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12/03/2011

Giftable Layered Cocoa Jars

I recently presented this cute and simple cocoa recipe over at Imprintalish as part of her Kickoff to Christmas Sweets Day!  In case you missed it, I’ll give you the how-to – it’s so easy!



If you’re anything like me, there are a lot of people you’d like to thank at Christmastime.  Edibles are always a big hit, and handmade gifts show that you put thought and effort in for that person.  This year, I have worked hard to include handmade touches to my gifts, and people have been very appreciative.


Fortunately – people don’t have to know how crazy easy this gift is!  You can whip one of these up in ten minutes or less if you have your supplies on-hand.


Recipe for an 8 oz jar:

  • 1/4 c. powdered dry nonfat milk
  • 1/4 c. powdered coffee creamer
  • 1/4 c. granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. baking cocoa
  • chocolate chips (mini chips work best, but use what you have)
  • marshmallows

I didn’t measure how much I used in marshmallows and chocolate chips – just a small handful of each to make it look nice.  The recipe itself is fabulous without them, they just make for nice presentation!


Keep all your ingredients separate, and I will give you some tips below when it comes to layering them!


Hobby Lobby runs half off specials of their glassware regularly, so that is where I got this hermetic jar from.  I just love the glass top and metal latch.  But any 8 oz. jar will work.  Check your dollar store, or use Ball jars!  Please forgive the prep pictures – there’s rarely much daylight left when I finally have time to work. :)



First of all, I stir my cocoa and coffee creamer together.  Because it’s cocoa, I want more chocolatey-looking ingredients to show.  By mixing the two, you will have fuller cocoa layers.  


Now, in a clean jar, put all your sugar in.  It doesn’t have to be exactly level, but you do want to make sure it’s a visible layer all the way around the jar, so go ahead and shake it a little to settle it.


Next I add about half of the cocoa/creamer blend, and tap the jar so it’s more or less level.  Then I pour in about half of the dry milk.

When it comes time to add the chips next, I arrange them around the outside of the jar.  You don’t need to use much for the recipe, but the point is that you want to see them from the outside of the jar:


Then, I add the remainder or the dry milk.  At this point, you want to tap the jar fairly well so that it packs down as much as it can, because the dry milk is grainy.  You’ll be adding the remaining cocoa on top of that, and you want it to hold up the cocoa layer as best it can.


Add the last of your cocoa mix, and pack in a bunch of marshmallows.  The marshmallows keep the ingredients in place, so go ahead and squeeze in as many as you need to fill the jar completely.



Close off your jar and add a festive touch.  I go for the minimalist approach with snowflake stickers from my scrapbooking stash and a bow. But depending on what sort of jar you use, the possibilities are really endless!


You should include a note for mixing instructions: This recipe for one jar makes two mugs of cocoa.  Just add the contents to 16 oz. of hot water.  Share and enjoy!



Perfectly giftable by itself, or as an addition to a Christmas cookie sampler!  Yum!


~ Adrianne

Filed Under: Christmas, Recipes, Tutorials

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I love it when you love my work! All tutorials and photos published at Happy Hour Projects are copyrighted. If you would like to feature my tutorial on your website or share it on your social media you may use one photo to feature, as long as you provide a link back to the original post.

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I hope you enjoy what you read here, and please be fair when you share!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helena Sturgis says

    01/10/2021 at 2:34 am

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    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    12/19/2011 at 4:03 am

    I love gifts-in-a-jar. I actually pinned yours last week and made my own with crushed candy canes. Thanks for linking to Fabulous Friday.

    Reply
  3. Natasha says

    12/10/2011 at 10:39 pm

    would love it if you could share this on my link party Serenity Saturday at http://www.serenityyou.blogspot.com

    Natasha xx

    Reply
  4. Kelsey says

    12/11/2011 at 3:28 am

    Yum!! Great idea! I would love it if you would share with my readers! I am running a 25 Days of Handmade Christmas series. For info: http://embracingmessy.blogspot.com/2011/12/25-days-of-homemade-christmas-day-1.html or just email at embracingmessy@gmail.com if you're interested!

    Reply
  5. sue says

    12/10/2011 at 8:17 pm

    Super cute, I would never have thought to stuff the marshmallows in there to hold everything in place.

    Reply
  6. Jenna says

    12/08/2011 at 9:50 pm

    Such a great idea, I know I would love getting this as a gift.

    I hope you will stop by my blog next week I am hosting a Holiday Treats week with linky all week long.

    Reply
  7. Rachel says

    12/08/2011 at 8:08 pm

    It looks so yummy! And super easy too. Thanks for sharing, I just pinned it.
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. Jessie K says

    12/08/2011 at 3:13 pm

    I love ingredients in a jar! Makes it more special. Thanks for sharing!

    Here from A Glimpse Inside.

    Reply
  9. Tenille says

    12/08/2011 at 5:14 am

    I am always looking for new neighbor gift ideas. Thanks for sharing this. It looks amazing. I would love it if you could link this up to our linky party going on right now.

    http://junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com/2011/12/link-it-up-wednesday-6.html

    Reply
  10. marissa says

    12/07/2011 at 11:25 pm

    what a fun gift I've love you to add it to my what we wore and made party over at http://raegunwear.blogspot.com

    Reply
  11. Kelley says

    12/07/2011 at 11:34 am

    Hi! Visiting from the Inspired Collection :) This looks easy and would make such a great gift! Thanks for sharing!

    http://www.thegrantlife.com

    Reply
  12. Jenny says

    12/07/2011 at 4:11 am

    Oh yummy yummy yummy! I'd love to get one of these as a gift! Did you link up with Creative Me Monday yet?

    http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/2011/12/creative-me-monday.html?utm_source=BP_recent

    Hope to see you there!

    Reply
  13. Deana says

    12/07/2011 at 3:09 am

    Very cute….

    Reply
  14. Terry says

    12/03/2011 at 11:01 pm

    Love the presentation – especially that snowflake on top. Nice idea.

    Reply
  15. E says

    12/03/2011 at 5:24 pm

    Love it! I agree with Katie – perfect for teachers, neighbors, etc.!

    Reply
  16. Katie says

    12/03/2011 at 4:00 pm

    I love this idea! Perfect for teachers or neighbors!!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

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  4. Guest Posting at Embracing Messy – Come Say Hello! says:
    09/23/2013 at 2:18 pm

    […] sharing the tutorial for my layered cocoa jars with her readers today.  It’s such a simple and cute giftable.  I would love it if you […]

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Hello, and welcome! I'm Adrianne, an artist, author, designer, and blogger in mid Michigan. I work from home, chase my two kids, and this once-city-girl is learning how to care for chickens and adjusting to life out in the country. I have a compulsion for daily creativity... sometimes it's jewelry-making, paper crafting, metal stamping, mixing and baking, or giving new life to recycled items. But with 2 young kids, time is short! My goal here at Happy Hour Projects is to share projects and tips that you can do in an hour or less. The ideas you find here are designed to add a little creativity in your day, no matter how much (or how little) time you have!

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