Muffin mix in a jar
(Image credit: Future)

Muffin mix in a jar is the great alternative present idea for everything from a last minute housewarming present to Secret Santa. 

Homemade food gifts like this muffin mix in a jar are fun, cheap and really show the recipient you care. We've made a chocolate muffins mix here as they're the most classic and easiest muffin idea, loved by many. Just add a pretty ribbon and write the recipe on a tag for the Christmas muffin mix, so the recipient knows how to turn the dry mix into deliciously tasty chocolate muffins. You could also make a mix for blueberry muffins by adding dried fruit and banana muffins by similarly adding dried bananas to the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 400g self-raising flour
  • 275g soft brown sugar
  • 40g cocoa
  • 2tsp baking powder
  • 100g chocolate chunks

Step 1

Take a 1l sterilised Kilner jar and place on a flat, stable surface.

Step 2

Mix together the flour and baking powder and pour them into the jar.

Step 3

Pat down the flour with the end of a rolling pin to get a flat surface and to pack the flour down tightly.

Step 4

Pour the cocoa powder on the top of the flour. You may find this easier (and less messy) from a jug rather than a bowl.

Step 5

Pat the cocoa powder with the end of a rolling pin to get a flat surface and to pack it down tightly.

Step 6

Pour the light brown sugar into the jar.

Step 7

Pack the sugar down with the end of a rolling pin to get an even surface.

Step 8

Add enough chocolate chunks to fill the jar right to the top.

Step 9

Seal the jar tightly: the mix will last for a couple of months in a tightly sealed jar stored in a cool, dry place.

Step 10

Muffin mix in a jar

(Image credit: Future)

Wrap the jar with a ribbon and attach a label with our muffin recipe so the recipient knows how to turn them into muffins.