Trail Mix Cookies Recipe: Chewy Cookies with Nuts & Dried Fruit

Last month I mentioned a new collaboration here at ¡Hola! Jalapeño with Zoobean, a terrific site devoted to children’s literature. This month we’re celebrating one of our all-time favorite picture books, The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch with illustrations by Michael Martchenko.

So many princess stories present sugary, passive heroines who wait to be rescued. The Paper Bag Princess turns that trope upside down. Princess Elizabeth is resourceful, determined, and brave. She outsmarts a dragon, saves Prince Ronald, and does it all while wearing only a paper bag. When Ronald complains that she doesn’t look like a “real” princess, Elizabeth stands up for herself and walks away — a rare, delightful example of a heroine who values her own worth above appearances.

Robert Munsch’s Elizabeth is the kind of character who stays with you: clever, independent, and refreshingly honest. Her story is a reminder that strength and intelligence are every bit as admirable as gowns and crowns. For readers — especially young readers — who are searching for alternatives to traditional princess narratives, Elizabeth is the perfect role model.

If I could bring something to share with Princess Elizabeth, it would be a tin of these trail mix cookies. They feel like the ideal snack for anyone tromping through charred forests, outwitting dragons, and rescuing people in need. These cookies combine classic trail-mix flavors — peanut, raisins, and chocolate — into a soft, chewy cookie that supplies quick energy and tastes great with a glass of milk or a cup of tea.

These cookies are straightforward to make and forgiving in the oven. The texture is soft and slightly crumbly with pockets of peanut butter and bursts of chocolate. Raisins add a chewy contrast and a hint of natural sweetness. They store well and make a convenient snack to tuck into a backpack or a picnic basket when you’re headed out on any small adventure.

For more atypical princess stories and diverse picture books, look for titles that feature strong, independent characters who challenge stereotypes. Books like these help expand the definition of what a princess — or a hero — can be.

Trail Mix Cookies + The Paper Bag Princess

Yield:
47 Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup extra-chunky peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup (about 2 small bags) M&M’s or other small chocolate candies

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt, breaking up any lumps.
In the bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the butter with the granulated and brown sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4–5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Fold in the raisins. If you prefer the chocolate candies to appear on top of the cookies, reserve them and press a few into each dough ball after placing them on the baking sheet; otherwise, stir them into the dough now.
Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each mound with your hand or the bottom of a glass. Press 3–4 chocolate candies into the top of each cookie if you reserved them. Bake for 10–12 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through baking for even color. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Information

Amount per serving:

Calories: varies; see detailed recipe calculations for exact values. Total Fat: varies depending on portion size.

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If you make this recipe, consider leaving a comment on the blog or sharing a photo on social media. Hearing how others adapt recipes and pair them with favorite books is always inspiring.