Contents

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies in a Jar: The Ultimate Festive Gift

The holiday season is a time for warmth, joy, and sharing thoughtful gifts with loved ones. There’s something truly special about a homemade present, crafted with care and a personal touch. Forget the stress of crowded malls and generic gifts; this year, embrace the charm and simplicity of a delicious Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies in a Jar recipe. It’s not just a gift; it’s an experience, a delightful promise of warm, freshly baked cookies that recipients can enjoy at their leisure.

Each year, the tradition of crafting a new “cookies in a jar” recipe to share with neighbors, friends, and family has become a cherished part of our holiday preparations. These jars are more than just pretty packages; they embody the spirit of giving, offering an easy, affordable, and incredibly fun way to spread cheer. Everyone loves them, and it’s easy to see why!

Why Cookies in a Jar Make the Perfect Holiday Gift

In a world increasingly filled with mass-produced items, a homemade gift stands out. It shows you’ve invested time, thought, and effort into making something truly unique. Cookies in a jar recipes, in particular, offer a myriad of benefits that make them an ideal choice for holiday gifting:

Thoughtful & Personal: Unlike store-bought treats, a cookie mix in a jar speaks volumes. It’s a gesture of care, offering not just a gift, but a delightful baking experience.
Convenience for Both Giver and Receiver: As the giver, you prepare the dry ingredients in advance, simplifying your holiday to-do list. For the recipient, the convenience is unparalleled – no need to gather multiple ingredients; everything is pre-measured and ready for baking at their convenience.
Affordable Elegance: Crafting these beautiful jars is surprisingly budget-friendly. By buying ingredients in bulk, you can create numerous gifts without breaking the bank, all while presenting them in a charming, elegant way.
Engaging Activity: The gift isn’t just the cookies; it’s the joy of baking. It provides a fun activity for families, a relaxing moment for individuals, and a wonderful aroma that fills the home.
Visually Appealing: Layered ingredients create a stunning visual display, making the jar itself a decorative piece before the cookies are even baked. Add a beautiful ribbon and a personalized tag, and you have a gift that looks as good as it tastes.

Last year, our Jolly Jars were a huge hit, bringing smiles to many faces. This year, we’re elevating the holiday cheer with jars filled with the makings of the most delightful Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies!

Introducing the Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie: A Taste of Holiday Magic

Imagine the comforting embrace of hot cocoa, infused with the invigorating coolness of peppermint, and topped with fluffy marshmallows. That’s precisely the experience these incredible cookies deliver. Each bite transports you to a cozy winter evening, reminiscent of sipping a warm beverage stirred with a candy cane.

These cookies boast a perfect texture: thin and wonderfully crisp around the edges, yielding to a perfectly soft and chewy center. The harmonious blend of rich cocoa, refreshing peppermint chips, and sweet marshmallow bits creates a flavor profile that is undeniably festive and utterly irresistible. They are so delicious, you’ll definitely want to bake a few batches for your own Holiday celebrations as well!

Assembling Your Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Jars: A Simple Guide

Creating these beautiful cookie jars is an art in itself, a simple yet satisfying process that results in a truly charming gift. The key is careful layering, which not only ensures a visually stunning presentation but also keeps the ingredients separate until ready for mixing. Here’s how you can easily assemble these festive gifts:

Gather Your Ingredients: Ensure all your dry ingredients are ready and measured according to the recipe. Accuracy in measurement is crucial for the final cookie’s success.
Select Your Jars: Choose clean, dry, 1-quart (32-ounce) glass canning jars with tight-fitting lids. The clear glass beautifully showcases the layers.
Layer with Care: Begin by carefully spooning each ingredient into the jar in the order listed in the recipe. After each addition, gently tap the jar on your counter or use the back of a spoon or a fork to level the layer. This compacts the ingredients, prevents them from mixing, and creates distinct, appealing stripes.
Decorate and Personalize: Once all ingredients are layered, wrap the inside of the lid with a festive ribbon before sealing the jar. Tie a beautiful bow of coordinating decorative ribbon just under the lid. This adds a touch of elegance and holiday cheer.
Attach Instructions: This is a crucial step! Write or print clear baking instructions on attractive holiday gift tags. Punch a hole in the tag, thread a skinny string or ribbon through it, and tie it securely to the ribbon on the jar. This ensures your recipient knows exactly how to bring these delicious cookies to life.

It’s that simple! In just a few minutes per jar, you can create a sweet, heartfelt gift that will be remembered and appreciated.

The Joy of Baking: From Jar to Delicious Reality

The true magic of the “cookies in a jar” gift unfolds when your loved ones are ready to bake. The instructions are incredibly straightforward, making the process enjoyable for even novice bakers. All they have to do is combine the contents of the jar with just a few simple wet ingredients: a stick of softened butter, an egg, and a dash of vanilla extract. The beauty is in its simplicity and the minimal effort required.

After a quick mix, the dough is ready to be dropped by rounded spoonfuls onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. In a mere 10-12 minutes, the kitchen will be filled with an intoxicating aroma of chocolate and peppermint. The cookies will emerge from the oven, perfectly baked with those desired crisp edges and a soft, slightly cracked center, ready to be devoured. It’s an instant gratification that brings warmth and comfort during the chilly holiday season.

Serve these delectable cookies warm, perhaps alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa or a festive coffee. They’re perfect for cozy evenings by the fireplace, as a sweet treat for unexpected guests, or simply as a well-deserved indulgence. This treat is truly festive, fabulous, and fantastic for gifting!

Beyond Gifting: Enjoying Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies Yourself

While these cookie jars make exceptional gifts, don’t forget to treat yourself! Whipping up a batch of these Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies for your own household is a wonderful way to infuse your home with holiday spirit. The aroma alone is enough to bring joy, and the taste is pure bliss. Consider baking a double batch – one for immediate enjoyment and another for sharing at holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges.

These cookies also make a stunning addition to any holiday dessert platter. Their unique flavor and delightful texture are sure to impress. Store any leftover baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days, though they rarely last that long! You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to a month, ensuring you have a festive treat ready whenever a craving strikes.

The holiday season is all about creating beautiful memories and spreading kindness. With these Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies in a Jar, you’re not just giving a gift; you’re sharing a delightful baking experience and the promise of warm, comforting treats. It’s a simple gesture that delivers immense joy and a true taste of holiday magic.

Enjoy the process of making and giving, and savor every moment of this wonderful time of year!

xoxo,

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies in a Jar

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
No reviews

Author: The BakerMama
Total Time: 5-10 minutes per jar
Yield: 1 jar (makes 2 dozen cookies)

Print Recipe

Ingredients for One Jar

To assemble one Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie in a Jar, you will need:

1 glass canning jar with a lid (1 quart/32 ounces)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 (1.25 ounce) packets hot cocoa mix
1/2 cup marshmallow bits (mini dehydrated marshmallows)
1/2 cup peppermint chips or crushed candy canes
Festive ribbon (for decoration)
Holiday gift tags
Hole punch
Skinny string or twine

Instructions for Jar Assembly & Baking

Directions for Assembling the Cookie Jar:

1. Carefully layer each dry ingredient into the 1-quart canning jar in the exact order listed above. After adding each ingredient, gently tap the jar on the counter or use a fork to level and compress each layer. This helps create distinct, beautiful stripes and prevents ingredients from mixing prematurely.

2. Once all ingredients are layered, wrap a piece of decorative ribbon around the inside rim of the lid before sealing the jar. Secure the lid tightly. Then, tie a festive bow with additional decorative ribbon just under the lid, around the neck of the jar, for a charming presentation.

3. Prepare your holiday gift tags. On each tag, clearly write or print the following baking instructions for the recipient:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

For festive Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream together 1 stick (1/2 cup) of softened unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 large egg until well combined. Gradually add the entire contents of this jar to the wet ingredients and stir or mix on low speed until a cohesive dough forms and all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto parchment-lined cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake until the cookies are crisp around the edges and just beginning to crack slightly in the middle, approximately 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This recipe makes about 2 dozen delicious cookies.

4. Using a hole punch, create a hole in the top corner of each gift tag. Thread a piece of skinny string or decorative ribbon through the hole and tie the tag securely to the ribbon on the jar. Your beautiful and delicious gift is now ready to spread holiday cheer!