Christmas Cookies
as featured on ABC News, Christmas Eve Party with Debi Lilly segment

(can also name them Santa Snacks, Sweet Treats, Holiday Hooplas, etc)

Start with a 1 quart old fashioned Ball glass canning jar. (available at Menards, Hobby Lobby, Michael’s)

Ingredients for mix layered in jar:

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup m&ms
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Layer the ingredients in like this – using ¼ cup for all ingredients – as it fits best in the opening ontop the jar

(apparently Jacques Pepin folds a piece of paper lengthwise and uses this as a sort of “funnel/ramp” when you have a small opening like this…I will be trying this tomorrow)

First: flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt
Second: oats
Third: m&ms
Fourth: chocolate chips
Fifth: brown sugar
Sixth: white sugar
Seventh: chopped pecans

Pack each level down really tightly. Seriously – pack it in. I used a honey stirrer (flat bottomed for “packing” and it really made it all fit between layers. The ingredients should be flush to the top of the lid when you seal it up with the lid.

Next, cut a square of fabric (could also be colored tissue in a pinch) into a 7×7 square. (I prefer to use pinking shears for a nice, finished edge) Next cut a ribbon/cord 18” to wrap around the fabric to seal.

Place the fabric over the top of the jar, face up, so you can see the pattern. Place a rubber band over the jar, to hold the fabric into place while you add the ribbon to secure.

Tie ribbon into a knot, and for further detail I like to add small end knots at the end of each ribbon “tail” as well.

Print or handwrite labels for the front, featuring the name of the cookies, and the back, with baking directions.

Directions to print for label on back of jar:

Stir all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Add 1 slightly beaten egg
1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry mix. Then roll the cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, place on a parchment covered baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes in 350 degree oven. Makes 25 cookies.

These make wonderful favors for holidays parties, teacher gifts that the kids make by hand (beware – you may have more ingredients on the kitchen floor than inside your jars!), and hostess gifts.

Notes:
Vary the color of the m n ms by season or special occasion…pastel for easter, green for St. Patty’s Day, brown for a boys’ bd party, and so many, many more.

You could also order custom printed m n ms with bride/groom names or monogram, logo or icon, and more!

Happy holidays one and all.