Create an easy and delicious homemade Christmas gift with these layered cookie mix in a jar. These are always a big hit! Free printable tag and instructions included.
Table of Contents
Cookies in a Jar Gift
It’s no secret that cookies are one of my favorite things to bake and give. There’s nothing better than fresh baked desserts like these chocolate crinkle cookies, 7 layer bars or M&M cookie bars. Although sometimes it’s nice to make these mason jar cookies, so that friends and family can bake them when they’re reading to enjoy a treat.
We’ve shared plenty of mason jar gifts before like these peppermint brownie mix in a jar, but this mason jar cookie mix has to be my sweetest one yet.
I’ve tested this recipe for M&M Christmas cookies quite a few times to get the right proportions and these truly are some of my favorite cookies. I adapted them from my favorite M&M cookies (if you just want the cookie recipe). I’ve also included darling free printable tags that are perfect for gift giving.
Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Dry ingredients for the jar: Flour, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, chocolate chips, and M&Ms are layered into a jar and sealed until ready to bake.
- Wet ingredients to add when ready to bake: Add butter, egg, and vanilla to bring the cookie dough together.
How to Make Cookies in Jar
This is the perfect gift to give to neighbors, teachers, friends and families. These jars are great because the receiver can keep them in their pantry for whenever they’re wanting a shortcut to homemade cookies or the craving hits. They’re also perfect for making on Christmas Eve… because rumor has it…they are Santa’s favorite cookies. ;)
- Star with a quart sizes mason jar.
- Print the recipe below and then layer the flour, baking and salt using a spoon or funnel.
- Next layer the brown sugar and sugar.
- Finally add the chocolate chips and M&M
- Seal with a lid.
Tips for Making a Cookie Mix in a Jar
- Make sure you are using a clean and DRY jar. You do not want there to be any water in there.
- Try using a funnel to easily put the flour into the jar.
- Tap the jar on the counter to flatten the ingredients
- Use a spoon to flatten down the ingredients and create a nice line.
- Make sure to pack the ingredients tight, so they all fit.
- To add a more decorative touch, cut out a 6-inch piece of fabric and place between the lid
5 star review
I am giving out these jars for the holidays and had to test it before giving them out and WOW!! This is the perfect recipe!! Absolutely delicious and perfect instructions.
– Jessica
Free Printable Tags
Print on cardstock paper with colored ink (or take to your local copy store) and then cut out tags. Tie the ‘Merry Christmas’ tag onto the top of the mason jar with bakers twine and then use glue or glue dots to adhere the instructions to the front of the jar. You could also tie the instructions on top along with the tag if you’d prefer.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can use any type of 1-quart storage container you like as long as it tightly seals.
Absolutely! Simply swap equal amounts of gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour.
You certainly can! Try it with white chocolate chips, cranberries, nuts (walnuts, pistachios, or pecans).
Storing
Storage: The sealed jar will stay fresh for 1 to 2 months.
More Delicious Christmas Cookies
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M&M Cookies in a Jar
Ingredients
Dry ingredients for jar
- 1 ½ cup +1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup light brown sugar , packed
- 5 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ¾ cup M&M’s , plus more or less as needed to fill jar
Wet ingredient for baking
- ½ cup butter , slightly melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Dry ingredients for jar
- Clean and dry 1-quart jar. Using a funnel or spoon add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Tap on counter to level.
- Spoon in the brown sugar and press down the edges with a spoon. Layer in the granulated sugar.
- Add the chocolate chips and M&M’s. Seal jar.
Wet ingredient for baking
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (or 375°F if you like edges a little more golden). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter, egg, and vanilla.
- Dump the jar ingredients into the bowl and stir until combined. Use hands if needed to combine mixture. Refrigerate at least 15 to 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Using a large cookie scoop (or about 2 Tablespoons), scoop the dough onto the baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly crisp yet still soft in the middle. Remove from oven. Let cool on baking sheet 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
I hope you enjoy this quick and adorable DIY Christmas gift idea. Come back throughout the month to find more ideas!
Categorized as: American, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Christmas, Cookies, Desserts, DIY, Gifts, Holiday Cookies, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This is a great cookie mix that is perfect for neighbor or teacher gifts. Thank you!
I love this cookie mix in a jar idea! I will be making these for gifts this Christmas.
These are perfect for gifting! The cookies are delicious too!
If I wanted to more or all chocolate chips v. M&Ms how much would I use? I cannot find large bags of Christmas ones anywhere and making 24 jars so regular bags of M&M is going to cost more than wanting to spend.
I would just swap the 3/4 cup M&M’s with chocolate chips :) Or you could swap the amount of each to use less M&M’s (3/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup M&M’s).
These always make great gifts during the Christmas season; looking forward to making these for my neighbors!
Sorry, I can’t seem to figure out where to get the printable portion that tells the receiver how to use the mix?
Hi Andrea! Did you subscribe? The printable will be sent to your email once you do! :)
Great teacher gift! Our daycare ladies loved them! Very unique!
Such creative gifts, as well as inexpensive, too!
I made them but the batter was a bit dry and they didn’t melt into cookie form – just stayed in ball form. What did I miss?
I baked them at 350 for 9 mins. But then I saw on the print out was 375 degrees?
Help! These are such a great idea :) love how easy it was to make too.
I have a super random question: How and where did you create you nutrition fact label?
WP Recipe Maker. These are estimates, everything will be different based on what brand of ingredients were used.
My son’s and I made these last night, I was a great idea for us to do as a mother and son bonding moment. These took some time but they are great holiday gifts for teachers and co-workers.
I’m so glad you were able to make these with your son! What a fun night together!
These are the perfect gift. I am looking into doing gifts like this, this holiday season, so glad I saw this.
I also love how cute this would be to display on the kitchen counter until its time to bake cookies!
This is such a cute idea and will make an amazing present for all of my friends as we love baking together! The little printable makes it all the better! Thanks so much.
I’m so glad you like it! Hope you enjoy making these!
These would make such cute neighbor gifts for the holidays! :)
I love getting gifts like this and your printables are awesome!! Such a great gift idea!
Such a great gift idea. Totally a must around the holidays!
Such a fantastic gift idea for the holidays!!
These are super cute, and I love the printable, too!