or decorative cloth sack, make nice holiday gifts.
Beat one stick softened butter or margarine, 1 large egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until blended. Add cookie mix; mix well, breaking up any clumps. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 375-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks. Makes 2 dozen cookies.
