Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 cup pecans (chopped)
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3/8 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/6 cup cocoa
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
Add all these ingredients one at a time to make the layers in the jar. (Use a 1 quart jar.)
On the attached recipe card, provide these instructions:
Triple Chocolate Chip cookies
To the mixture add
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. milk
1 egg
1 stick melted butter
Mix together and roll into 1 inch balls. Place on cookie sheet and press to flatten slightly. Bake for 8 minutes at 350 degrees.
M&M's Cookies (great for holidays!)
Add the following ingredients in the order given into a 1 quart wide-mouth jar. Be sure to press layers firmly before adding next ingredient to avoid mixing of layers.
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 1/4 cups M&M candies (be creative, use red & green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, etc.)
2 cups all purpose flour mixed with 1/2 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. baking powder
The attached label should read:
M&M's Cookies
Yield 30 cookies
1. Empty cookie mix jar into a large mixing bowl and stir.
2. Add 1 stick of softened butter or margarine, 1 slightly beaten egg, and 1 tsp. vanilla
3. Mix until completely blended. (Use your hands rather than a beater to avoid breaking candies.)
4. Roll into 1 inch balls. Place on greased cookie sheets.
5. Bake for 12 - 14 minutes at 375 degrees. Cookies are done when edges begin to brown lightly.
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Layered bean soup mix - this recipe should only be used if you wish to prepare a number of jars (instructions are for 12 jars), because you will need to buy a large amount of dried beans. You should purchase about 14 pounds of assorted dried peas, beans and lentils(choose at least 8 different kinds, aiming for variety in color). Choose from among the following:
black beans
white beans
black-eyed peas
pink beans
lentils
baby limas
red lentils
great northerns
small red beans
pinto beans
split peas
red kidney beans
You will also need 12 Italian or beef bouillon cubes and 12 bay leaves
Layer the beans by 1/4 cups in the jars, placing different colors next to each other. At the top of each jar add a bouillon cube and a bay leaf, and seal.
On the instruction tag, include the following:
Bean Soup
Set aside bay leaf and bouillon cube and soak beans.
Quick method: Rinse beans, place in large pot with 6-8 cups water. Bring to a boil, and allow to boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans.
Overnight method: Rinse beans, place in large pot with 6-8 cups water. Let stand overnight, or at least 6 to 8 hours. Drain soak water and rinse beans.
To make bean soup:
Place beans (after soaking) in a large pot.
Add the following:
6 cups water
1 can (14 oz.) chopped tomatoes in juice
bay leaf and bouillon cube
Salt
Simmer gently for 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Add salt and pepper as needed.
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Butterscotch Brownies Mix
Build layers in this order, using 1 quart wide-mouth canning jar. Press firmly between layers.
1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut (pack firmly!)
3/4 cup pecans (chopped)
2 cups brown sugar (firmly packed)
2 cups all purpose flour mixed with 1 1/2 Tbsp. baking powder and 1/4 tsp. salt
The following instructions should be attached to the jar:
Butterscotch Brownies
Makes 24
1. Empty jar of into large mixing bowl and mix.
2. Add the following: 1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) softened butter or margarine, 2 slightly beaten eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla
3. Mix until completely blended.
4. Spread into greased 9x13 pan.
5. Bake for 25 minutes at 375 degrees. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before cutting into squares.
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Colored bath salts
Epsom salts and food coloring are all you need, although a funnel will make your job easier. First fill the jar you would like to give with the epsom salts, and then pour it out evenly into 6 small cups.
Add food coloring to each cup, stirring (and adding more color if needed) until you get the desired shade. Remember you can mix colors (i.e. blue+red to get purple) if you like, and consider whether you would like pastel or stronger colors (pastel usually looks more appropriate for bath salts). You may also add essential oils to scent the bath salts. Lavender is especially nice for the bath.
Allow the salts to air-dry for 20 minutes or so, then use a funnel to add the colors, one at a time, back into the jar. Press each layer lightly with the back of a spoon before adding the next. (Or, if you want a more organic feel, let the valleys and hills remain.)
This project is especially nice finished off with an organza ribbon and a silk flower. Make sure to create a gift tag so the recipient knows what is in the jar!
