Gifts in a Jar

When I give these as gifts, I always add the complete recipe on the back of the "added" gift card in case the person ever wants to make it from scratch.

Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Mix

1-1/2 cups dry milk
3 to 4 tablespoons creamer
5 tablespoons cocoa
4 packets Sweet-n-Low (or other sweetener)

Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach a gift tag with the following information:

Sugar Free Hot Chocolate:
3 tablespoons Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Mix
1 cup boiling water

Place mix into mug. Add boiling water; stir.

---

Hot Chocolate Mix

1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
3 cups dry milk
dash of salt

Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach a gift tag with the following information:

Hot Chocolate
4 tablespoons Hot Chocolate Mix
8 ounces boiling water
Marshmallows

In a mug combine the Hot Chocolate Mix and boiling water. Top with marshmallows.

---

Coffee Continental Mix

1 cup cocoa mix
3/4 cup instant coffee

Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach a gift tag with the following information:

Coffee Continental
1-1/2 tablespoons Coffee Continental Mix
6 ounces boiling water
whipped cream, optional

Place coffee continental mix in mug and add boiling water. Top with whipped cream.

---

Cappuccino Mix

1 cup non-dairy creamer
1 cup chocolate-flavored drink mix (can use either recipe at the top)
3/4 cup instant coffee
1/2 cup sugar (I add 3 to 4 packets of Sweet-n-Low to keep it sugar free.)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine in an airtight container. (When using as a gift, I layer the items without mixing because it makes a really pretty gift when still layered.)

Attach a gift tag with the following information:

Cappuccino
2 tablespoons Cappuccino Mix
6 ounces boiling water
whipped cream and shaved chocolate (optional)

Place cappuccino mix in mug. Add boiling water. Stir. Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. (Can also add a bit of cinnamon to whipped cream.)

---

Ginger Spice Muffin Mix

1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in an airtight container. Attach a gift tag with the following information:

Ginger Spice Muffins
1 package Ginger Spice Muffin Mix
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 muffin tins. In a large bowl, combine the muffin mix with the margarine, egg, vanilla, and milk. Stir until the ingredients are blended. Do not over mix. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake 15 minutes.

---

Bran Muffin Mix

1-1/2 cups All-Bran cereal
1-1/4 cup self-rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup raisins

Combine in an airtight container. Attach a gift tag with the following information:

Bran Muffins
1 package Bran Muffin Mix
1/2 cup margarine, melted
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 muffin tins. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well. Spoon batter into muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake 16 to 18 minutes. Serve warm.

For pineapple bran muffins, add one 8-ounce can of drained crushed pineapple to your batter.

---

Snickerdoodle Mix

2-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1-1/2 cups sugar

Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach a gift tag with the following information:

Snickerdoodle Cookies
1 cup margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 package Snickerdoodle Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the margarine until light; add eggs and beat on low until mixture is smooth. Add the Snickerdoodle Mix. Continue to beat on low until the dough begins to form. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in the cinnamon-sugar blend. Arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until they are light tan. Cool.

---

Beer Bread Mix

3 cups self-rising flour
3 tablespoons sugar

Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach a gift tag with the following information:

Beer Bread
1 package Beer Bread Mix
1 12-ounce can of beer, Sprite, or unflavored seltzer
1/2 cup margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine bread mix and beer (or other drink) with a wooden spoon. Place batter into a greased loaf pan. Pour 1/3 of the margarine over the top. Bake for 40 minutes. Pour 1/3 margarine over bread again. Bake another 10 minutes. Pour the last 1/3 of the margarine over the bread. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool a bit before serving.

Variations:

• Add 1 cup grated cheddar cheese or Swiss cheese and 4 shakes of hot pepper sauce for a different flavor.
• Try adding 2 tablespoons dried dill weed for another variety.

---

Ranch-Style Dressing and Dip Mix

1-1/2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 tablespoon dried chives
1/4 tablespoon dried oregano
1/4 tablespoon dried tarragon
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning

Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach a gift tag with the following information:

Ranch Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon Ranch-Style Dressing and Dip Mix

In large bowl, whisk together the mayo, buttermilk, and dressing and dip mix. Refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Ranch Dip:
2 tablespoons Ranch-style Dressing and Dip Mix
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream or low-fat yogurt

Combine the dressing and dip mix with mayo and sour cream. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving with raw veggies. This can be used as a topping for baked potatoes or steamed veggies.

---