Here's a fun homemade holiday gift idea that feels kind of retro -- layered oatmeal cookie mix in a jar. In the late '90s to the mid 2000s, these jars were very trendy! People would make them as gifts, but you'd also see them at holiday markets and craft fairs priced up to $20 a jar. It made the homemade cookie mixes seem even more special. And the best thing is, the cookies made with this mix were (and still are) very good.

What Makes These So Good?

I always wondered why the homemade cookie mix gift jar cookies are so good, and I think it's because the dough is made by simply plopping in softened butter, egg, and vanilla then mixing. The sugar and butter aren't creamed, which means the sugar is less dissolved and the undissolved sugar may contribute to the cookies baking up a little thicker. Friends, especially non-baker types, bake the cookies and are so happy with themselves. You've given them the gift of confidence! Well, unless you leave something out of the layered mix....like baking soda. Don't do that.

Thick and chewy oatmeal cookies made with a mix layered in a mason jar.

I have a couple of versions of this recipe. This one is for the smaller batch jar so you can make spend less money on ingredients and make more jars. For these, you'll use a 16 oz wide mouth canning jar. Layer the dry ingredients in the order listed, then attach a little card with directions on how to prepare the cookies. Here's a sample directions card.

And here's the recipe.

Recipe

Oatmeal Cookie Mix in a jar, baked into cookies

Small Batch Oatmeal Cookie Mix in a Jar

Anna

Makes the best tasting oatmeal cookies! Make sure to include a gift tag with directions on how to mix and bake the cookies.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Cooling 5

Total Time 32

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 cookies

Ingredients

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, weigh or spoon lightly into cup (50 grams)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
¼ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup dried fruit (raisins, dates) and/or white chips
¾ cup rolled oats (60 grams)
¼ cup packed brown sugar (55 grams)
2 tablespoons white sugar (25 grams)

Instructions

Mix together flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a 1 pint wide mouth canning jar, layer the flour mixture, dried fruit, rolled oats, brown sugar, and white sugar. Press tightly.
Make a label with instructions on how to bake the cookies. See Notes.

Notes

Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Empty cookie mix into large mixing bowl and stir well. Add 4 tablespoons well-softened butter, 1 egg yolk and ½ teaspoon of vanilla. Mix until completely blended. The batter will be very thick, so you may need to use your hands to finish mixing. Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheets 2 inches apart and bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to wire racks to finish cooling.

Keyword Cookie Mix, Mason Jar, Oatmeal Cookies

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!