Baking

Trail Mix Cookie Mix

Keep a trail mix cookie mix on hand: one base of flour, sugar and shortening makes four batches of cookies with nuts, fruit and mini chips.

Trail mix cookie mix

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A make-ahead cookie base mix you scoop out per batch and bake with an egg and vanilla. Stir in nuts, dried fruit and mini chips for a trail mix twist.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time32 minutes
CourseDessert
CuisineAmerican
Servings4 batches
Calories125

Ingredients
  

Base mix
  • 8 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 4 1/2 cups granulated sugar (or sugar substitute)
  • 4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 3 cups vegetable shortening (can be omitted; see the butter alternative)
Per batch
  • 2 1/2 cups dry mix
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Trail mix variation (per batch)
  • 1/2 cup nuts
  • 1/4 cup dried fruit
  • 1/4 cup mini chips

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • baking sheet
  • airtight jar

Directions
 

  1. Base mix: stir together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda, then cut in the shortening until it looks like coarse crumbs. Store in an airtight container.
  2. To bake: stir 2 1/2 cups of the mix together with the egg and vanilla until a dough forms, then mix in the trail mix add-ins.
  3. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a sheet with parchment.
  4. Scoop out tablespoon portions and press them down lightly.
  5. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.

Notes

Base mix keeps airtight at room temperature up to 8 weeks. Butter alternative (mix made without shortening): per batch 2 1/2 cups dry mix, 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla; same bake. Other variations: sugar, chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, snickerdoodle, double chocolate, coconut macadamia, lemon sugar, M&M, white chocolate cranberry, cinnamon roll, butterscotch, funfetti, espresso chip, roll-out sugar cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 26g | Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8.8g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 7.8mg | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 1.5g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 5.9mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, as cooked, 24 servings from 1/4 of the mix with 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup nuts, 1/4 cup dried fruit, 1/4 cup mini chips; all-purpose flour (the first choice counted), nuts counted as mixed nuts, dried fruit counted as canned peaches (as fruit), mini chips counted as semisweet chocolate. Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.