Gifts in a Jar

A home-made gift is always a great idea! It can also be a way to economize in your gift giving. I think these food gifts will be more popular than ever this year.

Just in case some of you have never heard of these, you take a jar - canning jars work best - and layer dry ingredients in them. Put the lid on and if you like cover with a square or round of pretty fabric or tissue paper and tie with raffia, ribbon or even a rubber band. Include the card for the "wet" ingredients to be added. These make a great gift. All the recipient has to do is dump it out and add the extra ingredients and they have a full batch of a dessert or a meal. And they look great sitting on the counter in the meantime! A gift sure to be appreciated.

EASY BUTTERSCOTCH-OATMEAL COOKIES

1/2 cup butterscotch chips

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1 cup buttermilk biscuit and baking mix

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup buttermilk biscuit and baking mix

Instructions for layering ingredients: In 1-quart wide-mouth glass jar, gently layer and pack ingredients in the order listed. (There will be 2 cups of biscuit mix total.) If there is any space left after adding the last ingredient, add more baking chips, dried fruits or nuts to fill the jar. Place lid on top. Cut an 8-inch circle of fabric to cover lid. Place fabric over lid; secure in place with a rubber band, then ribbon or raffia. Decorate as desired.

Note: When measuring brown sugar, crumble it between your fingers for uniform texture. Be sure to pack the brown sugar firmly in the jar to prevent the baking mix from sifting down through it.

Make a gift card to attach as follows: Empty contents of jar into medium bowl. Stir in 1 stick of butter or margarine, melted; 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well combined. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are light golden brown. Makes 2-1/2 dozen cookies

To make cookies as bars: Empty contents of jar into medium bowl. Stir in 1 stick of butter or margarine, melted; 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well combined. Press into an 8×8-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 24 minutes or until bars are light golden brown and center is almost set Makes 16 bar cookies.