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Gift handmade this holiday — or any occasion — with this simple cookie mix! These cookies in a jar are layered for a pretty presentation and are ready to bake in moments!

A mason jar filled with cookie mix, topped with red and green candies, and tied with a red ribbon and tag. In the background are gifts, and a plate of cookies sits in the foreground.

When it comes to the gifting season, I love giving (and getting!) edible gifts, especially ones that are homemade.

My family definitely has enough “stuff,” so if we can enjoy something tasty that doesn’t take up space afterward, I’m all for it!

My kitchen gifts run the gamut, from lavender sugar to pickled beets to taco seasoning. One gift I’ve been making for literal decades, though, is this cute cookie mix in a jar!

Imagine my surprise when I started seeing these already packaged up in stores during the holidays. They are SO easy to make, and you probably already have every ingredient in your pantry. Plus they always turn out so cute with the distinctive layers and some pretty ribbon.

Let’s get gifting!

Ingredients for cookie mix

Full list of ingredients including quantities is located in the recipe card.

Ingredients for a cookie recipe laid out on a green surface, including chocolate candies, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, flour, brown sugar, and white chocolate chips.

To make the mix, you’ll need:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar – Light or dark brown sugar will both work.
Mix-ins of choice

When it comes to your mix-ins, nearly anything goes! For this batch I’ve used holiday M&M candies and white chocolate chips, but you can also use regular chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or a combination.

Other good options include dried cranberries, chopped walnuts or pecans, or raisins.

Using a combination of mix-ins will give you the most interesting layers in your cookie mix.

A jar of cookie mix with a red ribbon and tag sits next to a plate of baked cookies and decorative items on a green surface.

Equipment

For each batch of cookie mix, you’ll need 1 quart-size mason jar with the lid.

You can also use a funnel to help you add the ingredients, or make a funnel cone from a piece of parchment paper.

I prefer to use a spoon to scoop the ingredients in so I can make sure the layers show around the edges.

If you want to decorate the jar, you’ll want some pretty ribbon, or small fabric squares you can place between the lid and the jar ring.

Don’t forget the printable tags with the baking instructions!

How to make this recipe

Make sure your jar is clean and completely dry. If it is wet at all, the ingredients will stick to the sides. Set the jar on the counter and add a funnel if you’re using one.

In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. If you are making more than one jar, make sure to do this step separately for each jar, to make sure you have the right amounts.

Scoop the flour mixture into the jar. Once it is all added, gently tap the jar on the counter to flatten out the layer.

Top-down view of flour, brown sugar, white chocolate chips in small bowls, and an empty glass bowl with a metal spoon on a green surface.

Ingredients for baking on a green surface, including a jar with flour and brown sugar, a small bowl of sugar, another bowl with brown sugar and a spoon, and a bowl of red and green candies.

Break up any clumps in your brown sugar, then scoop it into the jar. Make sure to start around the edges so the layers will show. Smooth out the brown sugar layer.

Making these with your kids or friends? Set up an assembly line!

Add the granulated sugar and smooth out the top. Pour in your mix-ins, making sure the darker color is on top of the sugar, with any lighter color on top.

A mason jar filled with white chocolate chips, red and green candies, brown sugar, and flour. A green tree decoration and wrapped gift are in the background.

Place the lid and screw on the ring. Tie on some pretty ribbon, along with the instructions for baking the cookies.

You can download my printable tags right here. Make sure to use card stock so they hold up!

Baking the cookies

To make the cookies, melt 8 tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe bowl.

Let it cool, then stir in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Dump in the contents of the jar and mix until no dry bits remain.

Scoop out onto lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 9-12 minutes.

A jar filled with layers of white chocolate chips, red, and green candies on a green table, next to a roll of red and white string and three cookie mix tags.

Tips and tricks

A wide-mouth jar is a bit easier to work with when filling these jars.

Don’t be tempted to fill the jars too quickly, or you might spill your ingredients!

For a chocolate cookie, replace 1/2 cup of the flour with cocoa powder. Or swap in rolled oats for an oatmeal cookie!

A mason jar filled with layered cookie mix ingredients, topped with festive candies, and tied with a red ribbon. A tag with baking instructions is attached.

Package this cookie mix with a set of mixing bowls and a cute spatula for the favorite baker in your life!

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below!
It means so much when you enjoy my recipes, so let me know how it goes and leave a comment if you have any questions.