Homemade Double-Chocolate Brownie Mix in a Mason Jar: The Ultimate Christmas Gift with Free Printable!
The holiday season is a magical time for giving, and nothing expresses warmth and thoughtfulness quite like a homemade gift. This week, we’re diving into the delightful world of Christmas Mason Jar desserts, focusing on a truly irresistible treat: Double-Chocolate Brownies. These layered brownie mixes in a jar are not only stunning to look at but also incredibly easy for recipients to prepare, making them the perfect last-minute gift or a wonderful gesture for anyone on your list.
Mason jar desserts offer a charming, personal touch that store-bought gifts often lack. They combine the joy of baking with the convenience of a ready-to-make mix, all wrapped up in a festive package. In addition to these fudgy double-chocolate brownies, be sure to explore our other fantastic Mason Jar gift ideas for the season, including Peppermint Bark Cookies, classic Sugar Cookies, and fun M&M Christmas Cookies.

The Magic of Mason Jar Brownie Gifts for the Holidays
Growing up, my mother had a wonderful tradition of crafting homemade gifts for neighbors and co-workers during the holidays. It was a tradition steeped in love and personal effort, and it’s something I’ve cherished and strived to continue. There’s a special kind of joy in giving a gift you’ve made yourself, knowing it will bring comfort and deliciousness to someone else’s busy holiday season.
As a devoted fan of brownies, I firmly believe there’s no better gift than one that is both incredibly delicious and remarkably easy for the recipient to enjoy. The holidays are often a whirlwind of activities, and a homemade treat that can be whipped up in minutes is truly a blessing. Gifting a Mason jar brownie mix means you’re offering a convenient, foolproof dessert solution for a spontaneous sweet craving or an unexpected holiday gathering. It’s a perfect way to spread genuine Christmas cheer, one fudgy, chocolatey bite at a time. Today, I’m thrilled to share how you can assemble this truly amazing and utterly foolproof brownie gift that’s sure to impress everyone on your list!
Why Double-Chocolate Brownies Make the Perfect Edible Gift
Brownies hold a special place in the hearts of many, and for good reason! Their rich, fudgy texture and intense chocolate flavor are universally appealing. Opting for a “double-chocolate” recipe elevates this classic comfort food, guaranteeing an extra decadent experience. This particular recipe ensures a moist, chewy brownie every time, even for novice bakers. The dry ingredients are carefully layered within the jar, creating an attractive presentation that hints at the deliciousness to come. Once baked, these brownies are perfect on their own, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or dusted with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Their versatility and simple preparation make them an ideal candidate for a thoughtful, homemade holiday gift.
Essential Supplies for Assembling Your Brownie Jars
Creating these charming Mason jar gifts is a straightforward process, but having the right tools makes it even easier and more enjoyable. Here’s a list of supplies you’ll need to prepare your beautiful Double-Chocolate Brownie mixes:
- Mason Jars (Set of 12): Wide-mouth, quart-sized (32 oz) jars are ideal. They provide ample space for layering ingredients and make them easy to fill. A set is perfect if you’re planning to make multiple gifts.
- Wide Mouth Funnel: This is a game-changer! It prevents spills and keeps the jar sides clean, ensuring your layers stay neat and distinct. Essential for mess-free assembly.
- Food Scale: While not strictly necessary for layering, a food scale can help achieve precise measurements for ingredients like flour and sugar, leading to a consistently perfect brownie batch every time.
- Red Holiday Ribbon: To add a festive touch! Choose a ribbon that complements your holiday theme. I often find beautiful options at craft stores like Hobby Lobby.
- Miniature Clothespins: Perfect for attaching the printable recipe card to the ribbon-adorned jar. They add a rustic, charming detail.
- Mini Wire Kitchen Whisks (Set of 12): A delightful little extra that makes the gift feel even more complete. It’s a functional and decorative addition that recipients will love.
- FREE Printable Recipe Attachment: The essential component that provides baking instructions and finishes the gift beautifully.

Perfecting Your Mason Jar Brownie Mix: Key Ingredients
The success of any great brownie lies in the quality and balance of its ingredients. For this Mason jar gift, we’re focusing on the dry ingredients that will create that perfect fudgy, chewy brownie. Here’s a closer look at what goes into our festive mix, along with some helpful tips:
- Granulated Sugar: This isn’t just for sweetness; sugar also plays a crucial role in creating a tender, moist crumb and that characteristic shiny crust on top of your brownies.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The heart of our double-chocolate flavor! For the best results and to prevent lumps, it’s always a good idea to sift your cocoa powder before adding it to the jar. This ensures a smooth, consistent chocolate flavor throughout.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structure of your brownie. When measuring, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, as this can compact the flour and lead to overly dense or dry brownies.
- Baking Powder: Our leavening agent, which gives the brownies a slight lift without making them cakey. Always check the expiration date on your baking powder; old or inactive powder won’t yield the desired results.
- Salt: Don’t underestimate the power of a pinch of salt! It enhances all the other flavors, especially the rich chocolate, balancing the sweetness and adding depth to the brownies.
- Milk Chocolate Chips: These are the “double chocolate” element, melting into gooey pockets of deliciousness. Feel free to get creative here – dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even a mix of all three can add a fun twist and visual appeal to your layered jar.
Wet Ingredients to Add Later (by the Recipient):
These fresh ingredients are added by the recipient on baking day, ensuring maximum freshness and perfect texture:
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter contributes to the fudginess and rich flavor. Ensure it cools slightly before mixing with the eggs to prevent accidentally cooking them.
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better into batters, leading to a smoother, more uniform mix. This results in a more consistent brownie texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is always recommended for the best flavor. It complements the chocolate beautifully, adding a layer of aromatic complexity.
- Water: Warm water blends more easily with the melted butter and other wet ingredients, helping to create a cohesive batter without overmixing.

Download Your Free Christmas Brownies Printable Here!
To complete your thoughtful Mason jar gift, a clear and attractive recipe card is essential. We’ve made it easy for you with a beautiful, ready-to-print design. This printable provides all the necessary baking instructions for your recipient, making their experience seamless and enjoyable. Simply print, cut, and attach it to your decorated jar for the perfect finishing touch!
Download your FREE Christmas Brownies Printable Here.
Please note: Recipes and Printables are copyright for Non-Commercial use only.
Creative Gifting Ideas and Flavor Variations
Once your Mason Jar Brownie mixes are assembled, the gifting possibilities are endless! These charming gifts are perfect for:
- Neighbor Gifts: A simple, heartfelt gesture to show appreciation.
- Co-worker or Boss Gifts: A professional yet personal touch.
- Teacher Appreciation: A sweet way to thank educators during the holiday season.
- Hostess Gifts: Bring one along to a holiday party instead of wine.
- Stocking Stuffers: A fun and unexpected treat for family members.
To elevate your gift even further, consider adding small, complementary items:
- A festive holiday spoon or spatula.
- A small bag of gourmet coffee or hot cocoa mix.
- A cute oven mitt tied with a bow.
- A handwritten note expressing your holiday wishes.
Brownie Flavor Twists:
While this double-chocolate recipe is a classic, you can easily customize your Mason jar gifts with different flavor combinations:
- Peppermint Bark Brownies: Add crushed peppermint candies or peppermint-flavored chocolate chips as the top layer.
- Nutty Brownies: Layer in chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds after the chocolate chips.
- Salted Caramel Brownies: Include a small, separate baggie of caramel bits to be melted and swirled into the batter, or sprinkled on top before baking.
- Espresso Brownies: Mix a teaspoon of instant espresso powder into the cocoa powder layer for a deeper chocolate flavor.
The beauty of these gifts lies in their adaptability, allowing you to tailor them to the tastes of your recipients.
Storing Your Brownie Mix & Baked Delights
Proper storage ensures that both your Mason jar mixes and any leftover baked brownies remain fresh and delicious.
Storing Leftover Brownie Mix: Keep the dry brownie mix in its airtight Mason jar or a sealed bag at room temperature for up to 6 months. For best quality, store in a cool, dark pantry away from direct sunlight and humidity. If your mix contains any perishable ingredients (though this recipe focuses on dry goods), ensure they are fresh and advise the recipient to refrigerate and use within a few days.
Storing Baked Brownies: Once baked, allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This prevents condensation and keeps them from becoming soggy. Store the cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To freeze, wrap individual brownies or the whole slab tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Holiday Treats to Share
The spirit of holiday baking extends beyond brownies! If you’re looking for more festive inspiration for your kitchen or for gifting, explore these other delightful recipes:
- Christmas Donuts made to look like adorable reindeer.
- Crockpot Candy, super simple and perfect for last-minute gatherings.
- Santa Cookies, a charming treat perfect for Christmas Eve.
- Christmas Snack Mix, a sweet and salty blend covered in chocolate.
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Kits, another fantastic neighbor gift idea.
Print Recipe
Mason Jar Double-Chocolate Brownies (with Free Printables)
Chelsea Lords
10 minutes
18 minutes
28 minutes
12 servings
Equipment
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Wide-mouth Mason Jar (Quart-sized)
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9 x 13 inch baking pan
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Large mixing bowl
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Wire rack
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients (for Mason Jar Layers)
- 1-2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (or other chocolate chips)
Wet Ingredients (to be added by recipient)
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (3/4 cup), melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
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To Assemble the Mason Jar: Add the granulated sugar to the bottom of your clean, wide-mouth Mason jar. Tap the jar several times firmly on a flat surface to create an even, compact layer. Next, carefully add the unsweetened cocoa powder, gently compressing it into a firm, distinct layer. Use a paper towel to carefully wipe down the inside sides of the Mason jar after the cocoa powder layer to ensure clean lines. Follow with the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, compressing again. Finally, add the milk chocolate chips on top. Seal the Mason jar tightly. For gifting, tie a festive red holiday ribbon around the jar, optionally adding a miniature whisk and attaching the free printable recipe card with a miniature clothespin.
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Baking Instructions (for the recipient, also on the printable recipe card): Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Empty the entire Mason jar brownie mix into a large mixing bowl and stir well to combine all the dry ingredients evenly. Add the melted butter (cooled slightly), eggs, 2 tablespoons water, and vanilla extract to the dry mix; stir thoroughly until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 18–25 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out slightly sticky with moist crumbs (not wet batter). This indicates a fudgy brownie. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting and serving.
Recipe Notes
Storing Leftover Brownie Mix: Keep the dry mix in an airtight container or its sealed Mason jar at room temperature for up to 6 months. Ensure it’s stored in a cool, dry place.
Storing Baked Brownies: Let the baked brownies cool completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Nutrition Information
Per Serving (1 of 12 servings):
- Calories: 323 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.7g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0.7g
- Cholesterol: 62mg
- Sodium: 132mg
- Potassium: 142mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 32g
- Vitamin A: 403 IU
- Calcium: 37mg
- Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
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