Cowgirl Cookies

My friend Erica just celebrated her 24th birthday, and I had been trying to think of a creative gift for her to enjoy. Well, if you know me at all, you know that I LOVE to bake...probably too much! :) I always loved it when people gave me gifts that had to do with baking, so I thought of making a cookie mix jar. One of my favorite cookies that my mother-in-law Kris liked to make were Cowboy Cookies. Because they are soooo good, I decided to use this recipe in the cookie jar. Also, knowing I was giving the jar to a girl, I named them Cowgirl Cookies. :) I really wanted to add pink (breast cancer awareness) M&Ms to the jar to make it more girly, but I could not find them anywhere! This gift was not only fun to make, but relatively easy as well! I think it would be a great gift for several people around events and holidays as well!

Here is the recipe and instructions for creating a Cowgirl/Cowboy Cookie Jar:

Cowgirl Cookies

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup m&ms
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Add

1 slightly beaten egg
1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Use the back of a large spoon to work it all together. You may even need to use your hands to get everything incorporated.

Layer the ingredients in like this:

*You will want to start with a 1 quart smooth ball jar.

First: flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt
Second: oats
Third: m&ms
Fourth: chocolate chips
Fifth: brown sugar
Sixth: white sugar
Seventh: chopped pecans

*Be sure to pack in each layer VERY TIGHTLY! If you don't, it will be hard to fit all of the ingredients in. Also, you can add fewer M&Ms, chocolate chips, or nuts if needed.

To Finish

Add a 6"X6" piece of fabric on top of the jar and tie with leather lace. Then add a "Cowgirl Cookies" label on the front. Be sure to also add the mixing and baking instructions. Enjoy!