Looking for a thoughtful, budget-friendly gift that still feels a little bit special? These brownies in a jar are one of my go-to homemade gifts - they're quick to put together, look gorgeous, and (most importantly!) bake into rich, fudgy brownies every time. Pair them with a ribbon and printable tag and you've got a beautiful gift sorted in minutes.
If you're a fan of simple homemade gifts, you'll also love my chocolate chip cookie mix in a jar or classic chocolate rocky road - they're just as easy to make and always go down a treat!
These brownies in a jar aren't just cute - they're genuinely delicious. The layered dry ingredients create a foolproof brownie mix that anyone can bake at home by simply adding butter and eggs. It's the perfect combination of practical and personal.
They're especially popular around the holidays (especially around Christmas time), but honestly, I make them year-round for teacher gifts, birthdays or even as a "just because" surprise. If you're building a homemade hamper, they pair beautifully with my easy caramel fudge or a batch of 3 ingredient shortbread.
I had this jar as a Christmas present, loved it!!!!
Easy to make and delicious, enjoyed the time making them with my grandaughter.
- Cristina
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
- Perfect homemade gift - thoughtful, affordable and looks stunning.
- Super quick to prepare - just 10 minutes and no baking required (yet!).
- Foolproof brownie mix - rich, chocolatey and hard to mess up.
- Customisable layers - swap in your favourite add-ins.
- Great for all occasions - Christmas, teachers, neighbours or friends.
Jump to:
Brownies In A Jar Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this recipe, with a few helpful notes below to ensure perfect results.
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
- Cocoa powder - use a good-quality cocoa for a rich chocolate flavour.
- Brown sugar - adds moisture and that classic fudgy texture.
- Chocolate chips - I love using a mix of milk and white for contrast, but you can customise to your preference.
- Walnuts - optional, but they add a lovely crunch (perfect to swap if needed).
- 1 lt Glass jar with lid - often found at K Mart or discount stores.
Variations
- Nut-free version - simply leave out the walnuts or replace with extra chocolate chips.
- Gluten-free option - use a good quality gluten-free plain flour blend.
- Triple chocolate brownies - add dark chocolate chips or chunks for extra richness.
- Festive twist - swap walnuts for M&Ms or chopped candy canes for Christmas gifting.
How To Make Brownies In A Jar
It is SO easy! Start off with a glass jar, then it's simply a matter of layering in the dry ingredients, printing out the gift tag... and that. is. it!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
- Prepare jar and mix dry base - Use a clean 1-litre glass jar. Combine flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl.
- Layer carefully - Add half the flour mixture to the jar and level it out. Spoon cocoa powder evenly over the flour.
- Add remaining flour mix - Gently add remaining flour mixture over the cocoa and smooth the surface.
- Continue layering - Add brown sugar, caster sugar, chocolate chips, then walnuts.
- Seal and decorate - Close the lid tightly and attach your printable gift tag.
- Baking instructions for label: Empty jar contents into a bowl, add 150g melted butter and 3 eggs, mix well, then bake at 170°C for 25-30 minutes in a lined slice tin.
Recipe Tips
- Use a wide-mouth jar for easier layering and better presentation.
- If you're making a few jars at once, it's easiest to scale up your dry ingredients (double, triple or more), then line the jars up and add each layer to all of them one ingredient at a time - just like a little production line.
- Gently tap the jar on the bench between layers to keep them even.
- Wipe the inside of the jar with a paper towel for clean, defined layers.
- Don't skip the brown sugar - it's key for fudgy brownies!
- If you have a bit of room at the top of the jar, simply add in some extra walnuts.
- Store the jar in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
- Once baked, brownies keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze baked brownies for up to 3 months (slice first for convenience).
- Add a handwritten tag for a more personal touch.
Free Printable Gift Tag For 'Brownies In A Jar'
Click here to download your free printable gift tags (alternatively you can handwrite your own tag).
Brownies In A Jar FAQ's
The dry mix will last up to 3 months if stored in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly sealed.
A 1-litre clear glass jar works perfectly for fitting all the layers neatly while showing them off beautifully.
Absolutely! Just omit the walnuts or replace with chocolate chips or sprinkles.
Yes! Dark chocolate chips will give a richer, less sweet flavour.
It's a good idea if your cocoa is a little lumpy, as it helps create smooth, even layers.
More Homemade Gift Ideas
Looking for more easy yet thoughtful treats to gift? Here are some of my favourite homemade goodies that are just as simple and guaranteed to impress.
WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Brownies in a Jar
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups plain flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
- ¾ cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- ¾ cup caster sugar
- ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- 100 g walnuts, roughly chopped
Instructions
- To make 'brownies in a jar' you'll need a 1 litre glass jar.
- In a small bowl, mix the plain flour, salt and baking powder together.
- Carefully spoon half of the flour mixture into the bottom of the glass jar. Gently move the flour around so that you have an even layer.
- Spoon the cocoa powder on top of the plain flour in the jar and spread around to create another even layer.
- Spoon the remaining flour mixture over the top.
- Continue to create the layers in the following order - brown sugar, caster sugar, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and finally walnuts.
- Close the lid of the glass jar (if you have any extra space at the top of the jar, simply top up with extra walnuts).
- Print out our free recipe gift tag and attach to the jar with a ribbon (see notes). I
Notes
- Use a wide-mouth jar for easier layering and better presentation.
- If you're making a few jars at once, it's easiest to scale up your dry ingredients (double, triple or more), then line the jars up and add each layer to all of them one ingredient at a time - just like a little production line.
- Gently tap the jar on the bench between layers to keep them even.
- Wipe the inside of the jar with a paper towel for clean, defined layers.
- Don't skip the brown sugar - it's key for fudgy brownies!
- If you have a bit of room at the top of the jar, simply add in some extra walnuts.
- Store the jar in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
- Once baked, brownies keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze baked brownies for up to 3 months (slice first for convenience).
- Click here to download your free printable gift tags
- Or add a handwritten tag for a more personal touch. Here are the instructions:
Jennifer says
Made 17 of these jars for extra gifts this year. Looked fabulous and so easy! Went well in baking baskets, with Christmas tea towel, platter and servers, or mixing cups and bowls. Some clear cellophane, Christmas greenery sprigs and pretty ribbon, these looked like super expensive gifts.
Jenna says
I can't find the free printable link for this
Lucy says
Hey Jenna, if you click the jump to recipe button, the print button will be in the recipe card 🙂
Cristina says
I had this jar as a Christmas present, loved it!!!!
Easy to make and delicious, enjoyed the time making them with my grandaughter
Lucy says
Fantastic!!!
Brielle Turner says
Hi, I was wondering if a one quart jar would work?
Aiya Pehlic says
For one serving, do you know what size jar i'll need?
Jacinta says
It's a 1 ltr jar Aiya.