Magical Candy Corn Trail Mix Cookies Recipe: Sweet Fall Joy

Autumn calls for sweet treats that spark joy and nostalgia, and these candy corn trail mix cookies bring unexpected delight to your seasonal baking adventures.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these cookies irresistibly tempting.

The classic chocolate chip cookie gets a playful twist with crunchy trail mix and festive candy corn scattered throughout the dough.

Bursts of salty nuts and sweet candy create a harmonious flavor profile that keeps you reaching for another bite.

Each cookie delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that celebrate fall’s whimsical spirit.

Bake a batch and watch these crowd-pleasing cookies disappear in moments of pure cookie bliss.

Candy Corn Trail Mix Cookies Make Fall Fun

• Elevate Flavor Complexity: Brown butter adds a rich, nutty depth that transforms ordinary cookies into gourmet treats with minimal extra effort.
• Create Textural Excitement: Combining chocolate chips, crushed peanuts, and pretzels delivers an irresistible crunch and multi-dimensional mouthfeel in every bite.
• Customize with Seasonal Flair: Candy corn brings festive fall vibes, making these cookies perfect for Halloween gatherings or autumn celebrations while offering playful visual appeal.
• Wow Guests with Professional Technique: Shaping cookies with a round cutter post-baking provides a bakery-style finish that looks intentional and sophisticated, impressing anyone who takes a bite.

All You Need For Trail Mix Cookies

• Brown Butter: Rich, nutty butter with a deep golden color that adds complex flavor to the cookies.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweeteners that provide depth and caramelization to the cookie texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure and base for the cookie dough.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides moisture and richness.

• Chocolate Chips: Adds pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookies.
• Crushed Peanuts, Crushed Pretzels: Provide a satisfying crunch and salty contrast to the sweet base.
• Candy Corn: Introduces a classic seasonal sweetness and festive appearance.

• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the sweet flavors in the cookie.

Trail Mix Cookies Ready In Moments

Step 1: Create Golden Butter

Chop butter into small cubes and place in a heavy saucepan on medium heat.

Stir continuously while butter melts and bubbles.

Keep stirring until butter transforms into a rich golden color with a delightful nutty fragrance.

Transfer immediately to a heat-safe bowl for cooling.

Step 2: Sift Dry Elements

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt through a fine sifter in a medium mixing bowl.

Step 3: Warm the Oven

Fire up the oven to 350F (175C).

Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 4: Blend Sweet Base

Merge cooled brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl.

Whisk until smooth and well-integrated.

Step 5: Introduce Moisture

Drop in room temperature egg and vanilla extract.

Whisk until mixture looks glossy and uniform.

Step 6: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold sifted dry ingredients into wet mixture using a spatula.

Mix carefully to avoid overmixing.

Step 7: Toss in Crunchy Delights

• Chocolate chips
• Crushed peanuts
• Crushed pretzels

Distribute evenly through dough.

Step 8: Portion Cookie Dough

Scoop 6 portions onto prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.

Dot extra chocolate chips on top.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10 minutes until edges set and bottoms turn golden.

Centers might appear slightly soft.

Step 10: Optional Cookie Shaping

After removing from oven, use cookie cutter to reshape into perfect circles if desired.

Step 11: Final Decorative Touch

• Chocolate chips
• Crushed peanuts
• Crushed pretzels
• Candy corn

Step 12: Cool Down

Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet for proper setting.

Step 13: Serve and Enjoy

Devour immediately or store in sealed container.

Easy Tips For Trail Mix Cookies

• Let the butter caramelize slowly to develop a rich, nutty flavor that adds depth to your cookies.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to keep the cookies tender and prevent a tough texture.
• Use room temperature egg and butter to ensure even mixing and consistent cookie texture.
• Add extra mix-ins while cookies are still warm so they stick perfectly to the surface.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain their crisp edges and soft center for several days.

Trail Mix Cookie Swaps To Try

• Gluten-Free Candy Corn Trail Mix Cookies: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure all mix-ins are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Trail Mix Cookies: Substitute brown butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select vegan chocolate chips.
• Nut-Free Trail Mix Cookies: Remove peanuts and replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch, keeping the same cookie base recipe.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce overall sugar content, and maintain the same baking technique.

Share Trail Mix Cookies With Friends

• Festive Fall Platter: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board with scattered candy corn, creating a cozy autumn display that highlights the mix-in ingredients.
• Sweet Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside a warm mug of spiced apple cider or creamy vanilla latte to complement the cookies' rich, nutty brown butter flavor.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with twine, adding a few extra candy corn pieces for a cute seasonal treat perfect for sharing with friends or family.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Use the cookies as sandwich layers with vanilla or caramel ice cream, creating a decadent dessert that showcases the cookie's crunchy mix-in textures.

How To Store Trail Mix Cookies Well

• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their crisp texture.
• Store cookies in a sealed container in the refrigerator for extended freshness, lasting up to 7 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.

FAQs

• Why brown the butter for this recipe?

Browning butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies. It creates a deeper, more complex taste profile compared to using regular melted butter.

• Can I substitute ingredients in the trail mix part?

Yes, you can easily swap out the chocolate chips, peanuts, or pretzels with other mix-ins like dried fruit, different nuts, or alternative chocolate types. Just keep the total volume of mix-ins consistent.

• What's the purpose of using both brown and granulated sugar?

The combination creates a perfect balance of moisture and texture. Brown sugar adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor, while granulated sugar helps with crispness and structure of the cookies.

• Why is it important not to overmix the dough?

Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which can make cookies tough and dense.

Candy Corn Trail Mix Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet candy corn trail mix cookies blend Halloween nostalgia with irresistible chewy goodness. Loaded with salty-sweet crunch and festive autumn colors, these treats promise delightful moments of seasonal indulgence you’ll savor to the last crumb.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Binding & Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Textural Mix-ins:

• 2 tablespoons lightly salted peanuts, crushed
• 2 tablespoons pretzels, crushed
• Candy corn for topping

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Instructions

1. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until it transforms to a golden-brown hue with a rich, nutty fragrance. Transfer immediately to a heat-safe bowl for cooling.
2. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together in a separate mixing vessel.
3. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Blend the cooled brown butter with brown and granulated sugars until smooth and homogeneous.
5. Incorporate room temperature egg and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture appears glossy and uniform.
6. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, avoiding overmixing to maintain tender texture.
7. Delicately integrate chocolate chips, crushed peanuts, and pretzels throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution.
8. Portion six equal-sized dough mounds onto the prepared sheet, spacing them generously. Strategically place extra chocolate chips atop each portion.
9. Roast for 10 minutes until edges firm and bottoms achieve a golden-brown complexion, with centers remaining slightly soft.
10. Optional: Immediately post-baking, use a circular tool to reshape cookies into perfect rounds by gentle swirling.
11. While cookies retain warmth, embellish surfaces with additional chocolate chips, crushed peanuts, pretzels, and vibrant candy corn.
12. Allow complete cooling on the baking sheet to ensure structural integrity.
13. Serve immediately or preserve in an airtight container for later enjoyment.

Notes

• Brown the butter slowly and carefully to develop a rich, nutty flavor without burning, watching for a golden-brown color and aromatic scent.
• Chill the browned butter briefly before mixing to help control cookie spread and enhance texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and consistent cookie performance.
• Fold mix-ins gently to maintain cookie dough’s delicate structure and prevent overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg