Post sponsored by Volkswagen.
I am an adventurer at heart, I truly am. As a child I could always be found in the forests of the Canadian wilderness, exploring every tree nook and cranny, always wondering what was on the other side of the next hill.
That childhood curiosity hasn’t left me and now I enjoy taking my family along with me on adventures. We pack up the car with provisions and head out to the hills, or the cliffs, to see what fun we can get up to.
I live on a tiny island archipelago in the middle of the North Sea measuring only 80 miles from tip to tip and 35 miles wide. As a family we’ve explored quite a bit of our island home except for one area, which I have been reluctant to take my small children to, until now…
The volcanic cliffs at Eshaness, on the north west mainland of Shetland, are one of my favourite places on our islands. Before I had children I did a spot of rock climbing in this area, basking like a lizard on the sun-warmed lava rocks, climbing my first (and only!) natural chimney, and learning how to abseil. Exhilarating.
Then I had children. The issue of gravity, and whether or not I lived or died, became somewhat important, so I sold my climbing gear and settled down into a reasonably safe life of child-rearing.
My younger two children are now nearly 8 and nearly 10, respectively, and so I thought this was as good a time as ever to take them on an adventure to Eshaness. I wanted them to see these stunning cliffs for themselves, and to experience Da Grind o’da Navir, one of the most powerful storm beaches in the world. I sold it to them as ‘real life Minecraft’. No, I doubt we’d see any creepers, but you never know.
So, the day before our planned road trip adventure to Eshaness I whipped up a batch of home made trail mix.
Every true adventurer knows that home made trail mix is a key component of outdoor refuelling. Portable, nutritious, tasty and with loads of slow release carbohydrates to keep you going for hours it can be tailored to your liking (you will never, ever, find dried banana in mine!).
The thing is though, trail mix can be kind of messy for kids (and there’s the choking issue of whole nuts), so I whizzed up some of the trail mix in my blender and stirred it into a chewy oatmeal cookie base for them. My youngest son even helped me mix the dough. Win!
I find that these cookies taste even better the next day. On the first day they’re hard and crunchy but come day two they’re soft, chewy and oh so incredibly moreish, and they stay that way for a good week, if kept in an airtight container. Perfect for stuffing into pockets and taking on adventures.
Eshaness has one of the highest energy coastlines in the world. Its stacks, blowholes and geos (small inlets) have been formed by the force of the North Atlantic.
350-400 million years ago the Shetland Islands were part of a large supercontinent located near the equator, an area of intense volcanic activity.
Do you see those layers in the first cliff in the foreground? Those are layers of lava and volcanic ash as eruption followed eruption. This area cuts through the flank of the volcano, and its geology is absolutely stunning.
Well it is for me. The kids weren’t that impressed, to be honest!
Nearby lies the ruined Broch of Houlland, a Pictish structure dating back approximately 2000 years. Beside that there is a stone causeway leading to a tiny island, a causeway my children insisted they had to bravely cross. It took a few attempts for them to overcome their fear of landing head first in the loch, but they both did it!
Afterwards we passed by the Holes of Scraada, a collapsed sea cave in the middle of the vast fields and stopped for a cookie break before carrying on to da Grind o’da Navir.
This is a remarkable area formed by the fierce storms of the North Atlantic. Huge blocks of volcanic rock have been thrown up by the sea through a breach in the line of cliffs which opens up into a natural amphitheatre. The stones you see above are 15 metres above sea level, and they have been thrown there by the sea for up to 180 feet.
If there ever was a rejuvenating Zelda-esque fairy pool here in Shetland this little body of water in the amphitheatre would be it, I am sure.
The kids thought that this was the Best. Place. Ever. Ever!
Here we stopped for a spot of lunch with the sun warming the rocks and the cliffs protecting us from the cool breeze. You know when you have those days with all of the happy? Those days where everything has gone according to plan and you just sit there with a full belly and a content heart?
That.
It really was the best day ever. It definitely ranks up there as one of our best family adventures yet.
What’s your favourite outdoor adventure refuelling recipe? Do you have a favourite granola bar, trail mix or cookie? Let me know in the comments! If you’re looking for more travel-inspired recipes do visit the Volkswagen Pinterest community board – Food Bloggers for Volkswagen.
Chewy Trail Mix Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
for the trail mix
- 1.5 parts mixed nuts almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts
- 1 part mixed seeds sunflower, pumpkin, coconut shavings
- 1 part mixed dried fruit raisins, apricots, apple rings
- 0.5 part sweet stuff dark chocolate, popcorn, marshmallows
for the cookies
- 170 grams plain flour
- 115 grams caster sugar
- 90 grams light brown muscovado sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Shetland sea salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 90 grams white vegetable fat
- 75 grams porridge oats
- 80 grams home made trail mix finely chopped
- 1 large free-range egg
- 2 tbsp full fat milk or dairy free option
- 1/2 tsp Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste
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This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- To make your trail mix use a scoop and measure out the required parts of each component. Store in an airtight container and consume within one week.
- Preheat oven to 180 C/ 160 C fan/ 350 F. Lightly grease two cookie sheets or line them with silicone baking mats.
- Combine the flour, sugars, spices, salt, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda in a large bowl.
- Rub the vegetable fat into the mixture with your fingertips until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Add the porridge oats and the finely chopped trail mix and stir to combine.
- Whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla and add to the dry ingredients. Stir well to make the cookie dough.
- Pinch off bits of dough about the size of a walnut and roll into a ball. Place on the prepared cookie sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes, until golden.
- Leave to cool for five minutes on the cookie sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- The cookies will keep for up to a week in an airtight container. They also freeze well.
This is a commissioned recipe post for Volkswagen although all thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories.
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Roasted Baby Carrots with Grana Padano and Prosciutto di San Daniele
These look & sound divine!! Really lovely to read a story to go with your recipe too 🙂
Great recipe for packing on our days out, must have a go at these.
Oh wow. The scenery is just truly spectacular and the cookies looks so tasty too
Wow those views are so stunning, you really are lucky to be surrounded by such awesome scenery! Your Trail Mix Cookies sound like the perfect energy boost for a day of exploring with the kids!
The landscapes in your photos look absolutely stunning and picture perfect. Healthy and delicious cookies plus adventure, what a fantastic trip.
Trail mix! What a brilliant idea! I wouldn’t mind giving this a try, I’m sure my husband will enjoy having this while he’s watching his favorite shows!
These look so delicious! Oatmeal cookies are one of my favorites.
These cookies look so warming and yummy! The cliffs are breathtaking as well!
This looks so good! I love chewy cookies and so do my kids! This recipe is definitely a keeper and it’s perfect for keep your full in between meals!
Ooh these sound (and look!!) absolutely delicious! I love oaty biscuits to begin with but all of the additions makes them seem even tastier! Xxx
I love trail mix cookies. I have a few recipes packed full of my favorite trail mix ingredients.
Great post! Love to read both adventure and food all in one post. The pictures looks amazing and the cookies delicious.
LOVE the structure of this post. How you weaved in a story with your cookie recipe. And that lunch box, TO DIE FOR!
These look like such a healthy snack! I love nuts! Looks like you had a good time xo
This really does look like the best family adventure trip ever! Those oatmeal cookies look divine but most of all the photos are spellbinding.
OMG…Chewy, Oatmeal, and Trail mixes are some of my favorite things. To put them all in a cookie is AMAZING! Thank you for sharing I will certainly give it a try 🙂
Those cookies look so good! Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂
Fantastic! Christmas is not complete without these fantastic cookies! It looks good!
This is looks fantastic! I’ll make this on Christmas eve!
Loved your photos, and story of a lovely day! We went for ” a picnic by mistake” one day when the kids were little, and so we understand the opposite kind of event!
Those pictures look amazing. I will have to give them a try really soon. I love your photos, seems like quiet the adventure.
Those cookies look fantastic, and wow! You live in such a beautiful place!
Wow! What a great idea! Love the photos by the way.
The cookies look amazing! I love the detail of the recipe and the photos you posted.
xoxo
Isaly Holland
http://www.memoriesbyisaly.com
I can’t wait to try these cookies! And those cliffs look incredible, I can’t believe it is from volcanic stuff! Nature is amazing!
Looks delicious!!
Those cookies look amazingly delicious! Perfect for a days adventuring!
WOW this place looks stunning!!
Well hello beautiful. These cookies look so amazing!!!!
These photos are amazing! I want to join to this view and eat your cookies! I must try your recipe after christmas :)!
Such a good initiative from VW gives us the opportunity to dream of places far far away :))
thanks for sharing
These cookies look so delicious! I need to add them to my list of ones to make!
These cookies sound so yummy! It’s even better that they are chewy.
You make all the recipes look so delicious and easy to make! Every time I read your blog I want to start cooking.
Cookies look absolutely yummy.
This recipe sounds AMAZING! I will bef be saving this!
These are my type of cookies – I prefer nutty and fruity to chocolate to be honest. Thanks for the recipe – I find cookies easier to make than cakes so I will give this a go in the new year x
These cookies look amazing and perfect for a little snack while out on an adventure!
Next time, can I come with you all?
– Elodie x
Those cookies looks so delicious, and the box in the photos is amazing. I love boxes and now I want one like that as well.
Wow, you live in a truly stunning part of the world. It looks like it’s just begging you to explore. With kids in tow I find snacks can make or break a day of adventures – those cookies sound perfect for keeping their energy levels topped up.
I love oatmeal cookies – they are my favourite kind, and these sound fantastic with the mix of spices and trail mix. I do like a good blend of fruit and nuts in them, so this is a fantastic idea. Will be trying them out soon! xx
These cookies look absolutely delicious!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!!
These look absolutely amazing! I am definitely going to pin these for later! Also, I love how you did not just share a recipe but you shared a whole story. it is such a good idea and definitely one that I should try!
Do you take your own pictures – they are absolutely beautiful! These cookies look so delicious! I love how easy they are to make and how they are heathy!
I do all my own photography, yes, thank you for your kind words! 😀
I wish I could bake. The recipe looks simple though and delicious! Lovely pictures too, thanks so much for sharing! x
If you can read you can bake. 😉 You just need to follow the instructions – I bet you’d be impressed with your skills, and they only get better with practise!
These trail mix cookies sound delicious and it looks like you went on quite an adventure! Love your photography:)
Thank you 🙂 It was a rather fantastic day, for sure!
I’ve never tried these, they do look very good, especially for christmas x
They’re a new and original recipe by me, so I’d be surprised if you saw them anywhere else before. 😉
These look delicious!! And using trail mix is so creative, can’t wait to try it!
Thank you Sam! I thought it was a rather clever idea too 🙂
What a great recipe for trail mix cookies! Love the idea, they are perfect for traveling! And those pictures – they are simply gorgeous!
Aw thank you for your lovely comment! Much appreciated 🙂
Not made cookies in ages, these cookies look amazing! I need to start baking again
Definitely. Cookie making needs to be a regular thing! 😀
Such a great post! I loved reading about your adventure. Fab cookies too. I’d love to go to Shetland one day.
Do come and visit! It can be rather good fun up here 🙂
Oh my, these look absolutely scrumptious! I *love* oaty cookies.
Thanks Claire, me too! 😀
wow these look and sound irresistible!! They would definitely make for great little baked goods gifts this christmas too!
Thanks Francesca, they certainly would! 🙂
These cookies sound amazing. I would love to snack on them.
Thanks Stella 🙂
This is a fabulous post. Love the background to your adventuring, your pictures and setting – it’s really stunning – so like the Northern Irish coast too with it’s cliffs and causeways and all combined with a recipe too. I would never eat trail mix, but I would these cookies. Great work.
Thanks Nicola 🙂 Really glad you’ve enjoyed my post and I might have tempted you to give Trail Mix a go, even if it’s hidden in a cookie!
I love your posts and wonderful photos. The cookies look absolutely delicious. Kaz x
Thank you! 😀 Hope you have a fantastic Christmas and New Year!
If you could package some up for me and get them posted id be forever greatful! They look just incredible x
Haha! They’d never last long enough to get packaged – my family love them! You’ll just have to follow my recipe and make a batch for yourself. 🙂
I absolutely loved going on that adventure with you … via this post. The recipe is excellent too. Loved the background about the rock formations. Living here in the UAE I’ve seen some amazing geology. That fairy pool though… beam me up
Oh thank you for your lovely comment! It’s comments like these that keep me blogging 🙂 Isn’t that a crackin’ fairy pool? Would LOVE to visit the UAE one day. One day, definitely. 🙂
Two of the best things combined! I love this idea! The cookies look awesome!
Thank you! 😀
I just love your adventures — and that trail mix. Mine never looks like that. I never thought to use it for cookies! Brilliant!
Aw thank you! I just whipped up what I had in my cupboard for my trail mix (I detest dried papaya and banana so that will never feature!). So simple to make – what do you put in yours?
Wow! Beautiful landscape… Loved both the pics and the cookies recipe. It is ideal to have a treat containing fiber and dried fruits while been in nature and descovering new places. It helps you a lot by providing so much energy! I like the fact that you baked them yourself, you seem such a caring mom! Thanks for sharing the recipe…
Thank you 🙂 I do try my best, although I’m sure my children would disagree!
It’s so nice to be able to go out on adventures exploring nature! I’m desperate to move out of the city and live closer to nature. It was a good idea making oatmeal cookies from the trial mix. They look absolutely delicious 😀 I often find homemade cookies taste better the next day 🙂
They sound like perfect cookies to me! Something to recreate one day soon. Thank you.
So good to have a tasty and healthy snack to enjoy when out and about in an adventure. Oats are great to keep your energy levels up too. Love all your photos so much!
Aw thanks Kavey! Glad you liked my post, and I agree – oats are a great source of fuel for adventuring! 🙂
What a truly wonderful part of the world to bring up your children – your photos are breathtaking! I love how you’ve blitzed up the trail mix to go into the cookies – such a neat idea for a portable energy fix.
I forget sometimes just how amazing this place is. It’s good to go out every now and again and remind ourselves how lucky we are. 🙂 Cookies also help!
What an absolutely beautiful post – to read and to look at. The cookies look amazing but I am eyeing you r camper van tin up with envy lol. One day me and Hungry Hubby will buy a camper van and travel the UK in it – that’s the dream anyway. I may well take your cookies with us!
Aw thank you so much for your kind words! I really do appreciate it. I was gifted the tin – it’s from a German website – nostalgic-art.de You should definitely take a trip up to Shetland – it’s one of Britain’s best kept secrets, I think! 🙂
Now that is my kind of adventure. Your pictures are just stunning. Lucky kids I say. Those are my kind of cookies too. I normally whip up a batch of flapjacks for our adventures, but I might just make some of these next time.
Oh for more of those days where everything melds into a wonderful whole.
Aw thank you! My kids always grumble and moan at first when I suggest we go on an adventure, and then they always have such a fantastic time. It’s great to get out exploring when the weather is fine. I’ll have to try one of your flapjack recipes – that’s something I’ve not managed to perfect yet. I’m needing inspiration!
I need to make some of them cookies for our next day out, yum, yum.
They are really rather tasty – and leftover trail mix tastes quite nice sprinkled over yogurt for breakfast too!
These look really lovely. I love the idea of putting a trail mix into a cookie.
Thanks Jemma 🙂 I like that it makes the nuts a bit smaller for the kids – no choking hazard while on the move!
What an utterly stunning place you live and I can’t believe how small it is – wow!
I love that you’ve made adventure suitable snacks – you are the coolest mom ever!!
It is just a tiny rock in the middle of a big ocean, our home! Now, can you tell my kids that I’m a cool Mum because they won’t believe me. 😉
Love the beautiful nature pics and the cookies! Love the idea of adding trail mix to the cookies 🙂
Thanks Jovita 🙂 Glad you like my post, thanks for stopping by!
Oh I just loved reading this post! Your spirit of adventure is infectious and I want to go on a family travel now. Inspired idea to turn trail mix into cookies, too!
Aw thank you Kate! You’ve made me smile on this dark, dreary winter’s morning!
These cookies look amazing and so does your exploration! I’ve never been to Shetland, but it is on my ever expanding list.
I absolutely love trail mix and I could just chomp on that, but cookies? Yes please!
Thanks Angela 🙂 You should come and visit some time – you’ll love it here!
Oh wow, what a place to explore! It looks amazing where you live, I’m sure that’s a wonderful adventure for the kids. Beautiful shots, and the cookies look delicious too.
It is a pretty magical place, that’s for sure. 🙂 Glad you like the look of my cookies, and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, I really do appreciate it.
These sound delicious – the perfect snack for explorers of any age!
Thanks Milly, I agree! I might have eaten a good percentage of these cookies myself, lol!
Oh wow what an adventure, such beautiful photos. Those cookies look and sound delicious, perfect for taking on an adventure xx
Thank you 🙂
What a brilliant idea to blend up the trail mix and add them to oatmeal cookies! They sound delicious and an easy way for the kids to be able to get the extra nutrition without the choking hazard of the nuts. Your pictures of your adventure are breathtaking!
Thanks Sarah, yes there is that aspect to it as well, for sure. Glad you enjoyed my post!
What a beautiful place you live in. The adventure sounds amazing as do the cookies which look delectable.
Thanks Nazima, yes we’re quite lucky really, to live here! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated 🙂
I have taking oat meal cookies with me when I am traveling away from home. These look real delicious and sounds like you guys are real adventurers
I ate SO many oat based treats while on my epic bikepacking trip this summer. Oats really do provide lasting fuel, and with the added boost of brown sugar and the trail mix I think it’s a winning combination.
Cookies are great for any occasion! If I could drive I’d definitely take them on an adventure!
They’re great for walking adventures too! 🙂
I love oatmeal cookies, I tend to make a batch quite often as I don’t feel quite as guilty eating them as I do with chocolate ones x
I know what you mean! There’s something more healthy with eating oats over chocolate! 🙂
I’m with you on the geology of this stunning place – totally fascinating. Your pictures are amazing – as are the biscuits I have to say! I’d love to go on one of your days out!
Aw thanks Sharon! So glad you’ve enjoyed my post! You’re more than welcome to tag along any time – the more the merrier! 😀
I must admit these look amazing, they are so my sort of thing. I’m drooling at the moment, wonder if I could make them too. It looks like the adventuring trip was fun it looks beautiful there.
You could definitely make them too – they’re really simple to make, and the best thing is you can tailor the trail mix to your liking! 🙂
I love oatmeal cookies and yours look really good! And beautiful views and photos. It does look like a great day/family adventure.
Thanks Dean, it definitely is a special place. One of my favourites on Shetland, and good cookies just added to the experience! 🙂
These look delicious! I haven’t made cookies in forever, might have to make these this weekend x
Definitely give them a go, and go on a grand adventure too – then tell me all about it! 🙂
OH WOW!!! Please can you take me there when we come and visit? I feel it’ll be a very fitting journey too driving all the way up there in my campervan!!!
As far as energy treats go, muffins are always a winner or there’s a flapjeck recipe on my site that is beyond awesome. I must remember to make a batch before setting off to Scotland!
Janie x
Absolutely definitely! We are so going on an adventure there. I know all the best places too – you’ll LOVE it 😀
Oh my gosh, you make me want to rent a lovely old Volkswagen, bundle my kids up and go for an epic adventure (probably in the cornwall area), along with a whole bunch of cookies and a camera.
Go for it! Cookies, camera and adventuring can’t be beat. 🙂