Healthier Oat & Whole Wheat Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix in a Jar: The Ultimate DIY Edible Gift
Looking for a thoughtful, personal, and undeniably delicious gift? Our healthier oat and whole wheat snickerdoodle cookie mix in a jar is a timeless classic that always brings a smile! This delightful DIY gift is not only simple to assemble in just 10 minutes but also provides a wholesome twist on a beloved treat. Package it up for holidays, teacher appreciation gifts, hostess presents, or as a warm gesture for anyone who could use a delightful homemade cookie.
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When I recently surveyed my email subscribers about their most cherished handmade gifts to give and receive, one answer consistently emerged as the overwhelming favorite: food gifts. There’s something uniquely special about receiving a consumable treat, especially when it’s prepared with love and care.
My subscribers highlighted several key advantages of edible gifts. They’re often much easier and more budget-friendly to prepare than other types of presents. Crucially, they’re consumable, meaning they won’t clutter homes or gather dust, a common pitfall of many material gifts. Instead, they offer a delightful experience and create cherished memories.
Moreover, food gifts boast incredible versatility, making them suitable for nearly any recipient and occasion. Attending a dinner party? A delicious food gift makes a perfect hostess present. Want to express gratitude to a dedicated teacher? An artisanal food item is always appreciated. Stumped for a gift for that family member who seems to have everything? Chances are, they don’t have *your* specially prepared cookie mix, artisanal bread blend, or heartwarming soup mix!
Naturally, the holiday season stands out as a prime opportunity for sharing the joy of homemade food gifts. While I personally adore gifting a beautiful assortment of freshly baked cookies and candies, I also find immense satisfaction in creating (and receiving!) food gifts presented in jars. These clever packages allow the recipient the flexibility to bake or prepare the item at their convenience, long after the immediate hustle and bustle of the holidays have subsided.
Over the years, I’ve shared various popular jarred gift ideas, including hearty Red Beans and Rice Mix, fragrant Rosemary Focaccia Bread Mix, and a comforting Cinnamon-Oat Pancake Mix. These DIY options have proven to be incredibly popular for their practicality and charm.
To this cherished collection, I’m thrilled to introduce this exquisite Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix in a Jar. This particular recipe adapts my beloved multigrain snickerdoodle recipe, transforming it into a convenient mix. Imagine the delight of a friend or family member who can whip up a batch of warm, soft snickerdoodles in the quiet calm *after* all the holiday sweets have become a distant memory. It’s truly the perfect timing for a simple, yet profoundly satisfying, cookie pick-me-up.
This Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix stands out as an exceptional gift option for several compelling reasons:
- Healthier Indulgence: Unlike traditional snickerdoodles, this mix incorporates finely ground oats and whole wheat pastry flour. This makes them subtly healthier, adding beneficial fiber and nutrients, without compromising an ounce of that classic, melt-in-your-mouth snickerdoodle flavor and texture. They’re just as delicious, with an added wholesome touch.
- Pantry Staple Convenience: You’ll only need six basic, readily available pantry ingredients to assemble each jar. There’s no need for special shopping trips or obscure components, making this project stress-free and accessible.
- Budget-Friendly Charm: Because it relies on common, inexpensive pantry staples, this cookie mix is incredibly economical. You can create a truly thoughtful and impressive gift without breaking the bank, allowing you to make several for your entire gift list.
- Quick & Easy Assembly: Each jar can be prepared and layered in approximately 10 minutes. This makes it an ideal solution for those last-minute gift emergencies (we all have them, don’t we?) or when you simply want to churn out several handmade gifts efficiently.
This delightful recipe is proudly featured as part of The Sweetest Season, an inspiring annual virtual cookie swap event. This wonderful initiative is skillfully co-hosted by Erin from The Speckled Palate and Susannah from Feast + West. Each year, a community of talented food bloggers comes together to share innovative and festive holiday cookie recipes, perfect for baking and gifting.
This year, The Sweetest Season is dedicated to raising vital funds for Cookies 4 Kids’ Cancer. This esteemed 501(c)3 non-profit organization is passionately committed to funding groundbreaking research for new, innovative, and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer. Every contribution helps make a significant difference in the lives of young patients.
Join us in supporting this incredibly important cause! You can make a difference by donating through our dedicated fundraising page.
An exciting development this year is that Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is currently in a matching donation window with their generous friends at OXO. This means OXO will match every dollar raised through the end of 2024, up to an incredible $100,000! Any money we collectively raise will automatically be doubled on our fundraising page, maximizing our impact and bringing us closer to finding a cure.
Alright, let’s dive into the details of creating these charming cookie mix jars. I’ll share essential tips to ensure your layers are perfect and also provide a free printable tag that you can easily download, cut out, and attach to your beautiful gift jars.
Crafting Your Oat & Whole Wheat Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix in a Jar
Creating these delightful cookie mixes is not only straightforward but also a joy. The key to an attractive jar lies in careful layering and using the right ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Ingredients Needed for Each Jar
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: This is crucial for the texture. Whole wheat pastry flour, or white whole wheat flour, provides a lighter, more tender crumb that closely mimics traditional snickerdoodles while offering the nutritional benefits of whole grains. Regular whole wheat flour is significantly heavier and will result in a denser, chewier cookie, altering the expected snickerdoodle consistency.
- Rolled Oats, finely ground: We’ll process these to an almost flour-like consistency. The oats contribute a wonderful chewiness, a subtle nutty flavor, and additional fiber, making these cookies even more wholesome.
- Granulated Sugar: You’ll need sugar for both the cookie dough itself and a separate portion for the classic cinnamon-sugar topping.
- Baking Powder: Essential for giving the cookies their signature puff and soft texture.
- Salt: A pinch of salt perfectly balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the cookie.
- Ground Cinnamon: This spice is the heart of a snickerdoodle, providing its iconic warm, aromatic flavor. It’s used both in the dough and mixed with sugar for the distinctive coating.
Step-by-Step Directions for Jar Assembly
The first step in preparing your cookie mix jar is to process the rolled oats. Take your rolled oats and grind them as finely as possible in a blender or food processor. Aim for a texture that’s almost like flour, but with some very small, cornmeal-sized pieces still visible. This fine grind ensures the oats integrate seamlessly into the dough for a smooth cookie texture, while still contributing their unique character. You can observe the desired result in the top right of the ingredients photo above.
Once your oats are prepared, the next exciting step is to begin layering the dry ingredients into your clean, dry quart-sized mason jar. The order of layering is important, not just for aesthetics but also to help settle the ingredients correctly. Follow the sequence: flour, baking powder and salt, ground oats, and finally, sugar.
PRO TIP 1: To ensure a clean and mess-free layering process, I highly recommend using a large funnel. This canning funnel is incredibly versatile and proves useful for far more than just canning, making ingredient transfer a breeze!
Ever wonder how to achieve beautifully distinct layers in your jar, even with smaller ingredient quantities that tend to blend? Here’s a clever trick:
PRO TIP 2: When adding ingredients like baking powder or cinnamon, measure the desired amount into a small bowl first. Then, using a small spoon, carefully sprinkle the ingredient evenly around the very edge of the previous layer, leaving the center relatively clear. This technique, as demonstrated in the image above, creates a visible ring of the new ingredient, enhancing the visual appeal of your layered mix. This works wonderfully for spices like cinnamon too!
Continue adding your layers, always ending with the 1 cup of granulated sugar. Remember that the goal is not just to add ingredients but to create a beautiful presentation that entices the recipient.
PRO TIP 3: To create the most striking and compact layers, and to ensure you have adequate space in your jar, gently but firmly tap the bottom of the jar on your counter after adding each new layer. This helps settle the ingredients, removes air pockets, and compacts the layers. If you have a hard surface like quartz, place a cutting board underneath to protect both your counter and your jar.
The final touch for your cookie mix jar is the cinnamon-sugar topping. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar with the teaspoon of cinnamon in a small, sealable baggie. Mix them together thoroughly until the sugar is evenly coated with cinnamon. Remove as much air as possible from the baggie, seal it securely, and then gently press it into the very top of the layered ingredients in the jar. Finally, secure the jar with its lid, which will help hold the baggie in place.
Behold the finished product! In the image above, you can clearly admire the distinct layers: the whole wheat pastry flour at the bottom, followed by the thin, delicate layer of baking powder and salt, then the substantial layer of finely ground oats, and finally the main sugar layer, all topped with the convenient baggie of cinnamon-sugar mixture. This visual appeal is what makes a cookie mix in a jar such a charming and highly appreciated gift.
Free Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix Jar Tags & Printing Tips
Your beautifully layered jar of snickerdoodle cookie mix is almost complete! To make it a truly complete and functional gift, you’ll need to attach a tag with the baking instructions for the recipient. This thoughtful addition ensures they can easily transform your dry mix into warm, freshly baked cookies. Once the jar is sealed, you can enhance its presentation with a simple bow, a rustic piece of colorful baker’s twine, or even a pretty ribbon to elegantly attach the tag.
To access your free printable tags, simply click on the image of the tags displayed below. This will open a new window, allowing you to easily download the PDF to your computer. (Alternatively, you can click here to open the PDF directly.)
Detailed Instructions for Printing & Cutting Out Your Tags:
- The printable PDF includes two pages. One page features the cookie name for the front of the tag, and the other contains the complete baking directions for the back. For the best aesthetic, print these pages back-to-back on a colored printer. This will give you the attractive kraft paper tag color visible in the photos.
- For a durable and professional-looking tag, use a heavyweight paper or a light cardstock. Regular printer paper might be too flimsy for a gift tag.
- You might notice that the front and back tag designs don’t align perfectly when printed. Don’t worry, this is normal and won’t be an issue! First, carefully cut along the lines on the front side of the tags. After cutting, simply trim away any small bits of white border you might see on the back. It always works out beautifully once trimmed.
- Use a standard hole punch to create the tag hole at the designated white circle. This should align perfectly with the design, allowing you to thread your twine or ribbon through.
Cookies In A Jar FAQs
Since these cookie mixes are exclusively composed of dry pantry ingredients, their shelf life is generally determined by the freshness of the individual components, particularly the baking powder. Baking powder is often the first ingredient to lose its potency, which can affect the cookies’ rise. As a rule of thumb, a well-sealed mix stored in a cool, dark place (like a pantry) will remain fresh for about 4 to 6 months. If your recipe includes perishable additions like nuts, which can go rancid faster, it’s best to recommend consumption within 3-4 months for optimal flavor.
One of the most appealing aspects of this snickerdoodle mix in a jar is its incredible affordability. Because it utilizes basic, inexpensive pantry staples like flour, oats, and sugar, the cost per jar typically comes in at less than $2. While mixes that include more gourmet or specialty ingredients such as chocolate chips, various nuts, or dried fruits might increase the price, most cookie-in-a-jar recipes still manage to stay under $5 per jar, making them a very budget-friendly gift option compared to store-bought alternatives.
This particular snickerdoodle recipe has been meticulously tested and perfected using the specified ingredients to achieve its ideal taste and texture. Therefore, I cannot definitively guarantee the same results with substitutions. For instance, using brown sugar or coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar would likely alter the cookie’s texture and moisture content, potentially changing the classic snickerdoodle consistency. Similarly, opting for regular whole wheat flour would yield a noticeably denser cookie, as it’s much heavier than whole wheat pastry flour. However, if you wish to experiment, a blend of half regular whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour might offer a compromise without making the cookies too heavy.
Creative Ideas for Packaging Your Gift
While the cookie mix jar is a charming gift on its own, you can elevate its presentation and create an even more memorable package by adding a few complementary cookie-related items:
- Pair the jar with a beautiful wooden spoon and a stylish tea towel for a practical and aesthetically pleasing kitchen set.
- Include a 1-inch cookie scoop. This often-overlooked tool is the secret to achieving perfectly uniform, round cookies, ensuring every batch looks professionally made.
- Add a small box of high-quality coffee or a selection of fine teas, depending on the recipient’s preference. Few things pair as wonderfully with freshly baked cookies as a warm beverage.
- For a truly special touch, bake a small batch of your own multigrain snickerdoodles from the original recipe. Package a few alongside the jar so the recipient can “taste test” what their own delicious cookies will be like!
- Consider adding a handwritten recipe card from your own collection, sharing a favorite tip for enjoying snickerdoodles or a personal message.
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Oat & Whole Wheat Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix
Equipment
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quart size jar
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large funnel
Ingredients
For Each Jar (layer in order given):
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour (or white whole wheat flour)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (layer around edge of jar to show)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats, ground to flour consistency in a blender
- 1 cup sugar
Cinnamon-Sugar Topping (for baggie in jar):
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
To Add Later:
- 3/4 cup butter (1 ½ sticks), softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Layer Dry Ingredients:
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In a clean, dry quart-size mason jar, carefully add the dry ingredients in the precise order listed: whole wheat pastry flour, then baking powder and salt, followed by the ground oats, and finally the granulated sugar. Utilize a large funnel to minimize mess, and remember to firmly tap the jar on the counter between each layer to settle the ingredients and create distinct, beautiful layers.
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Prepare and seal the cinnamon-sugar topping: In a small, separate baggie, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar with the teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix them together thoroughly. Gently press out as much air as possible from the baggie and seal it tightly. Fold or shape the baggie as needed to fit neatly into the remaining space at the top of the jar, then seal the entire jar with its lid to hold the baggie in place.
When Ready to Bake (by the recipient):
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Lightly grease or line two standard cookie sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and consistent baking.
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In the large bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), cream the softened butter until it’s light and fluffy. Then, add the two eggs and the vanilla extract, mixing until all ingredients are well combined. Don’t worry if there are still a few small lumps, especially if your butter wasn’t perfectly soft.
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Carefully empty the entire contents of the snickerdoodle mix jar into the mixer bowl with the wet ingredients. Remember to set aside the small baggie of cinnamon-sugar topping for later. Beat the mixture at a low speed until all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and a cohesive cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
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Pour the reserved cinnamon-sugar mix from the baggie into a small, shallow bowl. Take portions of the cookie dough and shape them into uniform 1-inch balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring it’s well coated, then place them approximately 2 inches apart on your prepared cookie sheets.
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Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers should still appear soft. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage (up to 3 months).
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One beautifully prepared jar of this mix will yield approximately 28-30 delectable snickerdoodle cookies, perfect for sharing or savoring!
Notes
Should you wish to bake these delightful cookies directly without preparing the jar mix, you can find my original, full multigrain snickerdoodle cookie recipe here for immediate enjoyment.
Nutrition
Making and gifting these healthier oat and whole wheat snickerdoodle cookie mixes in a jar is more than just sharing a recipe; it’s about sharing warmth, thoughtfulness, and the joy of homemade goodness. This simple, inexpensive, and quick DIY project creates a lasting impression and provides a delicious experience for your loved ones. Enjoy the process of creating these charming gifts, and anticipate the smiles they’ll bring!
Explore More Delightful Mason Jar Gifts
If you loved creating this snickerdoodle cookie mix in a jar, you’ll be thrilled to discover other fantastic edible gift ideas that can be beautifully presented in mason jars. These projects are equally simple to assemble and make for truly unique and appreciated presents:
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