Cake Mix in a Jar

I was first introduced to Cake Mixes In A Jar a few years ago at a class teaching different Christmas present ideas. I've 'taught' other people how to make them a few times since then, including at a "Christmas in October" Night offered at my church last week. I found the recipe that I used this time on www.recipegoldmine.com . They have a lot of different "Gift in a Jar" recipes. The one I chose was Chocolate Chunk Coffeecake. I made it ahead of time and it tasted great! These mixes in a jar are pretty straightforward, but here is the recipe with some pictures to clarify:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts

1. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in mixing bowl.

2. Transfer mixture to 1-quart wide-mouth jar. Cover your hand with a paper towel and press the flour down into the jar to pack it tightly.

If you are using a regular-mouth jar you will need to do this with a paper towel and spoon.

When all the flour mix is packed in tightly, use the paper towel to wipe off any powdery dust from the rest of the inside of the jar.

3. Pack in the brown sugar. The goal is not so much to get straight lines as to get crisp lines. You don't want the ingredients to bleed into each other.

Add the chocolate chips and nuts. Screw the lid on tightly.

Decorate the jar with a piece of ribbon (or raffia) and 8”x8" piece of your favorite fabric.

Yes. That's Elvis peeking out of some of my favorite Christmas fabric. If you want more of your chocolate chips to show you can trim the fabric down to 7"x 7".

Attach the following instructions on a gift tag (hole punched and threaded through the ribbon):

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Chocolate Chip Coffeecake
Makes 12 to 16 servings

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 jar Chocolate Chunk Coffeecake Mix
1 cup sour cream

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
2. Beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until blended (mixture will be lumpy). Add jar mix and sour cream to butter mixture. Stir until well blended.
3. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

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Easy and fun present to give any time of the year!