Cookies in a can

This DIY will show you how a simple can can be a funny way to make a gift !  And besides being a funny gift it’s easy, economical and eco-friendly ! What more could anyone ask for ?

Step 1:

Firstly pick a can, the size of your choice.
Here I chose a rather big model, but nothing prevents us from imagining to choose a smaller one to put delicious chocolate truffles in, or then a huge one and hide in it a beautiful hand-made scarf !
So, let’s start our work ! Put your can upside down, the pull tab downward.

Comments

[AmyLuthien]

My sister has one of those OXO Smooth Edge can openers that would be perfect for this. That can opener cuts the lid off in such a way that you can just press the top back on the can to use it as a lid. It's a pretty snug fit too.

[asidfree]

Love it! We decided we were going to be making all our gifts this time of year, and this seems like it would be a really fun Christmas gift. Especially with some printed designer labels!



For the food safety concerned:

1. I'm not sure how possible it is to re-seal a can for long term storage after you've opened it. I definitely think the intent was to have fun gift wrap for cookies. (And fun it is!)
   
2. You can get food safe epoxy. The FDA rates Tightbond III as safe for indirect food contact. People use it for gluing cutting boards.
   
3. If you're concerned about the safety of tissue paper, you could purchase some decorative napkins. You might be hard pressed to find safety specs for napkins, but I doubt they would sell non-food safe napkins.

[ed.alexander]

For all the glue controversy (I don't think the intent is to seal this for long term storage..)
- Perhaps magnets could be used to hold it closed.
- Or some cans (like coffee cans) have a plastic lid for resealing, use that for the bottom (then you use the traditional can opener)
- Or keep this method and place the food in a ziploc bag inside, and add teh tissue paper for presentation.

[compgeek86]

what about baking a pineapple upside down cake in the can with the bottom off, then it's serving side up when opened

[mgallant]

I think that glue has the potential to be an unsafe way of resealing containers for food. Otherwise, great ideas!

[bylorena]

Beautiful and great idea, thanks for sharing! I was thinking to include a personalized messages inside the cans.... It looks I need to get a better can cutter, mine is Spanish style, it's manual....

[lkoenig1]

OMG!!! this is perfect "gift wrap" for my family's annual grab bag gift exchange!!! don't know what i'll put in it yet, but it's gonna be fun!

[sunshiine]

Very clever! I go to a Christmas party every year and we are asked to bring a gag gift. This is perfect. Thanks for sharing.
sunshiine

[Flyinseamnky]

Ditto, I would have to leave the original label on the can to mess with this even more though. Although the idea of a mystery can on the clearance rack is pretty good too. Is it peaches, or dog food? Maybe put a couple of dents in the side of the can too. LOL

[sunshiine]

LOL

[jimdkc]

Nice Instructable! You could also make can labels out of holiday wrapping paper or by printing your own designs with your computer!

[maltesergr8]

Great idea!! Thanks for sharing ;)

[tedgar]

have you tried this .. and had them sit for a few days.. does the tolulene evaporating from the glue end up as a flavor in the cookies???

[chabias]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

[TexSon]

Cool idea, and opening the bottom is great way to keep the top lid, especially a pull tab type, intact.

[CODIY]

This is a great idea. I think I may have to give it a try this xmas. I was also thinking that using a smooth edge can opener like OXO makes might make it easier. If I get around to doing this, I will report back.

smooth edge can opener:
http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-Smooth-Opener/dp/B000079XW2/ref=sr_1_12?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1323016597&sr=1-12

[janbeee2]

CODIY, that's the kind of can opener used. I don't think a regular can opener *would* work.

[Batsu]

A question: is superglue a safe option here? I understand putting a layer of tissue paper over them, but not all tissue paper is food safe/colour fast. I would recommend opening the can from the bottom, placing cookies in that way and keeping the top intact, so potential hazards are minimised.

[Mig Welder]

Wonderful!

[NaTeB1]

Great idea and very nice instructable! I love the way you write too, reminds me of Russian user manuals translated to English. Not in a bad way, please don't take that the wrong way... :)

[gaprilday]

If you have, or can at least borrow for the day, a can opener by Pampered Chef, (I only know that they make this, I am sure others do too), the lid will come off with no sharp edges. In fact, it doesn't look like it has been taken off at all, it sort of lifts off and putting it back on would be soooo much easier. I was planning to send cookies for Christmas, and now I have an awesome way to do it. Our family loves to put things in a container they did not come in. You might have children make a 'Christmas Label' for these - awesome teacher idea too. Thanks for the instructible. aprilday

[fleurdejava]

Très bonne idée, Floriane. Je note tout de suite pour mes cadeaux de Noel!
Bises

[whisperonthewind]

You could use a slightly smaller can to cut out round cookies - even chocolate chip cookies! - which will expand to fit the can. You may have to try several different can sizes, but you can find something to do with the ones that may be too large or too small. Or you could use a prescription tube to make really small cookies to put in the can. Hmmm. Now I think I'll go test out those cookies, so I'll know what size can to use.

[Max_Radius]

Brilliant.
As it happens, I always open pull-tab cans from the bottom with this type of opener.

[one-lightbulb]

Great idea! I will try it next week.

[binaspencer7]

awesome

[OrganizationAccessories]

I love this kind of home made custom gift. It sounds like the perfect gift for a teacher.

[turbobug]

That's cool! I can predict some holiday jokes in the making.