DIY Cookie in a Jar Bar + Free Printable
Between the teachers and family and friends, we have quite a few people with whom we like to exchange gifts. It’s never anything expensive and usually something fun that we can do as a family together. Our turtle pretzel treats are always appreciated!
After my trip to the ALDI Headquarters and Test Kitchen, I have a new idea for this year. It’s simple and fun and the girls can help out, too.
We will have a DIY Cookie in a Jar Bar. We will get various cake mixes (they have yellow, devil’s food and even a gluten-free yellow) and some large Mason jars. Then, we will grab various mixins and get to town with mixing and decorating. Using large Mason jars, we measured out 2 cups of cake mix.
They have so many perfect baking add-ins at ALDI: sliced almonds, walnuts, pecans, butterscotch chips, various chocolate chips, marshmallows, raisins, dried cranberries and other dried fruits, shredded coconut, chocolate covered dried cherries and more. Basically all of the yum! You just place these on a counter top with little scoops or spoons and let the kids fill the jars the rest of the way with mix-ins.
(Plus, if we have extras, they make fun, festive decorations!)
Once the jars were filled, we wrapped and decorated them with various ribbons and twine to add a festive pop without being over-the-top.
And we finished them off with the baking directions! There is nothing worse than getting a mix and not knowing what to mix in and how long to cook them!
To make it easier for you, I’ve even included a free printable that you can click to download and print out at home to include with your cookies in a jar.
In my gluten-free mix, I also wanted it to be dairy free. I added sliced almonds, pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, shredded coconut and marshmallows. The cookies were fabulous and I don’t think anybody would know that they were gluten or dairy-free because they were all yum-full!
This is a fantastic idea. I love being able to make such a wide variety of mixes at one time
This is a great gift idea. Fun for the kids and enjoyed by all. Plus you don’t need to figure out where to put it after the holidays.
Love these ideas!
These are a great idea for gift giving. I was just planning on doing a cookie swap where we make the actual cookies but I think I will give each person a mason jarr and tell them to fill it with what it is needed instead. Love it!
So it makes cookie bars? Or cookies? Or a cake, I’m confused. Looks delicious for sure.
It makes cookies….it’s a DIY bar to have multiple people make their own jars. I couldn’t think of another way to say it DIY “cookie jar” bar. Does that help?
I like this as it makes a nice gift.
How adorable! I wonder if I can make these for neighbors this year. My jar would have ended up being a “trail mix” of marshmallows and chocolate chips….
I love this idea!!
I would love to do these DIY cookie-in-a-jar next year for Christmas if I get moved and have the space to make these. These would be a fantastic gift to give to family and friends.