I have been having the best time making practical mason jar mixes.
It started with a simple YouTube search during the Christmas season. One thing led to another, and now I have a little lineup of jars on my counter filled with homemade goodness. These mixes save money, make cooking easier, and they look pretty in the pantry. More than that, they give me something creative to do in this stage of life.
With my husband retiring in about six months, and me already retired, I am paying closer attention to how we spend. It is not that I doubt we will be okay financially. I just want to save where we can so we have more room to enjoy the things we love. Part of that for me is learning to make more things at home. I plan on trying my hand at homemade chapstick and my own laundry detergent. I already have a few natural cleaning solutions that work really well, so this feels like the next step. It is a simple way to be wise and still enjoy this season of life.
Today I’m sharing three of my favorite mixes. These are all simple, affordable, and great for gift giving.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Mix
(Pint Size Mason Jar)
This mix goes into a pint jar and bakes into soft cookies with a little sweetness from the white chocolate and the tart cranberries.
Layer into a pint jar:
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 quarter teaspoon baking soda
• 1 eighth teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 6 tablespoons white chocolate chips
• 5 tablespoons dried cranberries
To bake the cookies:
Pour mix into a bowl and add:
• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
Bake at 350 for about 10 to 12 minutes.
Powdered Vanilla Coffee Creamer
(Homemade and Simple)
Store bought powdered creamers are full of things I cannot even pronounce. This version is creamy, lightly sweetened, and lasts a long time in the pantry.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup dry milk powder
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons vanilla bean powder
• 1 half cup powdered coffee creamer or coconut milk powder, optional for extra creaminess
Instructions:
Stir everything together until smooth. Store in a jar. Use one to two teaspoons per cup of coffee.
Cream of Everything Soup Mix
(Quart Size Mason Jar)
This mix replaces the canned cream soups that so many recipes use. I make it in a quart jar because I use it often.
Ingredients:
• 2 cups dry milk powder
• 3 quarter cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 half teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
Stir the ingredients together and store in a quart jar.
To use:
Mix 1 third cup of the dry mix with 1 cup water or broth. Heat until thick.
My Littler Nimbot B1 Label Maker
I have been using this little Nimbot label maker and I am loving it. It is small, fast, and perfect for all the mason jar mixes and pantry projects I have been doing lately. It connects right to your phone through Bluetooth, and it comes with three different label sizes. If you like things neat and tidy, this is a handy tool to have around.
Here is my Amazon affiliate link. If you shop through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate it.
These jars have given me so much joy lately. It is a simple way to stay creative, save money, and keep busy in retirement. If you try any of these mixes, or if you have favorites of your own, I would love to hear from you.
Have a wonderful day and God bless you.