Layered cookies in a jar are quick easy and fun to make. And they are delicious too! I’ve been getting ready for Easter by making these for all who will be coming over for dinner Easter Sunday. When I have a little more time on my hands, it is fun to get back into the creative side of things. I absolutely LOVE making food gifts for others. Below is my version of the Cowboy cookie recipe. I’ve used the pastel M&M’s for Easter, but you could use other colors at other times of the year as well.
Layered Cookies in a Jar
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cup quick-cooking oats
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans**
- 1 cup M&M’s (I’ve used the pastel Easter ones here)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
Additional ingredients:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 extra large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Layer the ingredients in order listed into a 1 quart wide mouth canning jar starting with the oats. If you have a canning funnel, that is helpful. Pack the ingredients as you go. The top layer will be the sugar.
Place the lid on the jar. I decorated a piece of cotton fabric with my Easter Mason Jar Alphabet machine embroidery design which you can find here. As a side note, this design fits in a 4 x 4 hoop and contains all alphabet letters.
After machine embroidering the design, I cut it into a 5 ½” circle using my pinking shears.
To make the cookies:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat together butter, egg and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed or mix by hand.
- Roll into 1” balls and place on a cookie sheet 2” apart.
- Flatten balls using the bottom of a glass.
- Bake for 12 to 13 minutes.
- Let cool for just a minute before removing from the cookie sheet.
- Enjoy!
For gift giving:
Include a note with the jar that lists the liquid ingredients that the recipient will need to provide as well as mixing and baking instructions.
When I make mine, I line up the number of canning jars I’m going to create and then make these in assembly line fashion.
They are so much fun to make and it creates the most charming gift.
When I make mine, I line up the required number of wide mouth quart mason jars that I need and put these together in an assembly line fashion. It goes quick and easy. Have your grandchildren help build these and enjoy munching on a few M&M’s in the process!
Enjoy,
Nancy