If you’re on the hunt for cookies that bring a delightful mix of textures and flavors all in one bite, you’ve come to the right place. I’m excited to share my Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe with you because these cookies are just the perfect balance of chewy oats, crunchy nuts, and melty chocolate—and they’re easier to make than you might think! Whether it’s for an afternoon snack, lunchbox surprise, or just a little treat to brighten your day, these cookies will become your go-to in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Texture Blend: These cookies effortlessly marry chewy oats with crunchy nuts and gooey chocolates for a scrumptious bite every time.
- Snack-Time Superstar: They’re just the right size and packed with energy, making them ideal for on-the-go snacking or lunchboxes.
- Easy and Quick to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have a batch ready quicker than you’d think.
- Customizable Goodness: You can swap in your favorite nuts or candies to make the recipe your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe plays a unique role, from the creamy peanut butter to the crunchy almonds and luscious chocolate. Picking quality ingredients will really elevate your cookies, so don’t rush on the nuts or chocolate bits.
- Unsalted butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing and that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Peanut butter: I go with smooth peanut butter because it blends better, but if you’re lucky to love those little peanut pieces, chunky is fine too.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that’s essential for chewy cookies.
- Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness; room temperature is best for smooth mixing.
- Vanilla extract: Classic vanilla brings warmth and depth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Honey: Just a touch to add extra sweetness and tenderness.
- All-purpose flour: The base structure but keep an eye on measuring for soft but sturdy cookies.
- Baking soda and baking powder: These little powerhouses help the cookies rise just right.
- Salt: Essential to balance sweetness and bring out the flavors, don’t skip it!
- Rolled oats: For that signature chew and rustic feel you expect from trail mix goodies.
- Dark chocolate chips: I love the slight bitterness here to contrast the sweetness—go for quality chips if you can.
- M&Ms or candy-coated chocolates: Adds fun colors and extra crunch, great for kids and adults alike.
- Roasted peanuts: Adds crunch and that lovely roasted nuttiness to every bite.
- Chopped almonds: For a slightly different crunch and a bit of sophistication.
Variations
I love that this Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe is so welcoming when it comes to swaps. Feel free to take it as a base and put your spin on it—once you get the hang of the texture and flavors, you can really make it your own!
- Nut-Free Variation: I once swapped the peanuts and almonds for sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, and it was a hit with a friend who’s nut-allergic.
- Dried Fruit Addition: Adding a handful of raisins or chopped dried apricots introduces a lovely little chew and natural sweetness—you’ll get a different but equally tasty cookie.
- White Chocolate Swap: My kids love these with white chocolate chips instead of dark, which makes the cookies sweeter and creamier.
- Vegan Twist: I’ve experimented with vegan butter and a flax egg—while they’re a bit softer, they still hit the spot!
How to Make Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe
Step 1: Creaming the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugar
Start by combining your softened unsalted butter, smooth peanut butter, and light brown sugar in a large bowl. Using a spatula (or a hand mixer if you prefer), cream these ingredients together until the mixture looks like fluffy, wet sand—smooth and a little airy. This step is crucial for lending your cookies that soft, tender texture.
Step 2: Adding the Egg, Vanilla, and Honey
Once your base is creamy, mix in the large egg and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is well incorporated without any streaks of egg. Then stir in the tablespoon of honey, which adds a delicate moisture and sweetness that’s hard to beat.
Step 3: Incorporating Oats and Dry Ingredients
Next, stir in the rolled oats—they bring that wonderful chewiness essential to trail mix cookies. Then sprinkle the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt evenly over the batter. Use your spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients in, being careful not to overmix. You want those leavening agents to be evenly distributed to get the perfect rise.
Step 4: Folding in Trails Mix Goodies
Now for the fun part! Add your dark chocolate chips, M&Ms, roasted peanuts, and chopped almonds, folding them gently but thoroughly into the dough. This way, every cookie you bake gets a little bit of every tasty element.
Step 5: Chilling the Dough
Place a piece of plastic wrap right on the surface of the dough to keep it from drying out, then refrigerate for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven. This chilling step helps the cookies keep their shape and intensifies the flavors—you’ll notice the difference!
Step 6: Scooping and Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1.35-ounce cookie scoop (or a tablespoon if you don’t have one), portion the dough into balls spaced at least 2 inches apart—you don’t want these guys hugging while baking! If you like, press a few extra chocolate chips or candies on top before baking.
Bake for 11-13 minutes until they’re golden on top and the bottoms are nicely browned. Don’t underbake them though—they’ll still feel a bit soft when you take them out, but that’s perfect. Let them cool on the sheet for about three minutes, then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Trust me, patience here is rewarded with cookie magic.
Pro Tips for Making Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature to encourage smooth mixing and avoid grainy dough.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: I discovered this trick after my first batch flattened out too much—chilling the dough helps the cookies keep their perfect round shape and deeper flavor.
- Watch Your Baking Time: You want the edges lightly golden but the centers still soft—that’s the sweet spot that sets as they cool for chewy perfection.
- Use Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and helps your cookies bake evenly without burning on the bottoms.
How to Serve Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these cookies with a few extra chocolate chips or candy-coated chocolates before baking—makes them look extra inviting and adds a little pop of color. If I’m feeling fancy, a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top brings out a more complex flavor punch that pairs beautifully with the sweet.
Side Dishes
These cookies are fantastic on their own but also pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert twist. I’ve even served them alongside a nut butter dip for an extra peanut punch.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or special occasions, I’ve arranged these trail mix cookies stacked in little towers tied with rustic twine or served them in colorful mason jars as party favors. You could also sandwich some peanut butter or Nutella between two cookies for an extra decadent treat that everyone raves about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually stay fresh and chewy for about 4-5 days—which rarely lasts long in my house! Layering them between sheets of parchment paper keeps them from sticking together.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch ahead, I recommend freezing the dough balls on a tray, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, no need to thaw—just add a couple extra minutes to the bake time and enjoy fresh cookies anytime.
Reheating
Leftover cookies warm up beautifully—pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or briefly heat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. They soften right back up without losing their chew, just like fresh out of the oven!
FAQs
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Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth in the Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add little peanut bits throughout the cookie, giving an extra layer of texture. Just be mindful that it might slightly change the dough’s consistency, so mix carefully and see how you like the result.
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What’s the best way to prevent these cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Chilling the dough before baking is key. The butter firms up, which means your cookies hold their shape instead of spreading thin. Also, be sure not to over-mix the dough once you add flour—that can affect texture and spread as well.
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Can I substitute different nuts or candies in this recipe?
Definitely! The fun of this Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe is how customizable it is. Feel free to swap almonds for walnuts, peanuts for cashews, or M&Ms for dried cranberries or other mix-ins you love. Just keep the batch roughly the same size so the texture stays balanced.
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How do I know when the Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts are done baking?
Look for cookies that are golden on top and around the edges, with a nicely browned bottom. The centers should still be slightly soft—they continue to firm up as they cool. Avoid underbaking or the cookies may be too soft and fragile to handle.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe turns out every time. It’s a reliable, tasty, and fun cookie that never fails to satisfy my craving for something sweet and a bit nutty. When I first tried making these, I was surprised at how simple the ingredients came together to create such a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll find this recipe easy to follow and forgiving enough to make your own. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making trail mix cookies a regular treat at home like I do!
Print
Trail Mix Cookies with Chocolate and Nuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Trail Mix Cookies are soft and chewy oat peanut butter cookies loaded with trail mix goodies like M&M’s, chocolate chips, almonds, and peanuts. Sweetened with brown sugar and a touch of honey, these cookies are perfect for snacking or as a delightful treat. The recipe combines a creamy peanut butter base with rolled oats and a variety of mix-ins, then baked until golden and delicious.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 6 tbsp (84g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ⅓ cup (80ml) smooth regular peanut butter
- ⅔ cup (145g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) honey
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (142g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (75g) rolled oats
Mix-Ins
- ½ cup (85g) dark chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup (70g) M&M’s or other candy-coated chocolates, plus extra for topping
- ⅓ cup (45g) roasted peanuts
- ¼ cup (30g) chopped almonds
Instructions
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the soft butter, peanut butter, and light brown sugar. Using a spatula, mix together with the creaming method until the mixture is evenly blended, smooth, and slightly fluffy, resembling fluffy wet sand.
- Add Egg, Vanilla, and Honey: Mix in the large egg and pure vanilla extract until well incorporated, then stir in the honey to combine fully.
- Incorporate Oats and Dry Ingredients: Add the rolled oats to the wet mixture. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the batter, followed by baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Carefully mix the dry ingredients in with the wet using a spatula, folding until mostly combined.
- Fold in Mix-Ins: Add the dark chocolate chips, M&M’s or other candy-coated chocolates, roasted peanuts, and chopped almonds. Fold these ingredients into the batter until they are evenly distributed throughout.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough bowl with plastic wrap placed directly on the dough’s surface and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up while you preheat the oven.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Portion Cookies: Using a 1.35-ounce cookie scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookie mounds at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Press a few extra chocolate chips or candies on top of each cookie for decoration, if desired.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 11-13 minutes until the cookies are evenly golden on top, lightly browned on the edges, and nicely browned on the bottom but still slightly soft in the center. Avoid under-baking to prevent overly soft cookies.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking trays for about 3 minutes before transferring them individually to a wire rack to cool completely and set.
Notes
- Soft and chewy oat peanut butter cookies combined with trail mix goodies like M&M’s, chocolate chips, almonds, and peanuts.
- Sweetened naturally with light brown sugar and honey for a rich flavor.
- Do not under-bake; cookies should be golden and firm on the bottom but slightly soft in the center.
- Feel free to customize by substituting some of the chocolate or candy with raisins or other dried fruits.
- Use parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
