Delicious Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix: The Ultimate DIY Mason Jar Gift for Cozy Holiday Breakfasts

Top down view of cranberry chocolate chip pancakes drizzled with syrup and dusted with powdered sugar. — A stack of warm Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes, beautifully drizzled with maple syrup and a light dusting of powdered sugar, ready for a special breakfast.

There’s something incredibly special about a homemade gift, especially during the holiday season. It’s a gesture that speaks volumes, showing care, thought, and effort. This Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix in a Mason Jar is not just a gift; it’s an experience. It promises a delightful, cozy breakfast, perfect for Christmas morning or any special occasion, and it’s surprisingly easy to put together. Imagine the joy on someone’s face when they receive this beautifully layered jar, knowing a delicious, warm meal awaits them with minimal fuss.

The inspiration for this particular recipe came from a cherished Christmas cookbook belonging to my daughter. She absolutely loves spending time in the kitchen, and these mason jar gifts offer a fantastic opportunity to involve children in the joy of creating something meaningful for others. It’s a wonderful way to teach them about giving and the simple pleasures of homemade goodness.

Why Mason Jar Gifts Are the Perfect Present

In a world often filled with consumerism, giving a DIY Christmas gift like this pancake mix is a refreshing change. Mason jar gifts stand out because they are:

Personalized and Thoughtful: Each jar is assembled with care, reflecting the giver’s personal touch. It’s far more meaningful than a generic store-bought item.
Clutter-Free: For friends, family, teachers, or coworkers who “have everything” or prefer not to accumulate more physical items, an edible gift is ideal. It’s enjoyed, then it’s gone – leaving only sweet memories!
Engaging for All Ages: Assembling these jars can be a fun activity for kids, encouraging their creativity and involvement in the gifting process. Layering the ingredients creates a visually appealing display that’s satisfying to create.
Practical and Delicious: Who doesn’t love a delicious, easy-to-make breakfast? This mix provides the base for a gourmet meal without the recipient needing to measure out multiple dry ingredients.
Versatile: While perfect for Christmas, this mix is also wonderful for birthdays, housewarmings, thank-you gifts, or just a thoughtful “thinking of you” gesture.

Beyond this delightful pancake mix, consider other fantastic homemade gifting options such as Homemade Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix or decadent Homemade Chocolate Truffles. These complements can create a luxurious gift basket, elevating your thoughtful present even further.

Mason jar of Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancake mix packaged with a green ribbon. — A perfectly layered Mason jar of Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancake mix, adorned with a festive green ribbon, ready to be gifted.

Crafting Your Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancake Mason Jar Gift

Creating this beautiful and functional gift is simpler than you might think. The key lies in carefully layering the ingredients to create an appealing visual effect, making the gift as lovely to look at as it is delicious to eat. Here are some essential tips and considerations for assembling your homemade pancake mix:

Nut Customization: While pecans offer a wonderful crunch and flavor, feel free to substitute them with other nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts. These alternatives will also add a delightful texture and taste to the pancakes.
Enhance the Gift: To make this gift truly complete and ready for immediate enjoyment, consider pairing the mason jar with a small bottle of high-quality maple syrup. A festive whisk or a cute tea towel could also be wonderful additions to a small gift basket.
Personalized Instructions: We’ve included a printable recipe card below that you can easily attach to the jar. However, for an even more personal touch, consider handwriting the directions! My oldest daughter helped me write the instructions for one of these jars, and it truly adds a heartfelt, unique element. If you’re making several jars, printing is certainly more efficient, but don’t underestimate the charm of a handwritten note.
Layering for Success: When filling your jar, carefully add each layer of ingredients. After each addition, gently tap the bottom of the jar on your counter. This helps the ingredients settle and compress, preventing them from mixing together prematurely and ensuring distinct, beautiful layers.
Storage and Freshness: Once assembled, this pancake mix in a jar will keep wonderfully at room temperature for up to one month. This makes it a great gift to prepare in advance during busy holiday seasons.

A bite taken from a stack of cranberry chocolate chip pancakes. — A close-up of a delightful stack of Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes, with a section revealing the fluffy interior and delightful add-ins.

Essential Supplies for Your Mason Jar Pancake Mix

Gathering your supplies is the first step to creating these charming and delicious gifts. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few tips to make the process even smoother:

Quart Mason Jars (with matching lids and rings): I highly recommend using wide-mouth quart jars. Their larger opening makes it significantly easier to funnel in ingredients neatly, preventing spills and keeping your layers distinct. Standard mouth jars work, but can be a bit trickier.
Funnel: This tool is your best friend for mess-free layering. You can usually find funnels in the canning section of your local grocery store or at a hardware store. It helps guide the ingredients precisely into the jar.
Green Ribbon (or other festive ribbon): A simple ribbon adds a beautiful, festive touch to your gift. I found this particular green ribbon at Walmart, but any color that matches your holiday theme or the recipient’s favorite color would be perfect.
Ingredients to Fill the Jar: All the dry ingredients for the pancake mix are detailed in the recipe card below. Ensure they are fresh and of good quality for the best pancake experience.
Printable or Handwritten Instructions: A clear set of instructions is crucial for the recipient. Whether you choose our convenient printable option (available below the recipe card) or opt for a heartfelt handwritten card, make sure the steps for preparing the pancakes are easy to follow.

A stack of cranberry chocolate chip pancakes being drizzled with maple syrup. — Golden Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes receiving a generous pour of rich maple syrup, promising a delightful treat.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Don’t miss out on delicious recipes and creative ideas! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all my latest updates!

Mason Jar Gift Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes

This Mason Jar Gift Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes is a great DIY gift for Christmas. Plus, it will make a perfect special occasion breakfast!

Servings:

6
servings per jar

Author:
Malinda Linnebur

This Mason Jar Gift Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes is a great DIY gift for Christmas. Plus, it will make a perfect special occasion breakfast!

Save Recipe
Saved!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

20 minutes

Total Time:

30 minutes

Cook Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

▢
2
cups (260g)
all purpose flour
▢
2
tablespoons
sugar
▢
4
teaspoons
baking powder
▢
1
teaspoon
ground cinnamon
▢
¼
teaspoon
salt
▢
2
cups (470ml)
milk
▢
2
large eggs, lightly beaten
▢
4
tablespoons
melted butter
▢
1
tablespoon
vanilla
▢
1
cup (120g)
dried cranberries
▢
½
cup (90g)
semi sweet chocolate chips
▢
½
cup (55g)
chopped pecans

Instructions

To make pancakes:

Preheat a griddle over medium-low heat.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir until just barely combined. Then, add the dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and pecans, stirring just until everything is incorporated.
Pour 1/3 cupfuls of batter onto the hot griddle. Cook until bubbles begin to form on the surface and the edges look set, and the bottom is lightly browned. Flip the pancake carefully. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the other side is also lightly browned and cooked through.
Serve your delicious pancakes immediately with warm maple syrup and fresh fruit if desired.

To make mason jar gift:

In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Spoon this dry mix carefully into a 1-quart wide-mouth mason jar (a funnel will make this much easier and cleaner). Gently tap the jar on the counter after adding this layer to help it settle. Next, meticulously layer the remaining ingredients in this order to create a beautiful visual: first the chocolate chips, then the dried cranberries, and finally the chopped pecans. Seal the jar tightly with its lid and ring, and attach the recipe card with the preparation instructions.

Notes

Feel free to replace the pecans with walnuts or hazelnuts; both will add a wonderful flavor and texture!
Complete the gift package by including a small jar of high-quality maple syrup.
A printable recipe card is available to attach to the jar, or for a more personal touch, you can write out the directions by hand. My oldest daughter enjoyed helping me with this, adding a unique charm.
This mason jar mix can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month, making it perfect for preparing ahead of time.

Nutrition

Did you make this?
Let me know by sharing a picture and tagging @countryside_cravings on Instagram

Download Your Printable Mason Jar Gift Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe Card Here!

Creating this Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix Mason Jar Gift is a delightful way to share warmth and joy. It’s more than just food; it’s a thoughtful experience, from the moment you layer the vibrant ingredients to the festive presentation and, finally, the cozy breakfast enjoyed by your loved ones. Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or just to show you care, this homemade gift is sure to be cherished. Happy gifting!