From left to right – Front row: Season’s Greetings poultry seasoning mix and Spiced Holiday Nuts. Back row: Pumpkin Pie Muffin Mix, Raw Cookie Dough Bites Mix, Homemade Granola and Fruit-n-Nut Bars Mix.

One of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions is to make homemade gifts in a jar. And the wonderful thing is, they’re as much fun to make together, as they are to give to others! Simply layer the ingredients of a favorite recipe in a mason jars, then add a festive ribbon and tag, and there you have it – a thoughtful gift made with love.

There are certainly a ton of mason jar gift ideas out there, but unfortunately, many rely on unhealthy ingredients. So I thought it would be fun to share just a few of my favorites with the hope that this may help you to create some healthy homemade gifts of your own!

My Favorite GF Whole Food Mason Jar Gift Recipes

1. Fruit-in-Nut Bars in a Jar – These mock KIND Fruit-n-Nut Bars have been one of the most popular recipes I’ve posted this year. I modified the recipe a bit so it makes a beautiful and delicious gift-in-a-jar.

2. Slow Cooker Spiced Holiday Nuts – This year, we’ll be spreading holiday cheer with this delightful Spiced Holiday Nuts Gift-in-a-Jar recipe. These tasty nuts capture the aroma and flavor of the holiday season with just a hint of cayenne, giving them an extra kick of flavor. Honestly, it’s almost impossible to stop eating them!

3. Festive Little Gingersnaps in a Jar – Slightly crispy along the edges with a sweet-n-spicy chewy center, these scrumptious little grain-free gingersnap cookies make a thoughtful holiday gift! I like to stack them in recycled mason jars and dress-them-up with festive ribbons and bows.

4. “Season’s Greetings” in a Jar – This savory all-purpose seasoning mix makes a wonderful gift, especially when paired with my free recipe card printables.

5.  Raw Cookie Dough Bites Mix in a Jar – My popular Raw Cookie Dough Bites recipe also works beautifully as a gift in a jar. Bet you can’t eat just one!

6.  Pumpkin Pie Muffins Mix in a Jar  – A much requested favorite, my GF pumpkin muffin recipe makes a beautiful and tasty gift in a jar!

7. Jumbleberry Jam in a Jar –  You can use any whole food jam recipe to create a delicious holiday gift. I especially love to give my family’s favorite  – Jumbleberry Jam – it’s secret ingredient allows the jam to set without the use of pectin powders!

8. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter and/or Slow Cooker Apple Butter in a Jar – These traditional fall-inspired spreads are so easy to make! And there so delicious! Your friends and family will love these!

9. Healthy Homemade Granola Gifts-in-a-Jar – the delicious versatility of homemade granola (and this simple healthy homemade granola bars recipe) makes it a thoughtful and welcomed gift!

10. Homemade Doggie Treats Gift-in-a-Jar – don’t forget your furry little friends! Doggies love homemade treats too! Take it from my pup Frankie, these easy Sweet Potato Puppy Treats are tail waggin’ good!

Tips for Creating Your Own Homemade Gifts …

Many recipes can be converted into beautiful gifts-in-a-jar. When thinking about which of your favorite recipes will work well as a gift-in-the-jar, it’s important to consider the following:
• Will the recipe ingredients fit in a standard size mason jar, such as a half-pint, pint or quart?
• How easy is the recipe to assemble? Are the additional items needed to complete the recipe standard ingredients that most people have on hand?
• How will you include instructions for making the recipe? (My preferred option is to include the instructions inside a holiday greeting card and place the card and gift jar into a recycled gift bag.)
• What are the storage requirements for the gift jar – should it be refrigerated or stored at room temp? And for how long? (Be sure these are included in the instructions, or explained to the recipient.) 

I hope these ideas inspire you to create some healthy homemade holiday gifts of your own! Wishing you and your family many blessings for a joyful and Merry Christmas! Joyfully Serving Him, Kelly

In Southern California, fresh ripe raspberries arrive as early as May, which means it’s the perfect time to start stockpiling these delectable treats (as well as other delicious berry favorites, like organic strawberries and blueberries).

Once berry season is in full gear, we enjoy almost daily doses of fresh-from-the-field berries in homemade yogurt parfaits and atop grain-free granola. Of course, as the berries become overripe, they’re perfect for freezing and for making wonderful homemade preserves – both of which can be enjoyed year-round.

In celebration of berry season, I’m this special recipe from my cookbook, Everyday Grain-Free Baking. These delightful Raspberry Crumble Bars, with their slightly sweetened cookie crust, really highlight the sweet-n-tangy flavor of raspberries! (By the way, they’re absolutely delightful with any fruit preserves of choice! Feel free to substitute with apricot, strawberry, or mixed berry preserves.)

Although there are several steps, these bars come to together quick-n-easy, making them a fun recipe for cooking with kids. They also freeze well, if you can resist the temptation of eating them all in one sitting

This delightful recipe is just one of more than 100 irresistible grain-free, dairy-free recipes in my new cookbook – Everyday Grain-Free Baking!

From breads, biscuits and muffins to savory snacks and decadent treats, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, beautiful color photographs and helpful tips & tidbits to make all of your GF baking adventures a delicious success!

Click here to get a SNEAK PEEK of the book!