Homemade brownie mix in a mason jar is a fast, easy, and inexpensive gift. Plus the fudgy brownies are delicious!
Brownie mix in a jar is a great neighbor gift, teacher gift, or hostess gift. Mixes in mason jars are quick to make, especially when you do them assembly line style. I love gifts like this that are consumable and don’t create clutter.
Brownie mix in a jar is a gift that children can help make too! Your kids will love being able to give their teachers a useful, delicious gift that they made themselves!
I have a quick video below that will show you exactly how to make brownie mix in a jar along with tips to make your gift in a jar turn out beautiful. Or you can keep scrolling for the details along with a printable recipe (for you) and printable tags (for the recipient).
Tips for layering brownie mix in a canning jar
- This recipe is for a QUART mason jar.
- The funnel that I use for canning
works great to make sure everything gets into the jar without a mess.
- Adding the ingredients in the order listed works best. The chocolate chips need to be on the top, otherwise they will be buried and hidden. The cocoa gets on the side of the jar, so it’s a good candidate for going near the top.
- Shake each layer down so it’s flat before adding the next layer. For brown sugar, you’ll want to use a spoon.
- If you prefer brownies without nuts, leave them out and fill their space with more chocolate chips.
Homemade Fudgy Brownie Mix
- 1 cups + 2 Tablespoon flour
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2/3 cups sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions for Using Homemade Brownie Mix
Mix contents of jar with:
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cups water
- 2/3 cup oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Pour into a greased 9″ square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Cool and enjoy!
Click here to download the printable PDF of the tags/labels.
Printable Recipe and Instructions for Making Brownie Mix in a Jar
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons flour
- ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ cups cocoa
- ½ cups chocolate chips
- ½ cups chopped walnuts (optional)
- Add ingredients to a 1 quart canning jar (or quart-size zip-top plastic bag) in the order listed.
- Include the following instructions for using the mix:
- Mix contents of jar with: 2 eggs, ¼ c. water, ⅔ c. oil, 1 t. vanilla
- Pour into a greased 9″ square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Cool and enjoy!
Click here to see the rest of the series Frugal Festivities: 25 Days of Christmas Cheer on a Budget series
Originally published 30 May 2014 but updated to be included in the Frugal Festivities series.
Next in the series:
Day 19: 4 Reasons to Stay Home for Christmas
Thank you for sharing this delightful Fudgy Brownie Mix in a Jar recipe. Your detailed instructions, along with the thoughtful tips, make it a perfect homemade gift idea. I appreciate the simplicity and creativity behind this, enhancing the joy of both giving and receiving. Looking forward to trying it out during my next baking session. I also like the Cinnamon Rolls recipe – https://www.sixfiguresunder.com/christmas-morning-traditions/traffic jam 3d
Hey there, is there a reason you layer the ingredients, other than making it look pretty? If I’m mixing up several jars to keep on my shelves, do I need to layer them? Thanks, Misty
Thanks So much for including the tags! Very helpful! Can’t wait to make these.
Thank you for this recipe! I would like to make them for Christmas gifts this year. My question is: How far in advance can they be made up in hopes that the brown sugar doesn’t get hard? I have quart Bell Mason Jars with lids and rings. Also, question #2: I would like to make them with melted butter instead of oil. Would you suggest the same amount? ie: oil vs unsalted melted butter.
I did a test batch before I start jarring and putting them in the pantry. I do have a question though- how long do you think the jar batches are good for? I’d like to make a bunch (lol I have kids and these didn’t last long- very yummy- so obviously having more on hand would be better for me that and I feel you brownies are always nice to have on hand)
Hello
I haven’t calculated it out yet Kate, but I will! I buy cocoa and chocolate chips in the bulk bins at Winco, so I’ll need to check on the price.
I also love making things from scratch because I know exactly what is in them.
I did a test batch before I start jarring and putting them in the pantry. I do have a question though- how long do you think the jar batches are good for? I’d like to make a bunch (lol I have kids and these didn’t last long- very yummy- so obviously having more on hand would be better for me that and I feel you brownies are always nice to have on hand)
Hi Selena! They will last for months or more on the shelf, but the brown sugar will likely get hard. You just have to break it up and mix it well, but there is no change to the taste.
Can u make it with just brown sugar??
Those look like great gifts. Pinning it!
These are amazing. I did a test batch before I start jarring and putting them in the pantry. I do have a question though- how long do you think the jar batches are good for? I’d like to make a bunch (lol I have kids and these didn’t last long- very yummy- so obviously having more on hand would be better for me that and I feel you brownies are always nice to have on hand)
As long as they are stored tightly with a lid they will be fine for a long time… 6+ months, I’d say. The brown sugar may harden, but can easily be broken up with a fork.
What kind of oil do you use?
Hi Ginger! I just use canola oil, but you could experiment with other kinds. I bet it would work fine!
What size jars are you using?
Quart jars
Hi Stephanie! Can’t wait to do this for holiday gifts! Question: do you use sweetened or unsweetened cocoa? Thanks!
Hi Meg– it’s the unsweetened kind that you find in the baking aisle (NOT hot chocolate).
Great. Thanks Stephanie!
I can’t wait to try this. What a great gift idea. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Donna! It does make a cute (and yummy) gift!
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for this recipe! I would like to make them for Christmas gifts this year. My question is: How far in advance can they be made up in hopes that the brown sugar doesn’t get hard? I have quart Bell Mason Jars with lids and rings. Also, question #2: I would like to make them with melted butter instead of oil. Would you suggest the same amount? ie: oil vs unsalted melted butter.
Thanks for getting back to me!!
Sheryl
I think using the same amount of butter would be fine. You might want to try a batch just to be sure. Sometimes I sub applesauce or another fruit puree for the oil.
I haven’t experimented with how long it takes for the brown sugar to harden. Even if the brown sugar isn’t hard when you give it away, there’s no guarantee that the recipient will use the mix quickly. It be breaks up pretty easily in my experience though.
Thank you very much for your response! I will let you know when I make a batch…with the butter for your info…in the future!
Again, many thanks!!
I just want to know because I am confused everything goes in the jar then what is in the baggie?
You would do one or the other. For my own pantry I just use a ziploc bag. For gifts, I make it look pretty in a jar.
My little 7 year old boy is stirring up 2 packs of brownie mix right now that we put together two weeks ago. Nice that it’s something even the little ones can help with!
My kids love to help too. It’s nice to have something productive that they can be a “big helper” with!
Looks great! What size is the jar? I am gonna buy a bunch of jars for this!
It’s a 1-quart canning jar. You can buy canning jars at walmart or even the thrift store. They’re the same ones we use to can applesauce, tomatoes, etc.
If I wanted to make smaller versions, what measurements would you recommend if I used pint jars?
A pint is half of a quart, so you could halve everything!
I assume C. stands for cup but whats the T.? is it teaspoon or tablespoon?
Hi Mary. Sorry about that. I updated the recipe. T is Tablespoon and t is teaspoon, but I went in and updated both the post and the printable recipe with the written out word each time.
This post is so bad for my waistline! But those brownies sound so good right now. Your jarred brownies look so pretty too. Thanks for the fun recipe!
You’ve got that right Leslie! They are dangerous (as are any treats around here)!
I love chocolate and your jar mix looks easy and a lot of fun to do. I like that you pre-make them so that you have them ready for whenever you want to pop a batch in the oven. Great time saver.
Thanks Sicorra. I really love having convenient yummy treats! 🙂
I love this blog!!! Quickly devoured it when I stumbled upon it, and I always look forward to your next post. My husband and I are both attorneys with about $85K in student loan debt and $15K in car loans and a few thousand in medical bills. Reading your blog keeps me inspired to keep paying down that debt. Cannot wait to be debt free!! Oh, and I love this frugal gift idea!!
Hi Julie. Thanks for your comment! That’s actually pretty impressive that you only have $85K in law school debt with both of you going to law school! Debt-free will be an exciting day for sure!!
Love this frugal idea for gifts! Thanks for linking up to our link party tonight! You’ll be one of our featured links for next weeks party! By the way, I really enjoy reading your blog! Great to have found you!
Thanks Danielle!
Sounds like a great idea! I’m curious though – have you compared cost of making it homemade versus your store-bought brownie mixes that you used to stock up on when they were on sale?
I haven’t calculated it out yet Kate, but I will! I buy cocoa and chocolate chips in the bulk bins at Winco, so I’ll need to check on the price.
I also love making things from scratch because I know exactly what is in them.
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing it with us at the #WWDParty – have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks Antionette!
When I see this, it’s a pity that most of my students don’t do teacher gifts LOL. I’ll have to make some myself, and you have given me once more a fantastic idea to stock up.
I’m glad it get your “teacher approval”! 🙂 I do love having them in the pantry for myself too!
Hi. Great looking receipe. I’m the the uk so please excuse my dim question but is ‘T’ teaspoon or tablespoon?
T= Tablespoon, t= teaspoon. Sorry for not making that clear Mandy. 🙂
I will be making these tonight!
They are yummy! I just sent 3 jars of brownie mix with my daughter this morning for teacher gifts!
these look amazing! What size Jar did you use?!
Very yummy!!!…..