What is it about food in a jar that makes it so much more fun, appealing, and cute? I’m a sucker for mixes in jars, salads in jars, anything in jars, really. The food tastes better simply because it made its home in a jar. And that’s a fact.
I’ve had my eye on this oatmeal chocolate chip quick bread for a while now but it took a bit to post because it required some pretty major tweaking in order to fit the dry ingredients into a standard sized quart jar and modify the rest of the recipe accordingly. Because the original source didn’t offer a printable label, I took the liberty of using the design on their bottle to create labels you can print and use yourself.
While the resulting bread may not be the prettiest quick bread on the planet, it does manage to be hearty and slightly dense with a wonderful oatmeal texture and flavor. Perfect for snacking or for a quick breakfast (with a smoothie!), the bread on it’s own is yummy…but layer the dry ingredients in a jar with a cute label? Well, you’ve got a whole different loveable animal. I made a few of these jars to keep in my own pantry just so I can pull them out, admire the cuteness, pour into a bowl and make the bread. Never mind the fact that I could just follow the basic recipe and make the bread without piling ingredients in a jar first. I like the jar thing, ok? Plus, the dry mix in the jar keeps for 2-3 months at cool room temperature and if you can manage to part with it, makes a delightful gift for friends and neighbors.
The labels I used for my jars can be downloaded HERE as a .pdf file. I printed them out on a tan/light brown cardstock which lent a nice earthy appeal to the jar and recipe – you could also use Kraft paper or any other type/color of cardstock, really. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup oats, quick or rolled
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, optional
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup lowfat buttermilk
Directions
- To make and bake the bread, in a large bowl whisk together the flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, salt, walnuts, and chocolate chips. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg and melted butter. Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula just until evenly moistened; the batter will be lumpy.
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9X5-inch loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F until a knife or toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes.
- To assemble the bread in a jar for a gift, layer the dry ingredients in the order listed into a quart-sized jar, packing down each layer (or lightly tapping the jar on the counter to help the ingredients settle). Start with the flour and layer the ingredients through the chocolate chips. Attach labels (located here to download) to the front and back of the jar. The mix will keep for 2-3 months at cool room temperature.
Recipe Source: adapted from Sunset, labels created by me, inspired by the picture from the Sunset jar
What a sweet idea! I love giving cookie and brownie mixes in jars! They make great teacher gifts, and are always well received. This is great, Mel, and the printable label is so cute! Do you just glue it on with regular glue (like Elmer’s)? Thanks!
Mel, the recipe sounds wonderful! Your recipe calls for 2 T. melted butter but on the printable label it calls for 3 T. melted butter. Which is correct? Thanks!
Kim – I used double sided tape just in the event the recipient wanted to reuse the jar (the tape peels off pretty easily).
Connie – thanks for noticing the error! I’ve fixed the recipe (the correct amount is 3 tablespoons).
These labels are adorable! and the bread looks delish
Great
thankx alot
Cute !
Quick breads are amazing!
This is adorable!!
Love this kind I stuff! My visiting teacher brought me cherry cheesecake in a jar a while ago. It was so delicious! Had to be the jar, right!
This is great! I think it would make a great hostess gift!
Such a cute gift idea – I especially love the label. Plus, it’s chocolate chip quick bread – what’s not to like?
Have you considered making a recipe book? I would totally buy it! Your recipes are always amazing! Thanks!
Great gift idea! I think I’ll use it as a teacher gift this year — though it’s a close call between this and a Snuggie. (Oh, you don’t know me — that was a joke. Though I love my leopard-print Snuggie!)
I totally get the jar thing, definately for admiring in the pantry, but its the best when your so tired and on auto pilot to cook something for lunch boxes for hubbies and kiddies morning teas. I love the pour and bake option.
Made this yesterday and substituted 3 Tbs canola oil for the butter. Delicious!!
I made a double batch a few days ago because I needed to use up some buttermilk. I really liked it! I used whole wheat pastry flour for the a/p flour — it may have needed something to give it a little more lift because of that switch. Thanks for the great recipe – I will make again!
Put together six jars as teacher gifts (you can imagine the flour storm in my kitchen!) and baked a double batch for my Bible study group. Everyone loved it! Thanks for a fun recipe!
[...] Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quick Bread {In a Jar!}6 days ago … What is it about food in a jar that makes it so much more fun, appealing, and cute ? I’m a sucker for mixes in jars, salads in jars, anything in jars, … [...]
Hi Mel, Know this month has flown by with Miss Camryn in the house:)! She is such a beautiful baby – love that head of hair. Had one that looked just like her – 45 years ago and she is still beautiful. Congratulations on all of your wonderful family. God has truly blessed you.
I am in the process of filling jars with Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bread mix and after looking at your jar once again, just want to know where you got the plain jar that you used. I plan to use this recipe often for shut-in visits, etc. Just like the plain look and label will stick better than a Mason jar. Thanks and enjoy that sweet family – they grow up so quickly. ~ M. Pate
[...] from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe created this fantastic Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quick Bread in a jar, complete with an adorable printable. How cute are these for neighbor gifts this [...]
thanks for this, i saw the original but love the printable so will definitely do this for my boys to give as gifts, thank you!
Hi Mel!!! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity!!
Was planning on doing this gift idea for xmas however I’m having trouble downloading your label (which I absolutely love!!!). Are you able to email me a copy please!!
Hi Vienna – sadly, this file is on my backup hard drive which is currently in storage so the only way I have to access it is the link on this page. What’s happening when you try to download it?
Hi Mel!
The link seems to be working fine now! Thanks so much for
your quick response! I’m so excited to attempt to make this!
Sorry about the hassle and Thanks again!
So when doing this do I need to vacuum seal the lids? If I do how do I do it? Im new to this
Krystal – no need to seal the lid. Just tighten it on the jar and it will be fine. These aren’t “canned” – the ingredients are just being stored in the jar at room temperature.
You are my life saver! I was just about to buy all the stuff to make the sunset quickbread and I would have had quite the dilemma trying to fit it into the jar using the original recipe. And you saved me from making a label. Thank you!
[...] to run to Sam’s Club and buy gigantic quantities of ingredients to make all the women these bread-in-a-jar things. Am I supposed to gift the buttermilk too? My gut says no. I don’t know how these [...]
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