Short on gift ideas? Try brownies in a jar
Tuesday, December 7, 2004 7:47 AM PST
By Melisse Laing
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E-mail this articleIf you're a regular reader of my columns, you know that I usually "mass produce" holidays gifts for my family and friends.
There are several reasons I plan my projects this way. First, I only have to come up with one good idea. Second, it's easier to make multiple copies of one project than to think of unique projects for each recipient. Third, nobody's nose gets out-of-joint because they got a "better" gift that someone else.
Past holiday gifts have included pillowcases, place mat and napkin sets, ornaments, grapevine wreaths, potholders and the infamous knit dishcloths.
This year I'm giving "jam bags." Last summer when our berries were at the height of production, I made jam --- not the freezer kind, but the old-fashioned kind you seal in jars. I also found a wonderful fabric with all kinds of berries from which I made cloth bags. Into each go two jars of jam and a package of scone mix. Viola! Tie with the selvage from the fabric and the gifts are complete.
I've found that food gifts are usually welcome, especially for people who really have everything they need. My sister-in-law once said that the best gifts are the things we can eat or drink. I got this yummy sounding idea from the Ball Canning Company.
WHITE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE MIX
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2/3 cup cocoa
Layering Dry Mix: Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Place mixture into quart jar. Layer remaining ingredients into jar in order listed, packing firmly after each addition. Tip: Use a tart tamper or the bulb end of a baster to pack layers. Adjust cap. Makes one quart jar.
Be sure to attach a recipe card to the outside of the jar with the following instructions:
To Prepare Brownies, Add:
3/4 cup butter, softened
4 eggs, slightly beaten
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place contents of jar in a large mixing bowl and combine. Add butter and eggs. Mix until completely blended. Spread into light greased 9-by 9-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until brownies just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cut into squares.
Makes about 16 brownies.
If you use a lid and ring for the cap, cover the lid with a round of fabric cut with pinking shears before screwing down the lid. Decorate the ring with raffia or ribbon and a gift tags.
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