Homemade Muffin Mix (Easy Mason Jar Gift)

There’s something so charming about gifting a homemade mix in a jar, especially when it’s something people can bake fresh in their own kitchen. This Homemade Muffin Mix is one of my favorite edible gifts because it feels thoughtful, practical, and personal, all without requiring much time. Every year I end up making several batches for friends, teachers, neighbors, and family, and it’s always one of the most requested ideas from the Gift Guide You Can Make.

What I love about this mix is how beautifully it layers in a clear jar. The oat flour, almond flour, coconut sugar, and cinnamon create the prettiest, natural-toned stripes, and once you add a little ribbon and a handwritten tag, it looks like something you’d find at a boutique winter market. The best part? When the recipient goes to bake it, all they need to do is whisk in a few simple ingredients to make soft, tender, bakery-style muffins that feel homemade without the work.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Muffin Mix

• It’s a gift people actually use. Muffins work for breakfast, snacks, lunchboxes—everyone loves them.
• So easy to assemble. Each jar takes about 5 minutes and uses pantry ingredients.
• Beautiful presentation. Layers create a clean, natural, bakery-style look.
• Customizable. Add chocolate chips, freeze-dried berries, or spices.
• Refined-sugar-free. Made with coconut sugar for a warm, caramel-like flavor.
• Makes a full dozen muffins. A practical, generous homemade gift without extra cost.

Ingredients

Dry ingredients inside the jar:

• 1 ½ cups oat flour
• ½ cup almond flour
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Optional: 1/4 cup chocolate chips. (white or dark or both honestly) or freeze-dried berries

Wet ingredients the recipient adds:

• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup melted butter or coconut oil
• 1/3 cup milk of choice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Ingredient Swaps

• No oat flour ? Use all-purpose flour or 1:1 gluten-free flour.
• No almond flour ? Swap for ½ cup more oat flour (texture will be slightly less tender).
• Dairy-free ? Use coconut milk powder in the jar and melted coconut oil + almond milk when baking.
• No coconut sugar ? Use maple sugar for a lighter, slightly sweeter flavor.
• Want more protein? ? Replace ¼ cup oat flour with vanilla protein powder.
• Prefer chocolate? ? Add ¼ cup mini chocolate chips to the jar.
• Prefer fruit? ? Use freeze-dried blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries.

Equipment Needed

32 oz mason jar: Wide-mouth jars make layering easier and create a cleaner presentation.

Dry funnel: Prevents flour dust from coating the inside of the jar.

Spoon or butter knife: Helpful for leveling layers and wiping any stray powder from the walls.

Small bowl: For combining baking powder, salt, and cinnamon into one “clean” stripe.

Ribbon or twine: Adds a pretty finishing touch.

Labels or gift tags: Personalize with baking instructions.

How to Make Homemade Muffin Mix

Step 1: Start with the coconut sugar

Add the coconut sugar to the bottom of the jar first, followed by the powdered milk, then the cocoa powder. This order creates clean, heavy layers.

Step 2: Add the oat flour

Pour slowly and level it gently without shaking the jar too hard—this keeps the layers crisp.

Step 3: Add the almond flour

Spoon it in so it doesn’t puff or drift into the other layers. Almond flour is lighter, so go slow.

Step 4: Mix your baking essentials

Stir the baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a small bowl. Adding them as one combined layer keeps the jar from looking spotty or uneven.

Step 5: Top with optional add-ins

Freeze-dried berries give a pop of color. Chocolate chips give it a baked-good look.
This is the layer that makes the jar feel “finished.”

Step 6: Seal and label

Make sure the jar is dry before sealing so no moisture gets trapped inside. Add your instructions tag.

Jar Layering Instructions

• Use a dry jar to avoid clumping.
• Tap gently between layers—not too hard or the ingredients will blend.
• Wipe the inside of the jar with a dry towel if any powder sticks.
• Keep the jar upright once layered so the stripes stay defined.
• Leave headspace at the top for presentation—it looks intentional, not overfilled.

This little bit of extra care makes the jar look high-end and gift-ready.

How to Bake the Muffins (For the Gift Tags)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Dump the entire jar into a bowl and whisk well to break up any clumps.
3. Add:
   • 2 eggs
   • 1/3 cup melted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
   • 1/3 cup milk
   • 1 tsp vanilla
4. Stir until just combined. Batter should be thick but scoopable.
5. Scoop into a lined muffin tin.
6. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until domed and lightly golden.

These muffins are soft, tender, and smell so good on a weekend morning!

Storage & Shelf Life

• Stays fresh for 6 months in a sealed jar.
• Best kept in a cool, dry pantry away from sunlight.
• Freeze-dried fruit keeps texture best and won’t soften over time.
• If adding chocolate chips, store away from heat so they don’t soften or bloom.
• Once baked, muffins last 4–5 days or freeze beautifully for up to 2 months.

Troubleshooting

Muffins are dense -> Batter was overmixed or almond flour was packed. Stir gently and spoon flour lightly.

Muffins spread too much -> Check that baking powder is fresh. Old baking powder loses lift.

Jar layers blended while assembling -> Add ingredients slowly and tap the jar between each layer.

Muffins too dry -> Add an extra tablespoon of milk or a splash of oil next time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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