Gifts in a Jar Recipes

[Jen Blackburn]

“Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love.”
Craig Claiborne

[Jen Blackburn]

Hot Chocolate Mix

One is never too old to enjoy hot chocolate, and this is a special way to share it with a friend.

3 cups powdered milk
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
Dash of salt
Sift the ingredients into a large bowl. Pack the mix into an airtight container.

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Hot Chocolate
Serves 1
4 tablespoons Hot Chocolate Mix
8 ounces boiling water
Marshmallows or whipped cream
Place the Hot Chocolate Mix into a mug. Pour in the boiling water. Stir until the Chocolate
mix is dissolved. Garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream.

[Jen Blackburn]

Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix

This spicy cider tastes delicious after winter sports, so here's just the gift for a hostess on a ski vacation.

1/2 cup dried cranberries
12 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp. crushed whole cloves
2 Tbsp. whole allspice
In a small bowl, stir the cranberries and spices together. Store in an airtight container.

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Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
Serves 12 to 14
2 quarts apple cider
1 quart water
1 package Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
2 oranges, sliced
In a large saucepan combine the cider, water, and Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix. Heat
through but do not boil. Add most of the orange slices. Serve warm, garnished with the
remaining orange slices.

[Jen Blackburn]

White Hot Chocolate Mix

A great idea for a major chocoholic.

1 tsp. vanilla powder
1 tsp. dried orange peel
1/2 cup grated white chocolate or white chocolate chips
Combine and blend the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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White Hot Chocolate
Serves 2
1 and 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup White Hot Chocolate Mix
In a small saucepan, heat the milk until bubbles form around the outside. Add the White
Hot Chocolate Mix and whisk until the chocolate is melted. Continue to whisk until the
mixture is hot.

[Jen Blackburn]

Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix

1/3 cup light brown sugar
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. powdered vanilla
1/4 cup cocoa
2 1/2 cups powdered milk
Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Mexican Hot Chocolate
Serves 6
3 cups water
Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix (to taste)
Cinnamon sticks for garnish
Heat the water to boiling and add the Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix. Stir with a whisk until
the mixture is smooth. Garnish with cinnamon sticks. For a frothier hot chocolate, mix in a
blender.

[Jen Blackburn]

Mexican Fiesta Dip Mix

This is an unusual Southwestern dip mix that can be given in a small sombrero.

1/2 cup dried parsley
1/3 cup minced onion
1/4 cup dried chives
1/3 cup chili powder
1/4 cup ground cumin
1/4 cup salt
In a large bowl, combine the spices and store in an airtight container.

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Mexican Fiesta Dip
Makes 2 cups
3 Tbsp. Mexican Fiesta Dip Mix
1 cup mayonnaise or low-fat mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream or low-fat yogurt
In a medium mixing bowl combine the Dip Mix with the mayonnaise and sour cream.
Whisk the mixture until smooth. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Serve with tortilla chips or
fresh vegetables.

[Jen Blackburn]

Curried Rice Mix

This curried rice mix is an interesting complement for plain chicken or pork.

1 cup long-grain rice
1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled
2 Tbsp. dried minced onion
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 tsp. curry powder

Layer the ingredients in the order given in a 1 & 1/2-cup jar.

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Curried Rice
Serves 6
2 1/2 cups water
1 package Curried Rice Mix
In a medium saucepan bring the water to a boil. Add the rice mix. Cover and reduce the heat
to a simmer for 20 minutes.

[Jen Blackburn]

Turkey Noodle Soup Mix

This is a great way to use leftover turkey.

1 cup uncooked fine egg noodles
1 1/2 Tbsp. chicken-flavored bouillon
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. dried whole thyme
1/8 tsp. celery seeds
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 bay leaf
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Turkey Noodle Soup
1 package Turkey Noodle Soup Mix
8 cups water
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup minced onion
3 cups cooked diced turkey

Combine the Turkey Noodle Soup Mix and the water in a large stockpot. Add the carrots,
celery, and onion and bring to a boil. Cover the soup and reduce the heat to a simmer.
Simmer for 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in the turkey and simmer an additional 5
minutes.

[Jen Blackburn]

Ranch Dressing and Dip Mix

This versatile mix can be used to make a dressing for salads, a dip for fresh veggies, or topping for baked potatoes.

1 1/2 Tbsp. dried parsley
1/2 Tbsp. dried chives
1/4 Tbsp. dried tarragon
1/2 Tbsp. lemon pepper
1 Tbsp. salt
1/4 Tbsp. oregano
1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder
In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients. Store in an airtight container.

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Ranch Dressing
Makes 1 cup
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 Tbsp. Ranch Pressing & Dip Mix

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

Ranch Dip
Makes 2 cups
2 Tbsp. Ranch Dressing & Dip Mix
1 cup mayonnaise or low-fat mayo
1 cup sour cream or low-fat yogurt
Combine the Ranch Dressing and Dip Mix with mayonnaise and sour cream. Refrigerate for
2 hours before serving with raw vegetables, or as a topping for baked potatoes.

[Jen Blackburn]

Lemon Pepper Seasoning Mix

Lemon pepper adds a piquant flavor when used on grilled meats.

1 cup ground black pepper
1/3 cup dried lemon peel
3 Tbsp. coriander seeds
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/4 cup dried thyme leaves
Stir all the ingredients together and store in airtight jars.

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Grilled Lemon Chicken
Serves 4
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. Lemon Pepper Seasoning Mix
6 chicken cutlets
Preheat the broiler or BBQ grill. In a low, flat dish stir together the lemon juice, oil and
Lemon Pepper Seasoning Mix. Add the chicken breasts, and marinate in the refrigerator for
30 to 45 minutes. Grill over hot coals or broil for 4 minutes on each side, or until done.
Serve hot or at room temperature.

[Jen Blackburn]

Pizza Dough Mix

This is a gift for friends of all ages, whether a starving college student or a senior citizen--everyone loves pizza.

2 3/4 cups bread flour
1 package (1 Tbsp.) active dry yeast
2 tsp. salt
In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients. Place the mix in an airtight container.

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Pizza
Makes 2 12-inch pizzas
1 package Pizza Dough Mix
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup warm water
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 tsp. crushed oregano
Place the Pizza Dough Mix in a large bowl & add the oil and water. Beat with a wooden
spoon or dough hook until mixture forms a ball. Turn out onto a floured board and knead
for 5 minutes. Transfer to a greased bowl and let the dough rise for 90 minutes. Divide the
dough in half and pat into two 12-inch circles. For thin crust, fill and bake the pizzas now.
For thicker crust, let pizzas rise 30 to 45 minutes. Top the pizza dough with tomato sauce,
cheeses of your choice, crushed oregano, and olive oil drizzled over the pizzas.
Preheat the oven and bake at 425 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

[Jen Blackburn]

California Corn Bread Mix

This is a sweet, cake-like corn bread that is delicious with honey butter.

2 cups Bisquick baking mix
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder

In a large glass or ceramic bowl, stir all the ingredients together. Store in an airtight
container.

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California Corn Bread
Serves 4 to 6
1 package California Corn Bread Mix
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the corn bread mix in a large mixing bowl and add
the eggs, milk and butter. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Poor into a greased 8-inch
baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.

[Jen Blackburn]

Ginger Spice Muffin Mix

A great gift for people on the go!!

1 3/4 cups flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Store the mixture in an airtight container.

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Ginger Spice Muffins
Makes 1 dozen
1 pkg. Ginger Spice Muffin Mix
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup milk
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and grease 12 muffin tins. In a large bowl, combine the
muffin mix with the butter, egg, vanilla and milk Stir the mixture until the ingredients are
blended. Do not overmix. The batter will be lumpy. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full, and bake for 15
minutes.

[Jen Blackburn]

Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake Mix

This cake is delightful with its lemony flavor and the added crunch of poppy seeds.

1 1/2 cups sugar
3 cups cake flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup poppy seeds
Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Blend with a wire whisk. Store the mix
in an airtight container.

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Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake
Serves 8
3/4 cup butter
6 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. lemon extract (not lemon juice)
Zest of 1 lemon
1 pkg. Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake Mix
Glaze:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8- to 9-cup Bundt pan. In the large bowl of an
electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
Add the milk, extracts, and lemon zest. The mixture will look curdled. Add the Cake Mix,
and continue to beat on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes until mixture is smooth. Pour the
batter into greased pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Glaze: Combine sugar and lemon
juice in a small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to boil for 3 minutes. When cake is
removed from oven, poke cake all over with a wooden skewer and brush glaze over cake.
Let the cake stand for 1 hour and remove from pan to cool on a wire rack. Wrap the cake in
plastic wrap.

[Jen Blackburn]

Spiced Apple Cake Mix

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. powdered vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup golden raisins
Combine and blend ingredients in a medium bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Spiced Apple Cake
Serves 8 to 10
1 package Spiced Apple Cake Mix
1 1/2 cups canola oil
3 large eggs
3 cups chopped apples
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F & grease a tube or Bundt pan. Place the Spiced Apple
Cake Mix into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the Mix; add the oil, eggs,
and apples. Stir until mixture is smooth. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour &
10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool; remove from
the cake pan.

[Jen Blackburn]

Carrot Cake Mix

2 cups sugar
2 tsp. powdered vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Carrot Cake
Makes 1 13x9-inch cake
1 package Carrot Cake Mix
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 large eggs
3 cups grated carrots
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F & grease 13x9 inch pan. Place Carrot Cake Mix in large
mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the mix & add the oil, eggs, carrots & pineapple.
Blend until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan & bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a
toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool the cake and frost if desired or dust
with powdered sugar.

[Jen Blackburn]

Cobbler Mix

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. powdered vanilla
Combine and blend the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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Berry Cobbler
Serves 8 to 10
4 cups fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries or
boysenberries)
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
1 package Cobbler Mix
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In large mixing bowl combine berries, juice, sugar and
cinnamon. Place berries in a 13x9-inch pan. In small mixing bowl blend the butter with the
egg. Add the Cobbler Mix & stir until the mixture sticks together. Drop the cobbler topping
by tablespoonfuls on top of the berry filling. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the topping
is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

[Jen Blackburn]

Double-Fudge Brownie Mix

Dense and fudgy, these are the best brownies in the world.

2 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa (not Dutch process)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips
Mix all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

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Double-Fudge Brownies
Makes 24
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
4 eggs
1 package Double-Fudge Brownie Mix
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 12 by 9 inch pan. In the large bowl of an
electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each
addition. Add the Double-Fudge Brownie Mix & continue to beat the mixture until it is
smooth. Spread the mixture into the greased pan, & bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

[Jen Blackburn]

Snickerdoodle Mix

Snickerdoodles are soft sugar cookies dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups sugar
In a large bowl, combine the ingredients with a whisk. Store the mix in an airtight container.

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Snickerdoodles
Makes about 5 dozen cookies
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 package Snickerdoodle Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter until
light; add the eggs & beat on low speed until the mixture is smooth. Add the Snickerdoodle
Mix & continue to beat on low speed until the dough begins to form. Combine the sugar &
cinnamon in a small bowl. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls & roll in the cinnamon-sugar
blend. Arrange on ungreased baking sheets 2 inches apart & bake for 16 to 19 minutes, or
until light tan. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

[Jen Blackburn]

Molasses Cookie Mix

Soft, crinkle-coated with sugar, and spicy, these old-fashioned cookies are delightful.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ginger

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Store the mix in an airtight container.

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Molasses Cookies
Makes 4 dozen cookies
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup sulfured molasses
1 package Molasses Cookie Mix
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In large bowl, cream together the butter, egg, and molasses.
Add the Molasses Cookie Mix and beat until smooth. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls; roll
in granulated sugar & place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 9 to 11
minutes. Cool on wire racks.

[Jen Blackburn]

Scottish Shortbread Mix

This older recipe never fails to bring a smile.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients, blending well. Store in an airtight container.

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Scottish Shortbread
Makes 16 pieces
1 cup butter, softened
1 package Scottish Shortbread Mix

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Knead the butter into the shortbread mix and press the
mixture firmly into an 8-inch pie plate, or shortbread mold. Bake for 1 hour. The shortbread
should be pale in color, not browned. Cut into wedges while still warm.

[Jen Blackburn]

Candy Cookie Mix

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tsp. powdered vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until they are
evenly distributed, making sure all brown sugar lumps are crushed. Store in an airtight
container.

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Candy Cookies
Makes 3 dozen cookies
1 cup unsalted butter or margarine, softened
1 large egg
1 package Candy Cookie Mix
1 cup candy bar chunks (Reese's peanut butter cups, Butterfinger bars, white or milk
chocolate chunks)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is smooth. Add the egg, and continue beating until the egg is combined. Add the Candy Cookie Mix and candy bar chunks and blend on low just until the cookie mix is incorporated. Form the cookies into 1 1/2-inch balls & place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden on the edges. Remove from oven, and cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes.