Cookie Gift Mix

Cookie cutters make a thoughtful gift for just about any occasion—with so many shapes to choose from, you can tailor the gift to the recipient’s interests and hobbies, or to the gift-giving occasion. It’s fun to put together a small selection of cutters that have a theme and it’s an inexpensive way to give something special to anyone who likes to bake. Sometimes, though, you want to give a little more. Why not make a cookie mix to go with the cookie cutters? There are lots of cookie gift mix recipes for drop cookies, but I wanted to see if the method would work with a recipe for rolled cookies, and I’m happy to report that it can. I found that it’s important to use a stand mixer, though; it’s difficult (though not impossible) to mix the stiff dough thoroughly enough by hand so that it comes together and does not crumble when you try to roll it out.

When choosing a recipe, keep in mind that it’s nice to use ingredients that look appealing layered in a glass jar. Our recipe for Cowboy Cookies is a perfect candidate, because it uses a variety of ingredients with different shades and textures, which fit perfectly into a 1-quart canning jar or pantry storage jar. All that needs to be added is butter, an egg, and vanilla. To make it easier to blend all the dry ingredients at once, the butter is melted and mixed with the egg and vanilla first (rather than being creamed with the sugar). Then the cookie mix is added—nuts, chocolate chips and all.

You can either use a wide funnel or a large spoon to add the ingredients to the jar. After adding each ingredient, carefully shake the jar or spread the ingredient with a spoon to make the layer even and flat; each ingredient should be pushed all the way to the sides and not mounded in the center.  Here’s how to make Cowboy

Cookie mix:

1.    In a small bowl, whisk together:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2.    Process in a food processor until fine:

1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

3.    Remove the oats, then process until finely chopped:

1/2 cup walnuts, almonds, or pecans

4.    Layer into a 1-quart jar, in order:

Flour mixture

Ground oats

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

Chopped nuts

Attach these directions to the mix:

And as long as you’re making jars of cookie mix to give as gifts, why not make a batch for yourself? The next time the mood strikes for some homemade cookies, you can have them ready in a jiffy.

Ann

Ann Clark, Ltd.