Mason Jar invented today!

John Mason of New York City, patented the Mason Jar on November 30 1858, and changed homemakers' food preservation habits forever.

The jars we tend to recognize today are the Ball Mason Jars.  These were produced by the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Co., but not until 1885.  Although they produced a jar with the ”Patented 1858” imprint in the glass for many years, it was the patented jar style and the technique of mould casting they were using, the jars were made in the late 1800s into the 1900s.

I love a good mason jar.  They are sturdy, inexpensive and versatile.  These days making gifts in Mason Jars is especially popular, especially with the color jars Ball has been reproducing recently.

I pulled together these two cookie recipes so you can make some gifts and avoid the mad dash to store.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

·         3/4 cup white sugar

·         3/4 cup packed brown sugar

·         1 cup rolled oats

·         1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

·         1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Using a 1 quart jar, layer in the ingredients in the order given. Pack down the jar after each addition. Put the lid on, and cover with an 8-inch circle of fabric. Secure the fabric over the lid using a rubber band, then cover the rubber band by tying a nice piece of ribbon or raffia around the lid. 

Attach a tag to the ribbon with the following instructions:

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of softened butter, with 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Add the entire contents of the jar, and mix by hand until combined. Drop dough by heaping spoonfuls onto an unprepared cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven.

Oatmeal Fruit Cookies in a Jar

·         1/2 cup packed brown sugar

·         1/4 cup white sugar

·         3/4 cup wheat germ

·         1 cup quick cooking oats

·         1/2 cup dried cherries

·         1/2 cup golden raisins

·         2/3 cup flaked coconut

·         1 cup all-purpose flour

·         1/2 teaspoon baking soda

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix the flour, baking soda and salt together. Starting with the brown sugar layer the ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order given. Ending with the flour mixture.

Attach a card with the following directions:

Oatmeal Fruit Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line one baking sheet with parchment paper.  Empty the contents of the jar into a large bowl. Using a wooden spoon blend the mixture until well combined. Using your hands work in 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 cup milk. Still using your hands or a wooden spoon blend the egg mixture into the dough until well combined. Drop teaspoon sized mounds 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 14 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Place cookies on a rack to finish cooling. Makes approximately 2 dozen cookies.

At Backyard Patch Herbs I make soup mixes in Mason jars which are also perfect for gift giving.  You can check them out here: SOUP MIXES IN A JAR 

If you want to get an awesome cobalt blue reproduction 1858 Mason jar check out this listing at Amazon Drygoods!