Cranberry Nut Trail Mix Cookies
A little over a year ago I wrote about some chewy trail mix cookies, the patter of rain all around me and my unbating need to watch old movies and hide under big blankets while storms roll by. Not much has changed in that time, at least not when it comes to my love for rainy days. They slow me down, calm my incessant craving for work and best of all they make sit and stare out windows.
So today I’m going to stare out a window and snack on these cookies. I’m going to focus on the feeling of my favorite blanket pressed against my skin. I may close my eyes so I can listen to the delicate tapping of a light rain storm. And I might even let myself take a nap.
The thought to change out of pajamas will never cross my mind. The sink, half full with dishes, will just have to wait. Thoughts of work and tasks and obligations and more will disappear into a blissful nothingness. Instead I will worry about my favorite characters and whether or not they will get back together in the end. I will fret about being too hot with the blanket on and too cold with my blanket off.
And I will eat cookies.
NEWS: It is with great excitement that I introduce to you my newest venture: The Sweet Tooth Paper Goods Company. I’ve been working on this for 6 months now and it is finally open to the public! As some of you may know, I’ve been selling my Kitchen posters for a while now right here on Chasing Delicious. Well, I’ve out grown that format and so I’ve decided to start an online store! Not only will I be selling all the Kitchen 101 posters there, but I’ll be selling fun posters, prints from some of my favorite food photographers (in fact I’ve already got some gorgeous prints from Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food up already), t-shirts and more!
My favorite part might have to be the redesigned Kitchen 101 posters. They are now available in 6 new and fun colors! And don’t worry. Y’all’s favorites, the seasonal produce and meat cuts posters are still available!
Yep. That’s right. I’ve pretty much created a store for all us foodie obsessed people. So go check it out! In fact, because I’m so excited, I’ve decided to give everyone 10% off on everything! Just use the coupon code “GRANDOPENING” in the checkout.
Trail Mix Cookies: While this cookie has many ingredients, it is very easy to make. And the best part? This cookie is ridiculously customizable. So long as you keep the weight or volume of all the extras the same–more on this in a moment–, any adjustments will not require any changes to the preparation or baking time. So if you don’t like candied pecans, you can substitute them with good ‘ole regular pecans… or cashews… or dried cranberries. The possibilities with this cookie are endless and just about every time I bake them, I try a different variation. This variation I’m sharing now is my favorite though. I definitely suggest starting with this recipe below.
This recipe makes a lot of large cookies (we’re talking on the order of 4-5 dozen). You can easily half this recipe but trail mix cookies like this tend to keep quite a while – up to a full week stored in an airtight container at room temperature. That’s why these make for perfect treats to ship around the country to your friends.
Trail Mix Cookies a
y 4 dozen large cookies
d Easyt 25 minutes
o Tools:
Lined cookie sheets
Stand mixer with hook attachment
Cooling racki Ingredients:
8 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature
6 ounces brown sugar
6 ounces granulated sugar
2 ounces maple syrup
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspon vanilla extract
13 ounces all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) orange nut granola
4 ounces chopped walnuts, roughly chopped
4 ounces chopped pecans, roughly chopped
4 ounces chopped almonds, roughly chopped
4 ounces rolled oats
4 ounces dried cranberries
6 ounces raisins
6 ounces dark chocolate, roughly chopped
6 ounces milk chocolate, roughly choppedn Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Add the butter, sugar and syrup to the mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until combined.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure it is thoroughly mixed in.
4. Add the vanilla and mix in well.
5. Add the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Beat on medium-low speed until a dough forms.
4. Add the remaining ingredients (granola, nuts, oats, died cranberries, raisins and chocolate) and mix at low speed until everything is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. Spoon the batter onto the baking sheet and press each down slightly (these cookies do not spread much during baking).
6. Reduce the oven to 325°F and bake for 14 to 16 minutes until they are golden brown around the edges.
7. Let cool slightly on the baking sheets before removing to a cooling rack.
r Store in an airtight container at room temperature. These cookies should last up to a week
a So long as the weight of the additional ingredients (granola, nuts, oats, dried fruit and chocolate) equals the same as this recipe you are free to use any additions you like!
Enjoy!
omg yumness!
Congrats on your store opening!! Heading over there right now to check it out
I’m so excited about your new company! Your charts and graphics are a wonderful addition to any home.
Love these cookies <3!
Ooooh these look so good! I’ve been thinking if making trail mix cookies myself. And I’m so happy about your store, I’ll be ordering something as soon as I get a chance…
These look fabulous! Love the flavour :)
Congrats on your company, can’t wait to peek around the store this afternoon. Your cookies look scrumptious!
Congrats on the grand opening. I took a look this morning and I love it all! And I love these cookies!
Oh! Yay! I already had the seasonal fruit/herb/vegetable posters and cannot wait to check out the new additions!
Love it!
Http://www.vegetarianventures.com
They look so chewy and chock full of goodies – love oats and chunky textured cookies!
CONGRATS and Yeayy on the Grand Opening! I know I fall under the food obsessed foodies category..hehehe. Gosh this is a perfect morning fix. Chunky chewy cookies. That’s how I love mine to be. Have a great week!! xoxo
Congrats on the store! It looks great, I’m sure you’ll do well with it.
I’m all about chewy cookies. And I can’t wait to check out your new store–yay! Congratulations! I’m sure it will be a huge success. :)
I will take and eat a dozen!
I think these trail mix cookies would be perfect for breakfast or on the go.
And yay for your shop!
Many congrats on the new biz – what an exciting venture! LOVE these cookies. :-)
woot woot for Sweet Tooth Paper Company!!!
Congratulations on Sweet Tooth Paper Company! Will take a peek and see what I want.
These cookies look amazing!
x
Love these cookies! Congrats as we’ll on the new store!
Excellent flavors all packed into one little cookie. This is a great accompaniment for autumn hikes or a chilly night on the porch with a cup of piping hot chai tea. Beautiful post, Russell.
Congrats on your new store Russel – you and Brian are so talented! As for these cookies, I’d love to chomp on one and sit by the window on stormy day.
Those cookies look delicious! Truly “to-go” cookies. And I am so hungry right now, I’ll eat anything.
Congrats again on the opening of your online boutique!
These are the kind of cookies I (a good mother) should be making for her kids. Granted, no nuts are allowed in school, so I cannot pack this as a surprise treat. But then again, it just means more for us to chomp on at home! Perfect for a chilly Fall day, wrapped in a chunky blanket with the kids and The Wizard of Oz on the telly :)
Absolutely love the photos, these look great.
Oh yes… pass me the tray!
These look so good. I’m tempted to make some for breakfast tomorrow :)
I want to stay in my pjs and eat cookies and drink tea all day while reading a good book, that sounds perfect!
Congrats on the new venture! I already love the prints!!
And this cookies?!? Oh my :)
These cookies look great and I am so excited about your shop! Those shirts are the cutest!!!
I just came across your blog and I am so glad I found you! Your photography is spectacular and I’m so excited to hunt around for more delicious recipes. Love it all!
There’s just something special about homemade cookies, especially chocolate chip cookies, so far as I’m concerned. It’s a great family activity, something even children can help with, and everyone loves eating the results..
<Adieu ;"^;"http://www.caramoan.co/caramoan-tour-package/
healthy!