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Best Homemade Iced Oatmeal Cookie Jars for Teacher Gifts

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These Homemade Iced Oatmeal Cookie Jars are a thoughtful and practical gift for teachers. The jar contains all the dry ingredients for chewy iced oatmeal cookies, with a separate icing packet, so the teacher can bake fresh cookies whenever they want.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 ½ cups (135g) old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
  • ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
  • For the Icing Packet:
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30-45ml) whole milk (or any milk)
  • Ingredients the Teacher Adds:
  • ½ cup (1 stick, 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Part 1: Assembling the Cookie Jar
  2. 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. 2. Using a funnel, layer the ingredients in a quart-sized mason jar: start with the flour mixture at the bottom, tap gently to settle. Add a layer of oats, then packed brown sugar, then granulated sugar. If using raisins or dried cranberries, sprinkle on top of the sugars. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with oats on top. Pack each layer firmly.
  4. 3. Seal the jar tightly. Decorate with ribbon or twine.
  5. 4. In a small zip-top bag or envelope, combine the powdered sugar with a note to add vanilla and milk. Seal and attach to the jar.
  6. 5. On a gift tag, write: ‘Empty jar contents into a large bowl. Add ½ cup softened butter, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix until combined. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, until edges are golden. Cool completely. For icing: mix powdered sugar packet with ½ teaspoon vanilla and 2-3 tablespoons milk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies.’ Attach to the jar.
  7. Part 2: Baking the Cookies (for the Teacher)
  8. 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  9. 2. Empty the jar into a large mixing bowl. Add ½ cup softened butter, 1 large egg (room temperature), and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  10. 3. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until combined. Do not overmix. Dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
  11. 4. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  12. 5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers look set but still soft.
  13. 6. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  14. 7. In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar from the packet with ½ teaspoon vanilla and 2-3 tablespoons milk until smooth and drizzle-able.
  15. 8. Drizzle icing over cooled cookies. Let set for about 20 minutes before serving or storing.

Notes

Toast the oats at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until nutty for deeper flavor. Pack brown sugar firmly in the jar to prevent shifting. For the icing, start with 2 tablespoons of milk and add more as needed. Watch cookies closely; pull them out when edges are golden but centers still look slightly underdone. Store the jar in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months. Baked cookies (without icing) can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: iced oatmeal cookies, cookie jar gift, teacher gift, homemade gift, oatmeal cookies, easy cookie recipe

Find it online: https://spoonette.com/best-homemade-iced-oatmeal-cookie-jars-for-teacher-gifts/