Cookie Mix in a Jar Recipe

Cookie Mix in a Jar makes a wonderfully simple holiday gift that brings instant cheer to neighbors, teachers, and anyone who loves cookies. Layer the dry ingredients, add a cute tag, and you’ve got a handmade present that’s thoughtful and doesn’t eat up your whole day. And it’s exactly the kind of kitchen fun kids get excited for!

An image of two jars of cookie mix with holiday M&M's.

Cookie Mix in a Jar has been around for ages, mostly because it turns simple pantry staples into something giftable and genuinely fun to assemble. That little stack of flour, brown sugar, chocolate chips, and holiday M&Ms always feels like a tiny time capsule of baking joy waiting to happen!

What I love most about this version is how effortless it is to pull together while still looking like you put real heart into it. The layers stay neat, the instructions are simple, and the end result is a cheerful cookie mix that gets a smile every single time.

For more festive cookie inspiration and easy-from-scratch treats, check out my Spritz Cookies, Peppermint Oreo Cookies, Pinwheel Cookies, Toffee Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Why We Love This Recipe

It’s easy to customize with different mix-ins, so every jar can be personalized.
It uses fresh, simple pantry staples instead of box mixes, which means real homemade cookies without the effort.
It’s quick and easy, but still cute enough to look like you spent time on it.

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Vanilla Extract – Rounds out the flavors and gives the cookies a warm, bakery-style aroma.
All-Purpose Flour – The structure of the cookies, giving a soft and tender texture. You can swap in whole wheat flour, but the cookies will turn out a bit heartier.
Baking Soda – Helps the cookies spread properly as they bake.
Salt – Balances the sweetness in the sugars and brightens the chocolate flavors.
Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create those lightly crisp edges.
Light Brown Sugar – Brings moisture and a warm caramel note. Dark brown sugar works as a direct swap.
Semisweet Chocolate Chips – For melty pockets of chocolate throughout each cookie. Milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips both work too.
Red and Green Holiday M&Ms – Adds festive color and crunch to the cookie mix. Any variety of M&Ms can be used in the same amount.
Softened Butter – Adds richness to the baked cookies. Unsalted butter gives you the most control over the saltiness.
Egg – Binds the dough and adds moisture.

Ingredients for making cookie mix in a jar.

Prep jar. Start with a clean, dry mason jar so each layer of flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, chocolate chips, and M&Ms stays crisp and defined.
Mix flour. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to a mixing bowl and stir until everything is evenly combined.

Layer ingredients. Pour the flour mixture into the jar first, then add the granulated sugar, followed by the brown sugar. Add the chocolate chips and finish with the M&Ms on top.

A layer of brown sugar and white sugar on top of a layer of brown sugar in a glass jar.

Layering ingredients for chocolate chip cookies in a jar.

Seal jar. Close the lid tightly and add a tag with simple baking instructions. Here is a link for the printable gift tag with instructions!

Printed gift tags with instructions for making cookies from a jar.

Baking the Cookies

Heat oven. Preheat to 350°F when you’re ready to bake the cookies.
Cream butter. Combine softened butter, the egg, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
Add mix. Pour in all the jar ingredients and stir until a soft cookie dough forms.
Scoop dough. Drop rounded spoonfuls onto a baking sheet, leaving a little room for spreading.
Bake cookies. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden. Let them cool before enjoying.

A glass jar filled with ingredients for making Christmas M&M cookies.

Jars of cookie mix next to a plate of cookies and red & green M&Ms.

Recipe FAQ’s

What size jar works best for this recipe?

A wide-mouth quart jar fits all the ingredients perfectly and makes layering so much easier.

How long will this cookie mix stay good in the jar?

If everything is fresh and the jar stays sealed in a cool, dry spot, it holds up beautifully for about six months.

Does this cookie mix need any special storage?

No special treatment at all. Just keep the jar sealed and somewhere dry and it’ll stay in great shape.

Can I freeze the cookie dough after mixing it?

Absolutely. Once you’ve mixed in the butter, egg, and vanilla, just scoop the dough and freeze it. You can bake the frozen dough straight from the freezer whenever you need warm cookies fast.

How should I store baked cookies?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or freeze them if you want them to last longer.

Can I make the jar mix ahead for holiday gifts?

Yes, it’s perfect for that. Once the jar is layered and sealed, it’s ready to gift and easy for anyone to bake whenever the craving hits.

Tips for Success

Choose a wide-mouth jar if you can because it makes filling, packing, and decorating much easier.
Fluff the flour before measuring so the layers stay light and don’t pack down too heavily in the jar.
Use a funnel or a homemade paper cone to get the ingredients into the mason jar without coating your counter in flour.
Wipe the inside rim clean before sealing the jar so you get a tight closure, then brush off any flour or sugar on the outside to keep the finished gift looking polished.
Add a clear tag with simple baking instructions so the lucky recipient can bake the cookies without hunting down extra details. Here is a link for the printable gift tag with instructions.

How to Keep Those Layers Looking Perfect

One of the best ways to keep those pretty layers from shifting is to add each ingredient slowly, especially the flour mixture.

Pour it in a little at a time and lightly tap the jar after each addition so it settles evenly.

It keeps the flour from creating air pockets, helps the sugars sit level, and gives you that crisp, clean stripe effect that makes these jars look so polished.

This tiny bit of extra care pays off every single time, especially if you’re gifting the mix and want it looking picture-perfect.

Substitutions and Variations

Turn this into a double chocolate cookie mix by swapping ¼ cup of the flour for cocoa powder, which gives the cookies a rich, darker flavor and a fudgier texture.
For a peppermint twist, mix crushed candy canes into the chocolate chip layer or replace the M&Ms with peppermint baking pieces so the cookies bake up with a cool, minty crunch.
Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or pistachios to the jar to give the cookies a nutty flavor and a little extra texture.
Create a peanut butter version by using peanut butter chips, Reese’s Pieces, and adding a handful of chopped mini peanut butter cups for an over-the-top treat.
For a cranberry white chocolate holiday mix, swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and add dried cranberries to bring in a fruity, festive flavor.