25 Days of Desserts: Oatmeal-Chip Cookies in a Jar [RECIPE]

When you make a cookie mix in a jar, you have an instant delicious gift that your friends and family can make on their own time. 

I love the idea of cookie mixes in a jar for three reasons.

1) You don't actually have to make the cookies. Don't get me wrong, I love baking cookies, but it's messy, heats up the kitchen and takes time. When you make the mix, you did the measuring parts for your friends and family, but it only takes five minutes instead of an hour.

2) You have an instant adorable gift that isn't very expensive. Tie a bow on that jar and you have thoughtful, homemade cuteness, and seriously cheap. You can make a bunch of these mixes just by buying a few bags of ingredients.

3) Whoever you give it to can make it when they want cookies. While I love baking at the holidays... so does everyone else. Sometimes there is such thing as too many cookies. When you give this gift, your friends and family can make cookies in January when they run out of leftovers.

The recipe comes from Nestle's dessert site, Very Best Baking. 

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, or Butterscotch Flavored Morsels
• 1 1/2 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

COMBINE flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in small bowl. Place flour mixture in 1-quart jar. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.RECIPE TO ATTACH:
Beat 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter or margarine, 1 large egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until blended. Add cookie mix; mix well, breaking up any clumps. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 375° F. oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.