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Gifts in a Jar: Gingerbread Cookie Mix

Give the gift of baking with this adorable gift in a jar with a gingerbread cookie mix. A free printable gift tag with baking instructions is included. Add a cookie cutter to make the gift complete.
Gifts in a jar of gingerbread cookie mix with cookie cutter and baked cookies in background
Making gifts in a jar is a fun way to give a gift from your kitchen this holiday season. Gingerbread cookies are a delight to make around this time of year!
 
Mixing and rolling out the dough is a fun family tradition to start with your children. Cookie cutters bring the dough to life and eating the ginger treats makes it feel like Christmas!

Homemade Christmas Gifts

Gifts in a jar allows you to prepare the ingredients for a friend and it makes the gingerbread baking process simple and fun.  The list of ideal recipients is not limited to friends who like to bake—this makes a sweet gift for teachers, neighbors, hostess gifts, co-workers, and it is especially nice to have a few on hand as a last minute gift.

The recipe belongs to Kraft but I found it recently through the blog Nine and Sixteen.

There is a secret ingredient: butterscotch pudding mix! What? Yup, try it and you’ll see, this is the easiest gingerbread dough that you’ll come across. It has no trace of stickiness, it rolls so smoothly, and you will love the cookies.

Upcycle a container: 

I recycled a Costco cashews container to hold this gingerbread cookie mix.

You can put the ingredients in layers, which is quite pretty, or you can separate the ingredients into the steps listed in the recipe (i.e. mix the flour and spices in one bag, the brown sugar in another, and leave the pudding mix separate).

Decorate the container or jar with wrapping paper, burlap, or ribbon then add a cookie cutter to finish the gift. Yes, a gingerbread person would be perfect!

Please note, if your recipient has nut allergies, do not use a cashew container.

Try a large mason jar or a cookie jar would be a special way to present this gift.

Dry Ingredients for the Mix in the Jar:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 Tbsp. ground ginger 
  • 1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Butterscotch Flavor Instant Pudding

    Printable gift card recipe

    Print off the recipe instructions for the gift, which I’ll include an image of below and here for you to download, and add it to the container or change the recipe’s shape to fit on top of the lid.  Make sure to emphasize that butter and eggs need to be added to the mix.

    recipe tag for gift in a jar

    Pin this idea for later!

    Pinterest image for gingerbread mix in a jar with cookie cutter attached

Julia @ FaveCrafts

Thursday 14th of November 2013

Hi Holly, What a cute project! I love it so much that I decided to feature it in our roundup of gifts in a jar! Check it out here: http://www.favecraftsblog.com/christmas-gifts-in-a-jar/

Have a great day!

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Thursday 14th of November 2013

Thanks, Julia! I'll head on over to enjoy your roundup.

Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies

Friday 21st of December 2012

Butterscotch pudding, huh?! I am intrigued. :) This is such a cute gift idea--and I am all about homemade gifts this Christmas!

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Friday 21st of December 2012

Yes, Kiersten, try it! I was surprised to see butterscotch pudding mix in a cookie recipe but this dough was so easy to work with that I might start using the pudding mix in other baked goods too! Merry Christmas!

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Thursday 20th of December 2012

Thanks, Evelyn, I am glad you like this gingerbread mix. I am putting a few more together today for teachers' gifts at school. Merry Christmas!

Tessa

Wednesday 19th of December 2012

This is adorable! Glad you enjoy the recipe! I agree about the dough, it is great to work with and rolls out so easily. I recently made some of Martha Stewart's Dark Chocolate Cut Out Cookies. She had them alongside her gingerbread cookies in the December Living issues. I was pleasantly surprised by that recipe too. Another great dough and tasty. My kids prefer the gingerbread though! Have a wonderful Christmas! xo, Tessa

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Thursday 20th of December 2012

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'll take your advice on the chocolate cut out cookies, that would be a new recipe for me too. This Friday I am going to share the gingerbread cookies in more detail. I'll link back to you again if that is ok with you. Thanks again!

Karen Harris

Wednesday 19th of December 2012

Such a cute idea. I'm intrigued by the butterscotch pudding. I bet that gives it a wonderful flavor.

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Wednesday 19th of December 2012

Yes, me too, the butterscotch mix was a surprise to me. I have to say, though, that you can't really taste butterscotch as a prominent flavor in the baked cookies. The texture is perfect, though, and I won't need a different recipe for years to come. This is it!