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.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.
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
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.
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
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.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
I hope you enjoy this quick and adorable DIY Christmas gift idea. Come back throughout the month to find more ideas!
Sandra
why unsalted butter?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
It’s preferred in baking when you are adding additional salt to the recipe as well as all brands of salted butter add varying amounts of salt.
Kay
Is the nutrition info per cookie or per jar of mix? I’m trying to adjust the recipe to be low sodium.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Per cookie.
Tanna
This did not fill a quart jar which is 32oz. It filled a 20oz. jar, made for a chaotic night.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Sorry to hear about the chaos! I always opt for a larger jar but good to hear that a smaller jar will work as well.
Cindy
Delicious gifts! Loved by everyone. I’ll make these again.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad everyone loved the cookie mix in a jar!
Kimberli
I gave this out last year as gifts. Everyone said it made the best cookies they’ve ever had. 😋
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad the cookie mix in a jar was a hit!
Summer Deal
I am looking to make around 100 jars for client Christmas party favors. I just tried the recipe and the dough was super crumbly and dry. The cookies are falling apart. Did anyone else have this issue?
Jamielyn Nye
I’m so sorry they are falling apart on you! My guess is maybe too much flour was added or the butter wasn’t soft enough. It’s hard to say without being there. If try to fill the jar higher, I would add more chocolate chips or m&m’s instead of flour.
Jessika
Did you put 1/2 a cup of butter in it. I just tried it as well and I forgot to put a half butter in it.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
When making the cookie mix, you do need to add butter as noted in the ‘wet ingredients’.
Debbi
Love the recipe ideas
Jamielyn Nye
Thanks Debbi!
Renicea Rice
Amazing thanks
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Glad you found it helpful!
Michelle Sullivan
Made this recipe for birthday party favors. It was easy to make and look beautiful in the jars! Thank you
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
What a great idea!
Rhonda
Very good recipe and easy.
Julianne White
Thank you so much, this is perfect to give as a gift. I am not able to download the printable, will you please email it to me?
Jamielyn Nye
Here is the link: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/cookie-mix-printable.jpg
Avyanna
oof. I fainted. IT’S TOO GOOD!!
-Avyanna (6yrs)
Noble Lee
The printable tag still comes up as 350 degrees
Jamielyn Nye
Sorry we no longer have this digital file. to edit. :( But the cookies can be baked at 350 or 375 (depending if you like the edges a little more golden).
Callie
Love this recipe, but just opened the printable card and it still says 350 degrees baking temp :(