The big question is…
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Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?
If they’re chocolate chip cookies, the answer is probably me!
In years past when I’ve made holiday cookies for friends, I’ve always given the already-baked versions. But so many desserts surround us during this holiday season (candy canes, Christmas cookies, party food, eggnog, peppermint bark!) that perhaps receiving more cookies might not be the most-appreciated gift. This year I decided to give a gift that can be enjoyed in February… or June… or whenever a chocolate-chip craving strikes and the holiday cookies are long gone.
I stand 100% behind today’s recipe and can vouch for it being a hit with even people who claim they hate healthy food and have never met a vegetable they didn’t loathe entirely. The recipe is adapted and scaled up from one of the most popular recipes on my blog: healthy chocolate chip cookies.
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Cookie mixes in a jar might just be the perfect gift:
- Fun to assemble and decorate.
- Not expensive to make, yet they still show the recipient that you put time and effort into the gift.
- Who doesn’t love cookies?
No seriously, who? Also be sure to let the recipient know that with these cookies, it’s perfectly acceptable to eat the raw dough!
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You can find quart-sized mason jars at craft stores, at hardware stores, or even at some grocery stores and dollar stores! (A box of 12 jars only costs about $7.)
Decorate with ribbon and odds-n-ends from a craft store, or use up old scrapbook supplies or kids’ unused school supplies. (I attached the labels to my jars with double-sided mounting squares, available in the scrapbook section of any place like JoAnn or Michaels craft stores.)
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Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
(fills a quart-sized mason jar)
- 3 cups rolled oats (240g)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup coconut or brown sugar (90g)
- 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp xylitol or white sugar or evaporated cane juice (70g)
- 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (80-95g)
Grind the oats in a blender or food processor until you achieve a powder. Pour into a bowl and stir in all other ingredients except chips. Stir well. Now pour into a mason jar, pat down, then add the chips. Close the lid, and be sure to add a tag to the jar that says something along the lines of the following: To bake these cookies, pour contents of jar into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine 6 tbsp milk of choice, 6 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil, and 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract. Pour wet into dry, stir to form a dough, drop spoonfuls (with a cookie scoop or a regular spoon) onto a greased cookie sheet, then chill at least 30 minutes if you want soft cookies as opposed to crispy ones. Preheat oven to 375 F, and bake 10-12 minutes (depending on desired crispiness). They will look underdone when they come out, but that is OK! It’s important to let the cookies cool at least 10 minutes before removing from the tray, as they continue to cook even after coming out of the oven. (You don’t have to make them all at once: you can freeze some of the cookie dough balls to cook at a later time. When you’re ready, simply pop frozen balls onto a cookie tray and bake.) This recipe yields around 25-30 cookies.
View Chocolate Chip Cookies Nutrition Facts
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Have you ever made or received a meaningful homemade gift?
In past years, I’ve painted picture frames, decorated cupcakes, sent out homemade cards and photo albums, and made coupon books redeemable for favors like babysitting or cleaning. My favorite gifts to receive are homemade ones, as they show someone put time and thought into the gift. In our fast-paced society, time is a very treasured thing!
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Hi Katie! I have a question about your chocolate bar recipe–you say to use either agave or stevia. Can I use non-liquid stevia? I don’t have any Stevia that comes in drops like you mention in your recipe. and I”m kinda in a bind cause I don’t have any agave=P Also, how do I make chips out of them instead of a bar?
your website is sweet=-D pun intended
Yes! I love to give home made things as gifts. Every year I give all my co-workers home made things. Usually cookies or similar. This year I made chocolate covered pretzels I made with molds. Took a LOT of time, but everyone comments on how nice they look. Some people thought I bought them and were very suprised when I said that I made them. I love this. Thanks so much for posting!
I’ve been wanting to make cookies in a jar as gifts for a while, but I can never seem to get around to it! Maybe I’ll just have to run to the craft store today and get some jars, because yours turned out to be so adorable, and I know several people who would never deny the gift of food!
I love the idea of giving someone an sweet treat, but one they can make on their own time and it’s healthier. Thanks for sharing! I’ll be doing this for some friends this year 🙂
Yum! I made all my gifts this year from Vegan Food Gifts, and it has many of these mix in a jar recipes. I love those! And how cool that these are oat-based. Katie, you are awesome!
I’ve been craving chocolate chip cookies for weeks! I hope somebody makes me this for Christmas. I also love homemade gifts, and I make them every single year. In fact, I *just finished* making bookmarks and cupcake ornaments for my family!
i love homemade gifts!!! i knitted dishcloths, sewed some tote bags, and sewed a pillowcase to give as gifts to people this year! 🙂
i love this cookie jar idea! 🙂 mabye i’ll do this for next year or for some gifts during the year!
🙂
Love this idea!! I have been seeing similar things on Pinterest and such recently. But, I love your healthy version. This is going to be something I try out for my coworkers 🙂
I really love homemade cookies because it is more delicious than buying it anywhere. 🙂
Merry Christmas !!!
LOVE IT! I was pondering the idea of giving cookies in a jar this year . . . if I get the time, I’ll be making THIS recipe for sure! 😀