A thoughtful gift waiting to happen.
The classic lines of a Mason canning jar are perfect for the homespun creativity of the "layered" gift. Layered gifts are thoughtful. What busy person wouldn't appreciate a hardy, delicious homemade soup in a jar? They are also inexpensive and easy enough to let the whole family help make them. You can present them beautifully with a circle of fabric attached to the top, a printed label and the recipe instructions tied to a ribbon.
Drinks
Layer the ingredients for a cup of cinnamon hot chocolate, including nonfat milk, sugar, cocoa, ground cinnamon and miniature marshmallows.
For tea drinkers, fill a Mason jar with layers of orange breakfast drink, instant ice tea mix, sugar and spices like cinnamon and clove. Enjoy this tea hot or cold.
Soups
Layering the dry ingredients for soup is one of the most versatile ways to create a gift in a Mason jar.
Chicken noodle soup might include red lentils, onion flakes, bouillon granules, herbs and spices and egg noodles. Minestrone in a jar requires beef , red lentils, split peas, herbs and spices and short elbow macaroni.
Layers for a three-bean soup can include mixed dehydrated vegetables, cranberry beans, white navy beans, pinto beans, pearl barley and seasonings.
Make an easy potato soup mix by layering instant mashed potatoes, instant milk, , dried minced onion and seasonings. Alternate colorful herbs like parsley and turmeric in between the mostly white layers for visual interest.
Desserts
Brownies are simple to make when you've measured all the dry ingredients. Mix flour, baking powder and salt, and layer it into a canning jar with sugar, cocoa and chocolate chips.
Layer brown sugar, white sugar, rolled oats, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg for oatmeal cookies.
Orange dreamsicle cookies are an unusual twist on the standard sweet snack. Layer powdered orange drink, sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder and vanilla baking chips for this treat.
Non-Edible Gifts
Layered Mason jar gifts are not limited to foods. Layer Epsom salts, kosher salt, your favorite essential oil and a small amount of liquid glycerin for a jar of homemade bath salts.
Seasonal candies layered in a canning jar can hold a taper candle upright. Tie the candle to the side of the jar when you're finished layering in the candy.
Create a "journal in a jar" by filling a jar with journal writing prompts written on different colors of paper. Layer them by color for a beautiful presentation.
Layer buttons, spools of thread and small sewing notions for the seamstress or tailor on your gift list.
Don't Forget Fido!
Ingredients for homemade dog cookies include beef or chicken , whole-wheat flour, cornmeal and dehydrated vegetables.
Tags: bouillon granules, flour baking, baking powder, baking soda, chicken bouillon, dehydrated vegetables