Creamsicle Cookies in a Jar

Here's another jar cookie mix that people seem to really enjoy receiving.

CREAMSICLE COOKIES IN A JAR

1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
Dash of salt
1/2 cup powdered orange drink mix (like Tang® -- store brand works fine)
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups vanilla baking chips

Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together onto wax paper. Set aside. In a wide-mouth quart jar, layer the orange drink mix, then the sugar, then the vanilla baking chips, pressing each layer firmly as you go. Roll up the wax paper gently and use it as a funnel to transfer the flour mixture to the jar. Cover.

Make a tag for the jar with the following instructions: Empty contents of jar into large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup softened butter or real margarine, 1 egg, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix until completely blended. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined or lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 375º for 12 to 14 minutes.

As mentioned previously, I have found that the large instant coffee jars work as well as canning jars for this, and they often have festive-looking red lids as well. A jar filler type of wide-mouth funnel (the type used in canning) works really well for putting ingredients for mixes neatly into jars. For the tag, I usually write the information on a 4x6 file card and tape it directly to the jar (like a label) with clear packaging tape, covering the label completely to make it moisture-resistant. I think taping it on works better than tying a tag to the jar, because that way there's no chance of the instructions getting lost or thrown away.