The question:
Dear Chef Mom: A teacher at our local school received a gift for brownies in a one quart jar. The ingredients were layered to look like sand art, and cocoa was used instead of squares. I'd like to know how I can do this. Can you help? - JoAnn R. in Towson, Maryland

Chef Mom says:
We've had several requests for the secret to this layered mix, which makes a great gift for anyone on your holiday list. Prepared in batches, it's easy to make several at once -- and no special ingredients or materials are required.

For the recipe, we talked to Brenda Hyde from OldFashionedHolidays.com, and she told us how she creates her sand-art brownies. (This particular recipe makes 12 batches.)

Give great gifts! Take a look at Williams-Sonoma's Gifts from the Kitchen

Note: You can also break up white chocolate into tiny chunks in place of chips

Layer these ingredients in a quart jar in the order given, leveling each one as you add it. Start at the bottom of each jar and add:

3/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup plus 1/8 cup All-purpose Flour
1/3 cup Cocoa
1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
2/3 cup Brown Sugar
2/3 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Vanilla Chips
1/2 cup Chopped Nuts (the top layer)

Brenda notes that you need to make sure the jar is full to the very top, in order to maintain the "sand art" appearance. Then, for a festive touch, cover the lid with a 7-1/2-inch circle of fabric tied with ribbon or raffia. Finish with a tag that lists the required liquid ingredients and notes baking instructions (below).

To prepare your brownies: In a large mixing bowl, combine the contents of this jar with 3 well-beaten eggs, 2/3 cup vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Pour batter into a well-greased 9x13-inch cake pan and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool and cut into squares!

These jar mixes are almost as much fun to make as they are to give. They look impressive, too!