Mason Jar Mixes Gift Ideas

Small gifts of food make perfect presents during the holidays, birthdays or other events throughout the year. Surprise your favorite party hostess with a Mason jar filled with potpourri. Fill a Mason jar with mulling spices for a teacher’s present. Give grandma a Mason jar of hot cocoa mix with marshmallow snowman faces and candy canes tied to the jar with ribbons. Make a Mason jar mix by simply layering dry ingredients in the jar (like colored sand art!), then tie with a pretty bow and other décor. You’re all set!

Here are more recipes for Mason jar mixes for the food lover.

Lentil Soup Mason Jar Mix

In a pint size mason jar, layer the ingredients in the following order with the first ingredient at the bottom of the jar:

• 1/2 cup red lentils
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons dried onion
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup green lentils
• 1/2 cup dried apples
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley

Cut a circle of fabric to make a cover for the lid and attach a tag to the jar with the following cooking instructions:

• Place contents of the jar in a large saucepan with 3 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.
• Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Makes4 cupsof soup.

Whole Wheat Pancake Mason Jar Mix

The following recipe will fill a quart jar:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups white flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1-1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons baking powder

Pack the pancake mix with a gift of other kitchen utensils along with these cooking directions:

• Plain pancakes: Mix together 1 cup pancake mix, 1/2 cup milk, 2 teaspoons vegetable oil and 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla.
• Banana pancakes: Use the plain pancake recipe and add 2 tablespoons yogurt, ½ cup applesauce and 2 mashed bananas.

Scented Sugar Mason Jar Mix

Scented sugar is a gift that everyone can use and will stay fresh for quite a while. Scented sugar can be used to make cookies or other holiday treats. Here’s how to make scented sugar:

• Fill the bottom of a Mason jar with 1/2 inch of sugar.
• Add a layer of your favorite scent.
• Continue adding a layer of sugar followed by a layer of scent until the sugar layer is on top and is 1/4 inch from the top of the jar.
• Put the lid on the jar and let set for a few days.

Here are some ideas for different scents:

• Citrus peel from lemons, oranges or grapefruit. Cut off the white pith and use only the colored part of the peel.
• Use rose petal sugar to sweeten tea.
• Give a gift from your garden with herbal sugars from mint and lavender.
• An alternative to sugar is a gift of scented salt. Add dried garlic, lemon zest or dried chili pepper to sea salt.

Wrap the Mason jar in a tea towel, tie with a ribbon and add a tag. Include helpful hints on how to use the scented sugar in cakes, cookies and tea.