Here are a few I am doing. The cheese one is good.
Buttermilk Pancake Mix gift in a jar recipe
Makes 10 cups of mix
2 cups buttermilk powder
8 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
8 tsp baking powder
4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
Sift the ingredients together well. Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
To make the mix:
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup water, or more as needed.
1 1/2 cups buttermilk pancake mix (see above)
Mix ingredients until blended. Let it stand five minutes.
Makes 10 pancakes.
Notes: Use the mix within 6 months of when you make it. If you can't find buttermilk powder in your local grocery store, try a bulk food store.
Hot Chocolate Jar Mix Recipe
Ingredients:
1½ cups skim milk powder
1½ cups white sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
¾ cup non-dairy creamer
To Make this Jar Gift:
Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir well. For a finer mix, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix well.
Store in an air tight container.
Directions:
Place 2 or 3 tablespoons in a mug and add boiling water.
If desired, print the hot chocolate directions label shown at right. Attach the label to the jar with white glue, or tie on around the lid with ribbon and a couple of short cinnamon sticks.
Decorate the jar lid with a circle of fabric or lace, tied on with ribbon or raffia.
Variations:
For Mocha Hot Chocolate, place 2 or 3 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix in a mug and fill with hot coffee.
After processing all other ingredients in the blender or food processor, empty mix into a bowl and stir in 1 cup of mini marshmallows.
Replace the plain non-dairy creamer with a flavored creamer such as French Vanilla or Hazelnut.
For spiced hot chocolate, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to mix, or ½ teaspoon nutmeg and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
For raspberry hot chocolate, add one package of raspberry koolaid to the mix and increase the sugar to 2 cups.
Instant Cheese Soup
Ingredients:
2 cups instant coffee creamer (we used Carnation Lite)
½ cup imitation bacon bits
½ cup powdered cheese sauce mix
1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
1 tbsp chicken boullion granules
1 tsp dried minced onion
½ tsp pepper
2 cups (approximately) of instant potato flakes (we use Idahoan brand)
Assembly:
Layer ingredients in the order given in a one quart (four cup) glass jar. Use a spoon to pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient. Pack instant potato flakes tightly, right to the top of the jar. Secure with a screw top lid. Decorate the jar lid as desired. Print the label shown above, or write your own label, then glue the label to the jar or tie it to the jar lid with pretty ribbon or raffia.
To Serve:
Empty Cheese Soup Mix into a soup tureen or serving bowl. Stir in 5 cups of boiling water. If soup is too thick, add another ½ cup of boiling water. Allow to stand for five minutes and stir well. Garnish with grated cheese.
Variations:
Broccoli Cheese Soup - Add one cup of warm, cooked, finely chopped broccoli to the soup, right after adding the boiling water. Let stand for five minutes. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese.
Cauliflower Cheese Soup - Cook one cup of small cauliflower florets until tender. Add to soup, right after adding the boiling water. Garnish with grated cheese and chives. Let stand for five minutes.
Ham and Cheese Soup - Heat one cup of diced ham in the microwave until warm. Add to soup directly after adding the boiling water and let stand for five minutes.
Carrot and Cheese Soup - Add one cup of warm, cooked, very finely chopped carrot to the soup, directly after adding boiling water. Let stand for five minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped chives.
