S'mores in a Jar Recipe

Make This Quick, Easy, and Fun Gift with Children of Any Age

Aug 8, 2009 Barbara Thompson

S'mores in a jar is a quick and easy handmade gift that children can make with minimal assistance. Kids will love making and personalizing this delicious craft.

Children of all ages get a thrill from giving gifts to the adults in their lives and the gift is much more special when it is handmade. S'mores in a jar is a quick, easy, and inexpensive option. In fact, most of the ingredients are probably in the kitchen or pantry already. Younger children will need a little bit of assistance but older kids can complete this project with only minimal adult supervision. The best part is that this gift can be personalized for any season or occasion.

Materials for S'mores in a Jar

  • 1 Quart-size canning jar with lid and ring
  • 1 Sleeve of graham crackers (about 10 crackers)
  • 1.5 Cups of mini-marshmallows (or 8-10 Peeps holiday marshmallows)
  • 1.5 Cups of chocolate chips, seasonal M&Ms, or similar chocolate candies
  • 1/3 Cup packed brown sugar
  • Scrap of fabric, ribbon, stickers, paint pens, etc. for decorating and embellishing the jar (optional)
  • Card stock for printing the recipe (4 recipes per page)

Directions for S'mores in a Jar

  1. Place graham crackers in a zippered freezer bag and crush. This task is especially fun for young children. Use a rolling pin, hammer, meat tenderizer, or pound with little hands until there is nothing but crumbs.
  2. Pour about 2/3 of the crumbs into a clean, dry canning jar. Use a wooden spoon or other utensil to lightly pack the crumbs in the bottom of the jar. Use a canning funnel to avoid spilling.
  3. Add the marshmallows on top of the graham cracker crumbs. If using seasonal Peeps, leave the candies connected and gently arrange them in a ring around the outside of the jar.
  4. Pour the remaining graham cracker crumbs on top of the marshmallows or in the center of the ring of Peeps. Lightly pack the crumbs without "squishing" the marshmallows.
  5. Pour the brown sugar on top of the graham cracker crumbs and lightly pack again.
  6. Finish filling the jar with chocolate chips or seasonal chocolate candies. Lightly pack the ingredients but don't worry if all the candies won't fit.
  7. Put the lid on the jar and embellish with fabric, ribbon, stickers, or paint pens. This is where older children can really express their personalities.
  8. Print or handwrite the recipe below on cardstock, decorate the recipe card as appropriate, and attach to the jar with ribbon.

S'mores in a Jar Recipe

  • If using Peeps: Empty contents of jar into a bowl. Cut Peeps into pieces and mix all ingredients well. Add 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tsp. vanilla to dry ingredients and mix well. Pat lightly into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
  • If using mini-marshmallows: Empty contents of jar into a bowl. Mix all ingredients well. Add 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tsp. vanilla to dry ingredients and mix well. Pat lightly into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

Children from preschool through high school will enjoy making this delicious gift for parents, teachers, coaches, or neighbors. Kids can take pride in doing most of the work themselves and personalizing the gift for any occasion.

The copyright of the article S'mores in a Jar Recipe in Kids Crafts is owned by Barbara Thompson. Permission to republish S'mores in a Jar Recipe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Easter Peeps S'mores in a Jar, Barbara Thompson Easter Peeps S'mores in a Jar
   
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