Discover the ultimate back-to-school treat: these incredibly easy Trail Mix Cookies! Perfect as a delightful lunchbox dessert or a wholesome after-school snack, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Packed with delicious ingredients and simple to make, these cookies are a fantastic way to energize your kids for their academic adventures.
Simplify Back-to-School with Delicious Homemade Treats
The whispers of back-to-school season are growing louder, and while some kids might be clinging to the last days of summer, others (and certainly many parents!) are eagerly preparing for the new academic year. This year, getting ready feels a little different, but one thing remains constant: the need for delicious, easy, and satisfying snacks. Our family’s secret weapon for boosting excitement and ensuring happy faces? Baking a fresh batch of these super easy, utterly delicious Trail Mix Cookies.
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cookies to bring a smile to anyone’s face, especially when those cookies are destined for lunchboxes and after-school fuel. We kick-started our back-to-school preparations by stocking up on all the lunchbox and snack essentials at our local Harris Teeter, including every ingredient needed to whip up these incredible cookies. Involving the kids in the baking process not only makes them more excited about returning to school but also teaches them valuable kitchen skills and the joy of homemade goodness.
This post is sponsored by Harris Teeter. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Your Back-to-School Shopping Destination: Harris Teeter
Grocery shopping can sometimes feel like a chore, but I genuinely enjoy my trips to Harris Teeter. Their commitment to quality and value truly stands out. They offer an amazing selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, which is essential for healthy lunchboxes, alongside a comprehensive range of pantry staples. What truly sets them apart are their high-quality Harris Teeter private label products. From everyday essentials like aluminum foil to diverse and delicious trail mixes, their private label options consistently deliver on taste and performance, all at incredibly competitive prices.
Harris Teeter is so confident in the excellence of their private label products that they offer an unparalleled guarantee. If you’re ever less than 100% satisfied with any private label item, simply return it for a full refund, and they’ll happily replace it with a like item of your choice. This no-risk guarantee makes trying their store brands a no-brainer, and it truly helps stretch the back-to-school budget without compromising on quality. Shopping at Harris Teeter makes getting ready for the school year so much easier, allowing more time for fun activities like baking with the family.
Win Big for Back-to-School! Enter Our Harris Teeter Gift Card Giveaway!
To make your back-to-school season even sweeter, we’re excited to announce a fantastic giveaway! One (1) lucky winner will receive a $50 Harris Teeter gift card. Imagine all the delicious ingredients you could buy to make these amazing Trail Mix Cookies, or simply stock up on your family’s favorite essentials. Don’t miss this opportunity to win and make your back-to-school shopping a breeze!
Click Here to Enter the $50 Harris Teeter Gift Card Giveaway!
The Magic of Mix-Ins: Crafting Your Perfect Trail Mix Cookies
Beyond stocking up on classic back-to-school staples like juice boxes, peanut butter, and jelly, I always make sure to let the kids take the lead when it comes to choosing the fun “mix-ins” for our big batch of Trail Mix Cookies. It’s an opportunity for them to personalize their treats, and it inevitably leads to some wonderfully creative (and incredibly delicious) combinations. For this particular batch, we opted for Harris Teeter semi-sweet chocolate morsels and Harris Teeter mini marshmallows, which perfectly complemented the base of Harris Teeter trail mix and hearty oatmeal. These additions not only boost the flavor but also add a delightful variety of textures that make every bite an adventure.
One of the best qualities of these Trail Mix Cookies is their versatility and how well they keep. When stored in an airtight container, they stay fresh and delicious for several days, making them ideal for meal prepping and ensuring you always have a wholesome snack on hand. Whether tucked into a lunchbox for a sweet surprise or served after school with a glass of milk, these cookies are a guaranteed hit. They strike the perfect balance between a comforting homemade treat and a satisfying, energy-boosting snack that kids (and adults!) will love.
Baking Fun for All Ages: Simple Steps to Deliciousness
My daughter absolutely loves helping me make these cookies. The recipe is wonderfully straightforward, making it an excellent choice for little hands eager to assist in the kitchen. We start by creaming together the shortening, butter, both white and brown sugars, peanut butter, and eggs until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect, tender cookie texture.
Next, we gradually incorporate the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, baking soda, and baking powder. We mix everything just until it’s combined, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough cookies. And then comes the most exciting part for the kids: the mix-ins! While our go-to choices are trail mix and oatmeal, the possibilities are endless. You can add dried fruits like cranberries or raisins, various nuts for extra crunch, different types of chocolate chips (white, milk, dark), or even other candies. My children, being their mother’s children, always gravitate towards classic chocolate chips and, of course, mini marshmallows – because who can resist that gooey texture? This creative freedom ensures that every batch can be unique and tailored to your family’s current cravings.
Baking Tips for Perfect Trail Mix Cookies Every Time
Once the dough is ready, we use a rounded tablespoon to drop portions onto an ungreased baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced about two inches apart to allow for even baking and spreading. Into the preheated oven they go, baking at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 9 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are just set. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.
After removing them from the oven, resist the urge to move them immediately! Allowing the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For optimal freshness, store these delightful Trail Mix Cookies in an airtight container, where they will maintain their deliciousness for several days. Of course, they rarely last that long in our house! The best way to enjoy them is freshly baked, perhaps with a tall glass of cold milk, gathered around the kitchen table with the kids after a busy school day. It’s a simple pleasure that makes any afternoon special.
30
cookies
15 minutes
10 minutes
25 minutes
Trail Mix Cookies
Kat Jeter & Melinda Machado
Print Recipe
Ingredients
-
2
c
All-purpose flour -
1
c
Granulated Sugar -
1
c
Brown sugar, packed -
1
c
Butter, softened -
½
c
Vegetable shortening -
1
c
Peanut butter -
2
Large Eggs -
2
tsp
Vanilla extract -
1 ½
c
Old-fashioned oats -
1
tsp
Baking powder -
1
tsp
Baking soda -
2
c
Trail Mix, your favorite blend -
1
c
Semi-sweet chocolate chips -
1
c
Mini marshmallows
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet, no greasing needed for these cookies.
-
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat together the butter, shortening, granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and eggs on medium speed until the mixture is light and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
-
Gently fold in the trail mix and chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
-
Finally, stir in the mini marshmallows. This is best done quickly to prevent them from melting too much into the dough.
-
Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of cookie dough onto the ungreased baking sheet, ensuring each cookie is about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
-
Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are just set. Do not overbake for soft, chewy cookies.
-
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
-
Once fully cooled, store your delicious Trail Mix Cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness for several days.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
cookie
,
Calories:
323
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
36
g
,
Protein:
5
g
,
Fat:
19
g
,
Saturated Fat:
7
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
3
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
2
g
,
Cholesterol:
28
mg
,
Sodium:
139
mg
,
Potassium:
69
mg
,
Fiber:
2
g
,
Sugar:
23
g
,
Vitamin A:
250
IU
,
Calcium:
20
mg
,
Iron:
0.7
mg
Dessert, Snack
Fueling Future Success, One Cookie at a Time
There’s immense satisfaction in knowing you’re sending your kids off to school with a little piece of homemade love. These Trail Mix Cookies aren’t just a tasty treat; they’re a comforting reminder of home, a fun reward, and a delicious energy boost for those long school days. My daughter is already brainstorming ideas for our next cookie baking session, eagerly planning what exciting new mix-ins we’ll experiment with for her upcoming lunchboxes. And honestly, whatever it takes to keep her excited and engaged about heading back to school and all the wonderful learning experiences that await her, I’m all for it!
So, gather your ingredients, enlist your little helpers, and get ready to bake up some magic. These Trail Mix Cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re an invitation to create lasting memories and delicious traditions with your family. Happy baking, and here’s to a fantastic back-to-school season!
