Cookie Jars

Polish pottery cookie jar guide

Size and what fits

The jar holds 6 quarts, about 24 cups. That is two to three dozen large cookies stacked loosely, a 5 lb bag of flour with room for a scoop, or a 2 lb bag of coffee twice over. It is the largest canister Boleslawiec makes; if you want a matching smaller jar for sugar or tea, the 4.2-cup and 6.4-cup sizes in the same straight-sided shape are in our canisters category.

The lid

The lid is stoneware, glazed to match, and sits in a recessed rim rather than on a rubber gasket. It keeps dust and pets out and slows cookies going stale, but it is not an airtight vacuum seal; for crisp cookies over more than a few days, add a food-safe desiccant pack or a slice of bread for soft ones. The lid is a separate piece, so if one breaks we can usually sell a replacement in the same pattern.

Care

Dishwasher safe, including the lid. The glaze is non-porous, so it does not take on smells from coffee or spices. If you use it as a serving crock, it is oven safe to 480°F; put it in a cold oven and let it warm with the oven, and never move it from fridge to hot oven.

Choosing a pattern

Traditional stamped patterns like Peacock 56, Blue Diamond Dream 217a and Floral Peacock 166a are the lowest priced and easiest to match later. Unikat patterns (Garden Meadow 296ar, Floral Garden 312ar, Poppies 150ar, Regal Bouquet 148ar, Floral Butterfly 149ar) are signed hand-painted designs that cost more because they take an artist several times longer to decorate. Every pattern here is also made on plates, bowls and mugs.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Polish pottery cookie jar?

6 quarts, or about 24 cups. It holds two to three dozen large cookies or a 5 lb bag of flour.

Is the cookie jar airtight?

No. The stoneware lid sits in a recessed rim and keeps dust and pets out, but it is not a gasket seal. Cookies stay fresh for several days; for longer storage add a desiccant pack.

Is this the same as your extra large canister?

Yes. The cookie jar is Boleslawiec shape 1101, the 6-quart extra large canister. We list it here because most people searching for a cookie jar want this size, and in the canisters category alongside the smaller sizes and sets.

Is the cookie jar dishwasher and oven safe?

Yes to both. Jar and lid go in the dishwasher, and the stoneware is oven safe to 480°F when started in a cold oven, so it can serve baked beans or a dip straight from the oven.