I love baking all year round, but I'm especially a fan of holiday baking. I love the colors, the flavors, the smells...all of it. The one thing I don't love about it is how it sticks to my hips and follows me into the new year! I figure I'm not the only one that feels this way and rather than having piles of baked goodies that just must get eaten before they go bad (I mean, you don't want to let them go to waste!), I thought I would give some sweets that can be tucked in the pantry to be saved for February (you know, after everyone has stopped going to the gym and fallen back into old habits :)).
I adapted this recipe from Bakerella's Cowgirl Cookies. The only difference in my recipe is that I used slightly different measurements (I tried to use the same on my first batch and could not for the life of me get it all to fit in my quart jar), holiday M&Ms and instead of using chopped pecans as my filler, I used Heath Bits-o-Brickle (I'm not a big fan of nuts in my cookies and besides that, chopped pecans are dang expensive!).
So, here’s the recipe:
Abominable Snowman Cookies
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
1/2 cup m&ms
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
Heath bits-o-brickle (basically just enough to fill it to the top)
Start with a 1 quart Ball jar. I found mine at Walmart - made by Better Homes & Gardens. It was only $8 for a box of a dozen.
First: flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt
Second: oats
Third: m&ms
Fourth: chocolate chips
Fifth: brown sugar
Sixth: white sugar
Seventh: Heath bits
Pack each level down really tightly. I mean it. Pack it in. Or else it won’t all fit. I used the bottom of a spoon as well as the base of a spice jar to help smoosh it down. Also, I added the Heath bits last, because if the ingredients were too much or not enough, then I could add more or less Heath bits to adjust. The ingredients should be flush to the top of the lid when you seal it up. I will also say that I purchased the canning funnel made specifically to fit the mouth of a ball jar - and at $1.75 it was absolutely worth it. Made the process a whole lot easier.
For the labels, you’ll need some adhesive paper (I use 8.5x11 sheets of shipping labels purchased from Staples or any office supply store) and paper punches (2 1/2" circle and 1 7/8" scalloped). You could also use regular paper or card stock and double-sided tape.
You can find the print-ready PDF labels and instructions here and here.
The last few details involved ribbon and material. I just purchased some inexpensive tiny polka dot material from the quilting section of my local Joann's (I believe it was $4.99/yd and I purchased just a 1/2yd which was more than enough for 12 jars). I traced the mouth of my cereal bowls to get the right size (ended up around 6 1/4" diameter) and cut them out with pinking sheers. I purchased the 1/2" ribbon at Joann's as well ($2.99 for 9ft although it was a steal at 60% off!). I needed 2 rolls for 12 jars and I used my hot glue gun to adhere the ribbon to the jar (placing the cut edge underneath the label).
All costs included (ingredients, jars, canning funnel, material and ribbon - I already had the label paper), each jar ended up costing right around $4.50! What a fun, creative and inexpensive way to love on your neighbors, co-workers, family and friends this Christmas! Enjoy!
