Every year one of my favorite thing to do at Christmas time is make gifts. I love to sew, cut, paste, glue, glitter, bake, & frost! I love to make gifts for friends, family and neighbors. One of my fondest Christmas memories is baking and decorating cookies with my siblings, mom and grandma then taking them to the elderly. I want to give my boys some memories like that! Over the years I have made many homemade gifts and now my oldest helps me make gifts to take and deliver to others.
I’ll be sharing my top 5 favorite homemade gift ideas with you every day this week here at Thrifty NW Mom. I hope there is something for everyone, whether you’re super crafty or not.
Mason Jar Pies-Super easy, even for those who aren’t crafty. All you need is mini mason jars (4 oz.) You could use larger sizes, but preferably something shallow. If you don’t like to cook, you can buy pie crust and pie filling. Simply press the pie crust in the jar, use the ring of the mason jar lid to cut the top of the pie crust, fill with store bought or homemade pie filling. Then you can either bake them at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes until crust is golden brown or freeze with baking instructions for the recipient.
Apple Pie Filling:
- Use one medium to small size apple per jar (smooth bottom apples are the best for baking)
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon flour
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Other Filling Ideas:
- Bake cupcakes in the small mason jars, then top with frosting once baked and cooled
- Bake brownies in the jars
- Make a savory pie like pot pie or shepherd’s pie
Where to Find The Mini Mason Jars:
You can find a dozen jars at Winco for around $8 or Walmart for around $9. You could also look at your local Goodwill, Value Village or other thrift store & possibly find them as low as $.25-$.50/ea, but then you will need to purchase new lids for around $3/dozen.
So many endless possibilities! Super cute & pretty simple to make! And best of all – this is quite the frugal gift!
Have you ever made Mason Jar Pies….what type of filling did you use with your jars?
*If you have a fun, thrifty homemade gift idea & would love to share with all the readers at Thrifty NW Mom, send me an email at thriftynwmom (at) hotmail (dot) com. I’d love to feature more readers’ ideas!
By TNWM Contributor Sarah from Chickie Momma Crafts
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OMGosh, how totally adorable!!!
That’s a cute gift idea! I have never seen the pies done before.
I love those. Can you please bring me one? ! ;)
I love the idea, but are you cooking them for the recipient or delivering it for them to bake?
Boy, I think these are easy enough that even I could make these, Abby (total non-baker here)! So, you never know – maybe I will bring you one someday. :)
Abby – I think she typically cooks them, but she mentioned that you could also freeze them & give them to the recipient uncooked with baking instructions.
I love it! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks Jen and Sarah!
help. really…REALLY a non-baker here. do i have to bake the crust BEFORE filling and bake again? or just bake once? thanks!
You would bake the crust after you put everything in Alison! Otherwise it won’t go in as nicely. :)
Okay, a couple of “stupid” questions –
1. What is a smooth bottom apple?
2. What would the directions be if you were going to freeze?
Love, love, love this!
One last question – how well do the pies freeze in the glass mason jars? I would think the jars might break easily.
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