It’s easy to get wrapped up in the spirit of giving during the month of December, no matter what holiday you might celebrate. Spend a little extra time instead of money on loved ones’ gifts this year with these recipes in a jar. Layer the dry ingredients in a mason jar to look reminiscent of sand art — but leave out the wet ingredients. Seal the lid, tie on a festive bow and make a small recipe card to give alongside the jar. These simple gifts are sure to be a treat.
— Compiled by The Daily Orange feature staff

1. Spiced Walnuts

In the jar:
1 cup of walnuts, halved
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

From the fridge:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a pan with parchment paper and coat with a thin layer of nonstick spray. Mix together walnuts and all other ingredients in a bowl. Then spread the walnuts onto the pan and place in the oven. Rotate the pan every five minutes until the walnuts are golden brown. Let cool and enjoy as a snack, in trail mix or on top of a salad.

2. Cinnamon Walnut Pancakes

In the jar:
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup walnuts
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
4 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 ¼ teaspoon salt

Form the fridge:
1 egg
½ cup cold milk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Grease a nonstick skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Take 1 cup of the mix from the jar and stir it in a mixing bowl. Add the egg, milk and oil and mix. Pour 1/3 cups of the batter onto the skillet and cook it for 1 ½ minutes, then flip it and cook for another 30 seconds.

3. Butterscotch Chip Cookies

In the jar:
1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup butterscotch chips

From the fridge:
½ cup butter
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place all of the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Mix in ½ cup of butter, 1 egg and ½ teaspoon of vanilla. Mix all of the ingredients together. Then begin to roll small, walnut-sized balls of dough and place them on a cookie sheet. Flatten the dough out and bake for 8-10 minutes.

4. Brownie
In the jar:
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon

From the fridge:
½ cup water
4 tablespoons canola oil or vegetable oil
2 drops vanilla extract
2 scoops of vanilla ice cream

Place your dry ingredients into a large mug or bowl and stir together. Then add the water, oil and vanilla and stir until smooth. Put your mug in the microwave for about two to three minutes, or until the mixture is firm. Let the brownie cool and add your ice cream scoops to the top. Enjoy your delicious brownie treat.

5. Hot Cocoa
In the jar:
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar
½ cup of marshmallows

From the fridge:
1 cup milk

Remove the marshmallows from your jar and put them to the side. Mix together the cocoa and sugar. Bring 1 cup of milk to a simmer and stir in your cocoa and sugar. Pour into a mug, top off with marshmallows and enjoy.

Published on December 4, 2013 at 4:50 am