25 Mason Jar Cookie Mix Gifts with Free Printable Tags

Let’s be honest: as much as I adore the holiday season, the sheer volume of baking can turn my kitchen into a disaster zone. Between the flour clouds and the mountain of dishes, sometimes I just want to give a thoughtful gift without the cleanup.

Enter the “Bulk-Batch Assembly Line.”

These DIY mason jar cookie mix recipes for gifts are my absolute favorite holiday hack. They are effortless to assemble, incredibly budget-friendly, and look like they came straight from a boutique. Whether you need cheap bulk christmas gifts for coworkers or a sweet surprise for the neighbors, these jars are the “Swiss Army Knife” of holiday gifting.

And because I know not everyone has a sweet tooth, I’m also sharing my secret recipe for a savory dry soup mix in a jar. We are covering all the bases!

Don’t forget to pin this recipe to your Christmas Food board so you can find it easily later!

[Image-1: A stunning, mouth-watering photograph of the final finished M&M Cookie Jar and Five-Bean Soup Jar side-by-side, tied with rustic twine and festive tags, sitting on a wooden table with evergreen clippings.]

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🧣 🛠️ Santa’s Workshop: Tools & Ingredients

Before we start layering, we need to set up our station. The secret to those stunning, clean lines you see on Pinterest isn’t magic—it’s the right tools.

You absolutely need 1-quart Wide-Mouth Mason Jars. Please, do not try this with standard mouth jars; you will spill flour everywhere, and it will be a headache!

Here are the tools that save my sanity:

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🧣 🍪 The Classic Holiday M&M Cookie Mix

This is the crowd-pleaser. It’s colorful, nostalgic, and makes chewy, perfect cookies.

The Layering Strategy (Bottom to Top):

1. The Flour Base: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 cups All-Purpose Flour, 1/2 tsp Baking Soda, and 1/2 tsp Salt. Pour this into the bottom of the jar.

• Nancy’s Pro Tip: After pouring the flour, wrap a paper towel around the handle of a wooden spoon and wipe the inside of the glass. This ensures the next layer pops!

1. The Oats: Add 1/2 cup Rolled Oats. (Do not use quick oats, they get too mushy!).
2. The Brown Sugar: Add 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar. Pack this down hard using your tart tamper.
3. The White Sugar: Add 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar.
4. The Mix-Ins: Top with 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips and 1/2 cup Holiday M&Ms.

[Image-2: A close-up process shot showing the tart tamper pressing down the brown sugar layer to create a distinct, flat line before the white sugar is added.]

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🧣 🍲 The “Cozy Night In” Five-Bean Soup Mix

Let’s switch gears. Sometimes, after a month of sugar cookies, people crave something savory. This dry soup mix in a jar is healthy, vegan-friendly, and looks rustic and beautiful.

The Layering Strategy (Bottom to Top):

1. The Flavor Bomb: Combine 1/4 cup Beef or Vegetable Bouillon Granules, 2 tbsp Dried Minced Onion, 1 tsp Dried Thyme, and 1 tsp Garlic Powder. Pour this in first so it settles at the bottom.
2. The Beans: Layer the following in order for the best contrast:

• 1/2 cup Barley
• 1/2 cup Dried Split Peas
• 1/2 cup Brown Rice
• 1/2 cup Dried Lentils
• 1/2 cup Kidney Beans (or a fun tri-color bean blend)

1. The Garnish: Tuck a whole Bay Leaf down the side of the jar so it’s visible. It looks chef-kiss professional.

[Image-3: A shot of the funnel being used to pour split peas into the jar, highlighting the beautiful texture contrast between the layers of barley and beans.]

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🧣 🏷️ The Finishing Touch: Free Printable Tags

A jar of ingredients is just a jar until you tell the recipient what to do with it! The biggest mistake I see? People forget to include the instructions.

For the Cookie Mix Tag:

““Beat 1 stick of softened butter, 1 egg, and 1 tsp vanilla until fluffy. Add jar contents and mix well. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.””

For the Soup Mix Tag:

““Remove bay leaf. Rinse beans. Add jar contents to a large pot with 6 cups of water and a can of diced tomatoes. Simmer for 90 minutes or until beans are tender. Serve with crusty bread!””

You can print these on cardstock, punch a hole, and tie them on with a red velvet ribbon or rustic twine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size mason jar for cookie mix?

You always want a 1-quart wide-mouth mason jar. A pint jar is too small for a full batch of cookies, and a standard mouth is too difficult to fill cleanly.

How long do cookie mixes in a jar last?

Generally, these edible holiday gifts are best used within 3 to 6 months. While the dry ingredients last longer, the baking powder can lose potency over time, leading to flat cookies.

How to pack brown sugar in a jar so it doesn’t harden?

The trick is placement! Sandwich the brown sugar between the flour and white sugar. If it’s exposed to the air at the top, it turns into a brick. Also, ensure your jar lid is sealed tight!

Why won’t all the ingredients fit in the jar?

This is common! You need to tap the jar firmly on the counter (on a towel) between every single layer. Using a tamper to compress the oats and brown sugar is crucial to making room for the M&Ms.

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