The holiday season can really break the bank and cause a lot of unnecessary stress, but it does not have to. College students in particular may lack the resources to find all of their loved ones gifts for the holidays. This Cookie Mix in a Jar is a low-cost and low-consumption option that can be put together in about 20 minutes with just a few household staples. 

Supplies:

32oz mason jar or 2 16 oz mason jars

Ribbon 

Gift tags/index cards/thick cardstock 

Ingredients: 

2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

½ cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 cups of any add-ins (chocolate chips, crushed peppermint bark. nuts)

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

Directions:

In a large bowl mix together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add all of the mix into the bottom of a 32oz mason jar, or split evenly between two 16 oz mason jars. (do the same for all the following steps) 

Layer the brown sugar on top, followed by the white sugar. 

Top the jar with your add-in of choice. 

Add a lid and decorate the jars with a ribbon.

Tie the instruction card onto the ribbon. 

Instruction Card: 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon liner. 

Dump the contents of the jar into a large mixing bowl. 

For a 32oz jar: mix in two eggs, 1 cup of softened butter (two sticks), and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract 

For a 16oz jar: mix in one egg, half a cup of softened butter (one stick), and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Scoop even balls of dough onto the cookie sheet, evenly spaced, and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown. 

As college students, we don’t really have a surplus of time or money, especially around the holiday season. This gift is perfect for when you are strapped for cash, but still want to give your loved ones a meaningful present. The gift itself is entirely personalizable so each and every jar feels special to the person receiving it.