If you’re looking for a fun and heartfelt gift or a delightful way to bring holiday cheer into your kitchen, this Christmas Cookies in A Jar Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s not only charming to gift or display but also incredibly simple to prepare, with layers of ingredients that promise warm, buttery, and chocolatey goodness once baked. This festive jar turns a classic cookie recipe into a beautiful, personalized present or party favor, making baking that much sweeter and more memorable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Christmas Cookies in A Jar Recipe lies in its simplicity—the ingredients are easy to gather yet perfectly balanced to create the tastiest cookies. Each element plays a vital role in delivering the classic chewiness, richness, and sweet chocolate notes you crave during the holidays.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of the cookie, giving structure and tenderness.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Provides a little lift for a soft, cakey texture.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture when mixed later.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Offers moisture and a subtle hint of caramel flavor to the dough.
- 1 cup chocolate chips: The star ingredient that makes every bite heavenly with bursts of chocolate.
How to Make Christmas Cookies in A Jar Recipe
Step 1: Layer the Dry Ingredients
Start by carefully layering the dry ingredients into a mason jar in the following order: first, place the flour, then granulated sugar, followed by baking powder, brown sugar, and finish with the chocolate chips on top. Take your time to avoid mixing the layers for that stunning visual effect that makes this jar so special.
Step 2: Seal and Decorate the Jar
Once all your ingredients are perfectly layered, seal the jar tightly to keep everything fresh. If you want, add a festive ribbon, a handwritten tag, or some holiday stickers to personalize your gift or centerpiece.
Step 3: Prepare to Bake
When it’s time to enjoy the cookies, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and eggs together until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. This step is essential for creating that soft cookie texture everyone loves.
Step 4: Combine and Mix
Gradually add the contents of your jar to the butter and egg mixture. Blend everything together until you have a smooth, even dough with all those beautiful chocolate chips evenly distributed.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop dough portions onto a lined baking sheet, spacing them nicely apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft. Let the cookies cool completely before serving or packaging them for gifting.
How to Serve Christmas Cookies in A Jar Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are delicious on their own, adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar or drizzling some melted white chocolate over them makes for an elegant touch. You can even pop a few festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes on top while they’re still warm for extra holiday cheer.
Side Dishes
Pair these warm, chewy cookies with a cold glass of milk, a mug of rich hot cocoa, or a cup of spiced holiday tea to create a cozy treat break. The contrast between the cookie’s warmth and the drink’s chill or spice will make your snack time delightful.
Creative Ways to Present
This Christmas Cookies in A Jar Recipe lends itself so well to gifting. Wrap the jar with burlap and twine for a rustic look, add a festive spoon or spatula tied to the side, or place the jar inside a small gift basket with some holiday tea bags or cocoa mix for an all-in-one treat package.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have some cookies leftover after the celebration, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly stored, these cookies remain soft and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect for snacking over several days.
Freezing
For a longer shelf-life, you can freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They will keep their texture and flavor well for up to three months—just thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked feeling, simply warm the cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This will revive their soft, gooey texture and make them taste like they just came out of the oven again.
FAQs
Can I substitute the butter with margarine or oil?
While it’s possible, unsalted butter provides the best flavor and texture for this recipe. Margarine or oil may alter the taste and the cookies’ softness, so butter is highly recommended for the perfect result.
Do I need to add eggs while layering the jar?
The eggs are not layered in the jar because they need to be fresh and are mixed in just before baking. Keep the jar dry and store eggs separately until you’re ready to bake.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! White chocolate, peanut butter, or even butterscotch chips can be used to customize your cookies. Mixing different chips can add fun variety and unique flavor combinations.
Is this recipe suitable for kids to help with?
Definitely! Kids will love layering the jar ingredients and decorating the jars, making this a wonderful family holiday activity. Just be sure they have adult supervision when it’s time to handle the oven.
How long do the ingredients in the jar stay fresh?
When sealed tightly and stored in a cool, dry place, the jar ingredients stay fresh for up to 3 months, making it a perfect make-ahead gift or treat for later in the season.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookies in A Jar Recipe is more than just a cookie mix; it’s a warm invitation to share joy, creativity, and deliciousness throughout the holiday season. Whether you’re gifting it to loved ones or baking up a batch for yourself, you’re guaranteed a festive experience filled with sweet memories and even sweeter treats. Give it a try—you won’t regret adding this to your holiday traditions!
Print
Christmas Cookies in A Jar Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A festive and fun Christmas Cookies in a Jar recipe that layers all the dry ingredients in a mason jar, making it a perfect gift or a convenient baking mix. Simply add wet ingredients at home, bake, and enjoy warm, delicious cookies with chocolate chips and a classic buttery flavor.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Wet Ingredients (to be added when baking)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Prepare the jar layers: Layer the dry ingredients into a mason jar starting with 2 cups of all-purpose flour, then 1 cup granulated sugar, followed by 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 cup packed brown sugar, and finally 1 cup of chocolate chips on top. This layering keeps ingredients separate and visually appealing.
- Seal and decorate: Seal the jar tightly to keep the ingredients fresh. Decorate the jar as desired to make it festive and gift-ready.
- Preheat the oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct baking temperature while you prepare the dough.
- Mix the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 2 large eggs until the mixture is fluffy and light. Gradually add the dry jar contents to the wet mixture and mix thoroughly until a uniform cookie dough forms.
- Scoop and bake: Scoop the cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, spacing the cookies appropriately. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating the cookies are perfectly baked.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or gifting. Enjoy fresh, homemade Christmas cookies!
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for the best dough consistency.
- If gifting, include the wet ingredient instructions on the jar label.
- You can substitute chocolate chips with nuts or dried fruit for variation.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
