Most people I know, housewives/husbands or not, love to have a make-ahead dessert. One that is easy, delicious, no-fuss, uncompromising on taste and presentation, does not make a mess of the kitchen, doesn’t call for fancy ingredients, and definitely one that you can have out the oven in 10 minutes. For times like these there I’m sharing with you … Brownies in a Jar.
What’s the big USP here? This premix can be made days or weeks ahead (to be stored in an airtight container in a cool place) and ready for last minute use: where all you need to do is throw in the mix, a few eggs with a little butter and pop it into the oven.
The base of this brownie welcomes additions and toppings of your choice including nuts, chocolate chips, a chocolate drizzle, a dusting of sugar, or a sprinkling of spice. Using a good quality cocoa powder will impart a rich chocolate flavor and comes highly recommended.
I’ve baked these fudgy brownies on several occasions, trying a different variation every time.
– Add a combination of dark and white chocolate chips to the batter or sprinkle on top once its in the pan
– Add 1/2 tsp mint extract for mint chocolate chip brownies. You could also sprinkle mint chocolate chips
– Add 1/2 cup of nuts of your choice. Walnuts, pecans, macadamia…
– Add 3/4 tsp cinnamon along with the dry ingredients for cinnamon chocolate brownies
– If you like it plain and simple, dust it with confectioner’s sugar
– Drizzle it with either white and dark chocolate or both
– Serve it warm with a dollop of ice cream
These make for an exceptional gift too. The recipe yields 2 dozen brownies. Make the premix, put it in a fancy jar, write a recipe card and present to a friend or two. Take care of the topping however, you don’t want to be putting in nuts and giving it to a person who’s allergic to them. You might also want to mention that you used all-purpose flour keeping in mind some people follow a gluten-free diet or are allergic to it.
- 2½ cups sugar
- ⅔ cup premium-quality cocoa powder
- ½ cup chopped nuts, optional
- ⅛ tsp baking soda
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 large eggs, slightly whisked
- To prepare, pour sugar into a large Mason jar or other large jar. Add cocoa, nuts, baking soda, and salt. Spoon flour on top and press down. Seal jar.
- To make brownies, dump mix into a large bowl. Stir in ¾ cup melted unsalted butter and then 4 eggs. Spread batter in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch or 11- x 8-inch pan. Bake at 350 F for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool at room temperature 20 minutes. Refrigerate 30 minutes and then cut.
The recipe yields rich, dense and gooey brownies. Simply irresistible.
Happy Baking!
A great idea!
Cheers,
Rosa
Hi An,
I love this! Great for homemade holiday gifts! :)
xoxo,
Barbie
Lovely gift idea. I make all of my holiday gifts and people love gifts from the heart. I love this way more than a baked good in a jar btw.
I’d eat the whole jar because that looks delicious!!!
Oh my goodness these are beautiful! I always THINK about making things like these but I never DO it! This post is a needed push to the tush :)
I love these to give away as gifts. Perfect!
Wow, that is such a pretty, delicious, and creative gift idea :) Love it!
I love the packaging and the different strata in the jar. Well done and I think anyone would be psyched to get this as a gift.
This is such a gorgeous idea for Christmas presents- thank you!
Love this very thoughtful gift idea.
I love gifts like this and this looks so pretty. I would be excited to get brownies in a jar. :)
This looks great–I love these sort of gift ideas!
Wow what a clever idea and definitley makes a lovely gift. Very cool.
Look at you without much sleep and came up with yet another delightful treat! ;-)
This is a great idea, as others have said, and I think it’s something that folks would appreciate. They’ll love the packaging (and the thought). Wonderful idea.
Alaiyo
What a fabulous idea for a holiday gift! I may have to make this for my book club next year! They’d love it~
This is such a tasty idea, a great change from the traditional cookies in a jar! Perfect gift for the holidays!
What a great idea! Happiness and love in a jar!
Perfect hostess gift for the holidays!
What a cute gift! I would totally make this if someone gave it to me, my friends on the other hand…. LOL
Fabulous idea…your presentation is beautiful. thanks for sharing
I love the layered pretty look of these!
These are my favorite kind of gifts to give and receive. I love that you could spend a weekend making a whole bunch just to have on hand for yourself as well. Great idea!
Um, how awesome is this!? I think you’ve just solved all my Christmas shopping problems (oh, and I DO consider them to be problems) in one fell swoop. :)
So cute! I love these things-we used to make these in Girl Scouts and they are great!
I love it! It’s simple and sweet. Would make a great hostess gift.
Lovely and yummy just the way I like it. A perfect complement to a basket of homemade preserve.
What a fun and delicious holiday gift idea. I promised myself to make some this year. You gave me a yummy recipe I need to try:)xx
The perfect Christmas gift. Love the idea. Now I will have to think of people, who’d receive this wondrous gift for their special occasions.
Loved your presentation of this *certain not to be re-gifted* gift idea :)
love this gift idea! will have to find out if my friends have oven before gifting or they might go buy an oven after receiving this gift :P
Not only a great idea to have in the cupboard for when you need a brownie fix, but also an amazing gift idea! So on target for this holiday season!!
XOXO
a jar full of yumm !! :D
These would make fantastic gifts…so pretty!
This is so pretty!! Would make for great and delicious gifts too!
Awesome idea…
I would love getting that as a gift! And who doesn’t love Brownies! Thanks for sharing such a great idea for a personalized gift!
Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
GENIUS! This is the best party dessert ever :)
These are adorable and what a great idea!!
This definitely makes a creative gift for the holidays!
What a terrific idea for a gift!!! I love it!
I’ve never heard of brownies in a jar before! What a clever idea, and great presentation too!
Love stuff in jars. Takes me to my happy place. Great presentation.
LOVE this idea. It’s easy, looks great and somebody else gets to be creative w/ it!
Yum!! I need to eat something chocolate now.
I love gifts in jars!!! This is GREAT!
Genius! So simple but so cool looking!
Take care..
This is just a lovely idea!
This is a super cute idea!
I love this type of gift idea–easy but still personal. Buzzed!
Well I saw the guest post at Jen. The short bread was amazing with the drizzled icing. I came to your blog and does not know where to leave comment and where not to . Everything looks so perfect to me. Brownies in a jar is a great gift idea for people who loves brownies like my daughter. Glad I found your blog and now will keep in touch.
What a great gift to bring for a dinner host!
This is so sweet – literally. Lovely idea for a present.
What a great idea! I just made a bunch of cookie jar mixes, but brownies in a jar sounds like a very nice gift, as well. I think I’ll have to bookmark this and give this a try, too!
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This is a fantastic idea!! I have a lot of glass jars and I’m definitely going to give it a try to give to my family and friends. Who doesn’t love a nice brownie. :) Have a Merry Christmas!
I like your idea about Brownies In A Jar .. its perfect