The holidays can be a busy time, not giving people a lot of opportunities to bake.  These holiday jars are easy to make and are good ideas for gifts.

Hot cocoa Jar (Yields about 6 servings)

Difficulty: Easy

3 cups instant nonfat dry milk

¾ cup granulated sugar

½ cup plus 1 tbsp baking cocoa

Mini marshmallows

Crushed candy canes (Optional)

Chocolate chips (Optional)

Assembly

1. Combine dry milk, cocoa, and sugar in a large bowl
2. Pour into 1-quart size mason jar
3. Add candy cane, chocolate chips, and marshmallows on top in layers

Directions

1.       Measure ½ cup of hot cocoa mix into mug
2.       Stir in 1 cup hot water or milk

Adapted from verybestbaking.com

S’mores

Difficulty: Very Easy

1-quart size mason jar

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

½ stick of melted butter

1 ½ cups mini marshmallows

1 giant milk chocolate bar or chocolate chips

Assembly

1.       Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter until well incorporated. Add half to the jar.
2.       Chop chocolate into small pieces and add half to the jar.
3.       Add half of the marshmallows to the jar.
4.       Add the rest of the graham cracker mixture, then the rest of the chocolate, then the rest of the marshmallows.

Directions

1.       Preheat oven to 350°F
2.       Place jar in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the chocolate is melted

Adapted from howdoesshe.com

Chocolate Chip cookie (yields about 2 dozen cookies)

Difficulty: Moderate

1-quart size mason jar

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

¾ tsp baking soda

¾ tsp salt

½ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup packed brown sugar

1 ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Assembly

1.       Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Place in the mason jar.
2.       Add brown sugar to the mason jar.
3.       Add granulated sugar.
4.       Add chocolate chips.

Note: To get the layered effect, Use the back of a spoon to down each layer.

Directions

¾ cups (1 ½ sticks) softened butter or margarine

1 large egg

¾ tsp vanilla extract

1.       Preheat the oven to 375°F
2.       Beat butter or margarine, egg, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
3.       Add cookie mix.
4.       Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased baking sheet.
5.       Bake 9-11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes.

Adapted from thehappierhomemaker.com