Delicious Sweets in a Jar & a GIVEAWAY!

Happy Friday Foodies! I’m so thankful that the weekend is here. I will be able to relax with my Panda Bear; it’s been quite the week for me. I am pretty happy that we are not traveling anywhere this weekend. Since the middle of June either one or both of us has spent every weekend away from our house and on the road; I, for one, am over it. While I love to travel, the lumbar system in our car does not play nicely with my back and is always making me uncomfortable. Now, I know that probably did not contribute to my recent kidney ailment, but being so uncomfortable in the car does not make life any better. I am just thankful our little family will be chowing down on Thai food this weekend and relaxing with each other.

It will be a pretty awesome weekend together. Besides eating well and spending time with each other, our new television is being delivered today. I am super excited, so is Nick. That’ll be a great project for today. Not many people may get so excited about a television, but it is pretty hard not to. This is the granddaddy of all televisions; minus the 3D capability, which Nick wanted. Thank GOD for Nick’s dad talking him out of getting a 3D television. Much like all of our smart phones, this television is a Smart TV. While I don’t think it can make dinner for us, it does pretty much everything else. I cannot wait to get it hooked up to use!

Okay, now that you all know what my life looks like this weekend, I have a specially modified version of Kid Friendly Friday for you today. First, let’s get down to the fun activity I have for the kiddos in your house. All summer I have tried to give you recipes that would allow your mini-sous chefs get down and dirty working in the kitchen with you; but today I have something that is less cooking and more preparing. I had fun, so I hope most kids would have fun making these. Are you ready?? Today I present to you Sweet Treats in a Jar. So many times during my life I have received one of these little guys or have seen them in the stores waiting to be purchased; but I have never made one.

That is until recently.

Today I have two awesome flavors for you: S’mores in a Jar & The Ultimate Chocolate Brownies in a Jar.

Here is what you will need & how to layer the ingredients for the S’mores:

• 1 to 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 to 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 to 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• Add the layers in that order, close the jar & store until you’re ready to use, or give to your favorite people!
• Find the 'How To Cook" here. 

Here is what you will need for the Brownies:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup vanilla sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa power
• Chocolate chips
• Layer the ingredients in the order listed above, seal & store… or give to your favorite friends!
• Find the 'How to Cook' Here

I had a lot of fun making these jars for the first time this week! I bet you’re all wondering if I am going to keep these bad boy jars to myself? Well, ordinarily I would not want to share chocolate, but I have some amazing people that I would share with every day of the week if I could. Do you want to know who those people are? Dum, dum, dummmmmm…

Are you ready yet?? I cannot hear youuuuu!!!

Those people are YOU!!! Yep, you! I want to share my little jars of chocolaty heaven with you. That brings me to a very special announcement!

I am HAVING A GIVEAWAY!!  

I know it has been a couple of weeks coming, but life has been pretty chaotic and most recently painful. With the help of all of you wonderful people, I hit 1000 followers a couple of weeks ago. I promised a giveaway then and I am finally posing it! One lucky person will walk away with the following:

• 1 S'mores in a jar
• 1 Ultimate Chocolate Brownies in a Jar
• 1 Cutsy Apron 

Now, I am not going to make it hard to enter this Giveaway. However, I do have a couple of requirements. Here they come:

1. First, this Giveaway is open to only those people in the United States. [Don’t worry, I’m working on opening up my next one to all of my lovelies everywhere else]
2. Second, you must be at least 18 years old to enter. [I do not want somebody’s parents thinking I’m sending their kids candy. Seriously, candy in a box from a stranger? Oh boy!]
3. Third, you must follow me as yourself [meaning, if you follow me as a page, you must also follow me from your personal account] on facebook telling me you did so. If you already do, just tell me your name in the comment section below.
4. Fourth, you must leave a comment below. Make sure your name here is the same as your name is on facebook.
5. Finally, when you leave a comment below, include a recipe of mine that looks appealing to you!

See, it is SUPER easy! This giveaway will remain open until next Friday, August 19 at midnight EST. I will announce the winner by Monday, August 22.

Good Luck to you all!! 

Until Next Time,

Happy Creating!

Comments

[mary fanara coleman]

Hi I already follow you on fb........

[Ann from Sumptous Spoonfuls]

My daughter and I have made these for Christmas presents and she had SO much fun doing it! Awesome idea and thanks for sharing! We have done some soup ones too ... and dip and drink mixes for stocking stuffers.

[mary fanara coleman]

Wow...cool giveaway. Would love to win especially the apron. I wear one daily.

[Cooking With Mel]

Hey guys, remember to include a recipe of mine that you find appealing. You cannot qualify unless you hit all three requirements!! :)

[sensiblecooking]

Giveaway I am up for that. I already am your fan :) . Your recently published recipe Middle Eastern - Style Chicken Pita Sandwiches is mu favorite or appealing.

[BreAna Alexander]

What a fun idea for mixes in a jar...they would be great and easy gifts! Do you have the baking instructions for them too (I am not seeing them on the post) and are there additional ingredients that need to be added before cooking?

What a fun giveaway! I am a follower on Facebook! I think a lot of your recipes look great! However, the one that stood out this morning is the Chicken Cordon Bleu. Definitely going to be making it next week!! :)

[Cooking With Mel]

BreAna - I'll add the ingredients & baking instructions in a note on my page!! :)

[DANIELLE]

I FOLLOW U FROM MY PAGES (HUGS & COOKIES XOXO) AND AS MYSELF AND THE PB BROWNIES ON YOUR PAGE LOOK DELISH!!! OF COURSE, SO DO THESE JARS! THANKS 4 THE OPPORTUNITY!

[cory paton campion hill]

Hi, I have been following you on FB for quite a while. Love your recipes but think your Peanut Butter Brownies is the one I am going to try. Would love to be the winner of your giveaway. Thanks for the chance.....

[Angela K. Popp]

You already know I am a HUGE fan of yours and I am darn happy to be one of your more than 1000 followers on Facebook. Honestly almost every single one of your recipes look amazing to me, buttttttt I am going to choose your cucumber salad that you posted as the one I think sounds GREAT and I have on my shopping list for next week to make:) I hope I win the goodies you are giving away, but I am already a winner for finding your site and all your wonderful recipes. Thanks so much Mel for posting this giveaway:)

[Laura Janelli]

I follow you already! Great giveaway!

Chef Laura at Home
www.facebook.com/cheflauraathome

P.S Congrats on hitting 1000! :D

[Christina 'Schmitt' Trimmer]

I have requested you as an INDIVIDUAL so I can enter the give-a-way. My favorite receipe of yours is Peanut Butter Brownies!!

[Leesa Powell Silvers]

I definitely follow you on facebook! I have custody of my 4 and 6 year old granddaughters. We are getting ready to make your Peanut Butter Brownies right now! The 6 yr old insists we do your Simple Buttermilk Pancakes in the morning! She loves cooking with me! Thanks for your awesome recipes and a chance to win the giveaway!

[Laura Janelli]

I love your recipe for multi-colored cupcakes!

Chef Laura at Home :D

[Isabelle at home]

1. I live in lovely INDIANA! yeah me!
2. I am 41 year old...less yeah me! 42 in a month :(
3. I follow you as Isabelle Rochon Vorhies (and my page Isabelle at home...but you know that!)
4. My name is the same....not original but it's the same
5. I make your eggies in a hole at least 2-3 times a week since I first "met" you. I also love your Cheeseburger Stuffed Bread Sticks...I have yet to make them but I just love the idea and they look mighty tasty!
:) Take good care of yourself my sweet Mel, I hope you have a relaxing and "homey" weekend with your man! Hugs and sending you lots and lots of <3

[Kara Ruffalo]

1. Born, raised, and still in PA!
2. I am 10 years over 18
3. Yup I follow you ask Kara Ruffalo :-)
4. My husband likes when he sees your page up. That means something new and different for dinner!
5. Guess what I'm making for dinner tonight?? Strombolis and Calzones using your Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe!!!

[sandra pedersen flemming]

I love your page and I love your recipes!!chocolate peanut butter brownies yummmmmm!!!!!

[sarah @ pao e queijo]

I'm dying to try making sweets in a jar! Also, the Oreo cupcakes and garlic knots look delicious :)

[sarah @ pao e queijo]

I like "Cooking with Mel" on Fb. My username is Sarah E. Pardee

[Christina Furister]

Hi Missy!!! I follow you on facebook and here! (o: Aaron and I have tried several of your recipes and every time Aaron's tummy is mighty pleased! Thanks because without your awesome recipes I'd be lost in the kitchen! (o: I'm 28, so definitely over 18. (o: So two new recipes I'm excited to try, this weekend actually, the Apple Pie Bars and the Chocolate Caramel cookies. (o: Can't wait to taste test them both out! However, our favorite Cooking with Mel recipe would have to be the Chicken Empanadas. Both Aaron and I love Mexican food and would probably eat it everyday if we could. We're always on the lookout for a great new Mexican dish to try at home, so when you posted this recipe, we jumped on it. Now we've made them several times! (o:

[basilmomma]

I am following from BOTH pages on facebook, following on twitter, and what else was it...? I don't remember. But I am following you, loving your site from afar and so happy to have met you (online ;) !!
I am going to repost this on my FB wall!

Oh, I love, LOVE your chicken and waffles recipe as well as your buttermilk pancakes! I have made both :)

[Marian Casse]

lets see I follow you on facebook as myself Marian Casse...I loved your multi colored cupcakes...but have made your jello cupcakes..and they turned out yummy if you ask me.....the peanut butter brownies are next tho...Lovely gifts for a giveaway..the apron is super cute..enjoy your weekend.

[Deb Wilkie]

1. Beautiful Upstate NY here!
2. I'm about to celebrate the 35th anniversary of my 18th birthday!!
3. I follow you on Facebook as Debbie McClary Wilkie.
4. S'mores in a jar sound FABulous, since my campfire days are LONG over!!!
5. Last, but not least, your chicken pitas sounds delish! I'm in the middle of a move so haven't cooked anything worth talking about in a couple of weeks, but after the next couple of weeks, I hope to get back into my kitchen and make up for lost time, and those are definitely on my list!!

Thanks for all you do!!

[Wendy K Duncan]

I have followed and commented on your post. I love s'mores. The idea of in a jar is awesome! I live in Arkansas. And garlic knots are great! And my name is....Wendy K Duncan! Wish you lots of luck choosing the winner. Good luck all! :)

[Susan Kieffer Waclawski]

I follow you on FB. But I find myself on your blog frequently. It's nice to know my life isn't the only crazy one out there.
I really hope to win the giveaway, but feel like I am already a winner for finding some of the best recipes!