Dilly Dip Mix From: Quick Gifts From the Kitchen--No Cooking Required

1/4 cup dried dill weed
1/4 cup dried parsley flakes
1/4 cup dried minced onion
2 tablespoons seasoned salt

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients until well blended. Divide into 9 tiny plastic bags—each one containing 1-1/2 tablespoons of dip mix. If you can’t find tiny bags, wrap each portion of mix in a double layer of plastic wrap.

Gift giving idea: Place each bag of mix inside the bowl of a wooden spoon. Using pinking shears, cut a 10” square of fabric and wrap it around the spoon bowl and dip mix bag. Gather fabric around neck of spoon and tie with ribbon or raffia. Attach cooking instruction tag. These make great party favors for a Kitchen Bridal Shower.

To Prepare: In a small bowl, combine half a cup of mayonnaise and half a cup of sour cream with 1-1/2 tablespoons dill mix. Stir until well blended and chill two hours before serving.

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German Chocolate Cake Mix in a Jar From: Quick Gifts From the Kitchen

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar, gently packed

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1/2 cup sweetened, flaked coconut, gently packed

Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Pour flour mixture into a 1-quart wide-mouth canning jar. Tap jar gently on lightly padded surface on the counter to settle. Add cocoa and then granulated sugar, tapping jar gently on the counter after each layer to settle. Sprinkle brown sugar over granulated sugar and press down gently to pack. Add chocolate chips and then pecans, tapping jar gently after each layer to settle. Place coconut over pecans and press down gently to pack. Add the lid. Decorate jar lid with a fabric circle as described on page 59 and attach cooking instruction tag.

Cooking Instructions: Preheat oven to 350°. Empty contents of jar into a large bowl and stir to blend. In a separate bowl, blend 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 3/4 cup milk. Add egg mixture to cake mix and stir just until moistened. Pour batter into a greased 9” square baking pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until done. Cool in pan and cut into squares to serve.

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Chocolate-Cinnamon Popcorn Spice Mix From Quick Gifts From the Kitchen

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, chilled and finely ground in a food processor

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients until well blended. Recipe makes about 3/4 cup of mix. Place mix in a small glass canister with an airtight, hinged lid or in a decorative tin. Attach cooking instruction tag.

To Prepare: Melt 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons spice mix. Pour over 3 cups of popped corn. Stir well.

Gift basket idea: Place a jar of spice mix in a large popcorn bowl that is filled with colorful paper shred, along with several bags of microwaveable popcorn.

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