Irresistible Chewy Mixed Nut Cookies: The Ultimate Easy Recipe for Nut Lovers
Prepare to fall in love with these **Irresistible Chewy Mixed Nut Cookies**! Perfectly sweet and incredibly indulgent, each bite offers a delightful symphony of textures and rich, nutty flavors. Crafted for ease and speed, this recipe ensures you’ll have a batch of these mouthwatering cookies ready in less than 25 minutes, making them an ideal treat for any occasion, from a quick snack to a special dessert. Whether you’re a devoted nut enthusiast or simply seeking a unique twist on classic cookies, this recipe promises to deliver pure, chewy bliss. Forget plain cookies; these mixed nut cookies bring an exciting variety to your dessert table.
Why You’ll Adore These Chewy Mixed Nut Cookies
It’s a universally acknowledged truth that cookies with nuts are a match made in heaven. But have you truly explored the delightful complexity that a *mix* of nuts brings to the table? If you’re anything like me – someone who can easily devour a whole tin of mixed nuts in one sitting – then this exceptional mixed nut cookie recipe is tailor-made for your cravings. It elevates the classic nut cookie experience to an entirely new level, offering a symphony of flavors and an utterly satisfying chew.
As a self-proclaimed cookie connoisseur with years of baking experience, I admit I have incredibly high standards. I’ve spent countless hours perfecting cookie recipes, and I can confidently say that these mixed nut cookies are nothing short of perfect. They boast an irresistible **chewy texture** that truly sets them apart, coupled with an ideal thickness that prevents them from being too thin or too dense. Each cookie is infused with just the right amount of sweetness, perfectly balanced by the savory crunch of the nuts, creating a harmonious flavor profile that will have you reaching for another, and another.
These chewy mixed nut cookies are not just another dessert; they’re a celebration of texture and taste. The combination of various nuts creates a depth of flavor and a varied texture that single-nut cookies often lack, making every bite an exciting experience. Imagine biting into a cookie where the earthy notes of walnuts meet the buttery richness of cashews, all nestled in a perfectly soft, sweet dough. However, if a pre-mixed medley isn’t quite your preference, feel free to unleash your creativity! This recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to easily swap the mixed nuts with any combination of your favorite nuts – be it pecans, walnuts, almonds, or macadamias. The core recipe provides a fantastic base for your personal nutty cookie masterpiece.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Nutty Cookies
Creating these outstanding mixed nut cookies starts with a selection of quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that sought-after chewy texture, perfect spread, and rich flavor. Pay attention to the details, and your homemade cookies will turn out just like they came from a professional bakery. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Unsalted Butter (Room Temperature): This is the foundation of our cookies, providing that soft yet irresistibly chewy texture. I always opt for unsalted butter because it gives me complete control over the salt content in my baked goods. If you only have salted butter on hand, remember to omit the kosher salt from this recipe to prevent your cookies from becoming too salty. Ensure your butter is at **room temperature** – soft enough to make an indentation with your finger, but not melted. This is crucial for proper creaming with the sugars, leading to a perfectly airy and light cookie dough that bakes beautifully.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: The magic happens with a combination of both! Granulated sugar contributes to the crisp edges and helps the cookies spread beautifully, while brown sugar adds a deep molasses flavor, essential moisture, and that signature chewy texture we’re aiming for. This blend ensures the perfect balance of sweetness and structural integrity, making these cookies truly special.
- Egg + Egg Yolk: Here’s a little secret for truly exceptional chewy cookies: one whole egg plus an extra egg yolk. This addition acts as a secret weapon, providing richer flavor, increased chewiness, and a more tender crumb. The extra yolk adds fat and moisture without introducing excess liquid, creating a wonderfully indulgent texture that’s simply drool-worthy. Trust me, this small tweak makes a huge difference in the final product!
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our cookie structure. For accuracy, always use the “spoon and level” method: spoon the flour into your measuring cup until it overflows, then level it off with the flat edge of a knife. This prevents over-measuring, which can lead to dense, dry, or cakey cookies. If you’re gluten intolerant, Bob’s Red Mill’s 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour is an excellent substitute that works wonderfully in this recipe, allowing everyone to enjoy these nutty treats.
- Baking Soda: Our essential leavening agent. Baking soda reacts with the acidic components (like brown sugar) in the dough to create carbon dioxide gas, which helps the cookies rise and become beautifully puffy, preventing them from being overly dense or flat. It also contributes to browning, giving our cookies that appealing golden hue and a subtle crispness.
- Kosher Salt: A small but mighty ingredient! Salt isn’t just for savory dishes; it’s a flavor enhancer that brings out the best in sweet treats. A touch of kosher salt perfectly balances the sweetness of the sugars and highlights the rich, complex flavors of the mixed nuts. If you only have regular table salt, remember it’s finer and saltier, so cut the amount in half to avoid over-salting.
- Mixed Nuts (Chopped): The star of the show! I typically use a can of lightly salted mixed nuts for convenience and a good flavor base, but the beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. Feel free to create your own bespoke blend from your favorite nuts. Whether it’s a medley of pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, or even macadamias, make sure they are roughly chopped to ensure an even distribution and delightful crunch in every single bite. The chopping size matters – aim for pieces about the size of a pea or slightly larger for the best texture.
How to Bake Delectable Mixed Nut Cookies Step-by-Step
Baking these fantastic mixed nut cookies is a straightforward and enjoyable process that even novice bakers can master. Follow these simple steps to create a batch of perfectly chewy, nutty delights that will impress everyone with minimal effort.
Before you dive into mixing, remember to prepare your workstation for smooth sailing. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Next, line a standard sheet pan (or two, if you’re making a larger batch to prevent overcrowding) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This crucial step ensures even baking, prevents sticking, and makes for incredibly easy cleanup later.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine your softened, room-temperature unsalted butter with both the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat these together on medium speed for about 2 minutes. The mixture should transform into a light, fluffy, and noticeably paler consistency, indicating that sufficient air has been incorporated. This aeration is vital for achieving the perfect soft and chewy texture in your finished cookies.
- Incorporate the Eggs: Add the whole egg and the extra egg yolk to the creamed butter mixture. Beat on low speed until they are just combined, ensuring the egg is fully incorporated without overmixing. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly blended. Over-incorporating air after adding eggs can sometimes lead to tougher cookies, so a gentle hand is best here.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Once the eggs are fully incorporated, gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt to the bowl. Beat on the lowest speed possible, mixing only until a cohesive cookie dough forms and no streaks of dry flour remain. It’s crucial not to overmix the flour at this stage, as excessive mixing develops the gluten too much, which can result in dry, tough cookies rather than the desired soft and chewy texture.
- Fold in Chopped Nuts: Gently add your chopped mixed nuts to the cookie dough. You can either stir them in by hand with a sturdy spatula or beat on the lowest speed until the nuts are just combined and evenly dispersed throughout the dough. Again, avoid overmixing to preserve the tender texture of the cookie. You want to see those beautiful nut pieces distributed in every scoop for a delightful crunch in every bite!
- Scoop Cookie Dough: Using a small portion scoop (approximately 1.5-2 tablespoons), scoop out about 8 cookies onto your parchment-lined sheet pan. Ensure you leave ample space between each cookie, at least 2 inches, to allow for proper spreading during baking. A portion scoop is highly recommended for consistent sizing, which leads to uniform baking and presentation. If you don’t have one, a regular spoon can work, but aim for roughly equal amounts for best results.
- Bake Mixed Nuts Cookies: Transfer the sheet pan to your preheated oven and bake for 11 to 12 minutes. This timing is crucial for achieving that signature chewy texture. When you pull them out, the edges should appear lightly golden, but the centers will still look slightly underdone and soft. Don’t worry, this is exactly what you want! If a cookie looks completely “done” in the oven, it’s already overbaked. The residual heat from the baking sheet will continue to cook them gently as they cool, leading to that perfect soft and chewy interior.
- Allow Cookies to Cool: Resist the urge to move them immediately! Let the cookies cool on the hot sheet pan for at least 5 minutes. This crucial step allows them to firm up and solidify their structure without breaking apart. Attempting to transfer them too soon will likely lead to them falling apart or losing their shape. After a few minutes, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bottoms from getting soggy and ensures that desirable chewy texture throughout. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough until all your delightful mixed nut cookies are baked! Enjoy!
Top Tips for Perfect Mixed Nut Cookies Every Time
Achieving bakery-quality cookies at home is entirely possible with a few insider tricks and a keen eye. Here are some essential cookie-making tips to ensure your mixed nut cookies turn out perfectly chewy, flavorful, and beautifully baked every single time:
- Use Room Temperature Butter: This is a golden rule in baking and cannot be stressed enough! Your butter should be soft enough to indent with your finger but not melted or greasy. Room temperature butter creams much more effectively with sugar, creating tiny air pockets that contribute to a light, airy, and evenly textured cookie. Cold butter won’t cream properly, leading to dense cookies, while melted butter can result in greasy, flat cookies that spread too much.
- Don’t Overmix the Cookie Dough: Once you add the flour, mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined and no dry streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour excessively, which can make your cookies tough, dry, and less tender – a far cry from the chewy texture we’re aiming for. Think of it as a gentle coaxing, not a vigorous beating!
- Avoid Overbaking the Cookies: This is perhaps the most common mistake in cookie baking, especially for chewy cookies. Cookies should *not* look fully baked when you pull them from the oven. The edges should be lightly golden, but the centers should still appear slightly soft, puffy, and a bit underdone. They will continue to cook and set as they cool on the hot baking sheet, resulting in that delightful chewy interior. An overbaked cookie will be hard, dry, and crumbly.
- Let the Cookies Cool on the Sheet Pan: Patience is key here! Hot cookies are fragile and prone to breaking. Allowing them to rest on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes after baking gives them time to firm up and set their structure. Attempting to transfer them too soon will likely lead to them falling apart. This initial cooling period also helps the residual heat finish the baking process, contributing to that perfect texture.
- Consider Chilling the Dough (Optional but Recommended): While this recipe is designed for quick baking, chilling the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight) can significantly enhance both flavor and texture. Chilling allows the flour to fully hydrate, the flavors to meld and deepen, and the butter to firm up, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies with a more pronounced nutty flavor and less spread.
Storing Your Delicious Mixed Nut Cookies
To keep your mixed nut cookies fresh and delicious for as long as possible, proper storage is essential. Whether you plan to enjoy them within a few days or save some for a later treat, here’s how to store both baked cookies and unbaked cookie dough effectively:
Storing Baked Cookies:
Always ensure your cookies have cooled completely to room temperature before storing them. Placing warm cookies in an airtight container will create condensation, making them soft, soggy, and potentially leading to spoilage. Once thoroughly cool, store them in an **airtight container** or a resealable ziplock bag to prevent them from drying out.
They will maintain their delightful freshness for up to **3 days at room temperature** on your counter. For extended freshness, you can store them in the **refrigerator for up to 1 week**. For the longest storage solution, freezing is your best friend, allowing you to enjoy these treats weeks or even months down the line!
Freezing Mixed Nut Cookies:
Freezing is a fantastic way to preserve these delicious treats for future enjoyment, whether you prefer to freeze baked cookies or have ready-to-bake cookie dough on hand. This method allows for spontaneous cookie cravings without the full baking process. Here’s how to do both:
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Once your mixed nut cookies have fully cooled to room temperature, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. For best results, arrange them in a single layer if possible, or place sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. They can be frozen for up to **3 months**. When you’re ready for a treat, simply let them thaw on the counter for a few hours until soft, or warm them in the microwave in 10-second increments for a fresh-out-of-the-oven experience.
- Freezing Unbaked Cookie Dough: This is perfect for having fresh-baked cookies on demand anytime! Scoop the unbaked cookie dough into individual balls onto a half sheet pan or a plate lined with parchment paper. Place the pan into the freezer and freeze for about 1 hour, or until the dough balls are solid. Once frozen, transfer these solid cookie dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to **3 months**. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw! Simply place the frozen dough balls on your prepared baking sheet and bake them directly from frozen, adding an extra 2-4 minutes to the baking time specified in the recipe. This method yields incredibly fresh, warm, and perfectly chewy cookies with minimal effort.
Creative Variations for Your Mixed Nut Cookies
One of the best aspects of this mixed nut cookie recipe is its incredible versatility. While delicious on its own, you can easily customize it to suit your taste preferences or to add an extra layer of flavor and fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make these chewy cookies uniquely yours! Here are some exciting variations to try:
- Explore Different Nuts: The world of nuts is vast and exciting! While a standard can of mixed nuts is convenient, don’t hesitate to create your own bespoke blend. Head to the bulk aisle for a wider selection. Consider using specific nuts like cashews for a buttery crunch, pistachios for a unique color and flavor, pecans or walnuts for earthy notes, peanuts for a classic savory touch, almonds for a delicate bite, or macadamia nuts for a rich, tropical twist. Just ensure they are roughly chopped to about the same size for even distribution and optimal texture in your mixed nut cookies.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Nuts and chocolate are a timeless pairing that elevate any cookie! Fold in a cup of your favorite chocolate chips – dark, semi-sweet, milk, or even white chocolate – for an extra layer of sweetness and indulgence. The melting chocolate combined with the crunchy nuts creates an irresistible texture contrast that will delight your taste buds.
- Include Shredded Coconut: For a hint of tropical sweetness and an added chew, mix in half a cup of shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened, depending on your preference). This addition complements the nutty flavors beautifully and adds a lovely aroma, transforming your mixed nut cookies into a truly exotic treat.
- Mix in M&M’s or Candy Pieces: Transform these into a fun, colorful “trail mix” inspired cookie by adding a cup of M&M’s or other chopped candy pieces (like toffee bits or butterscotch chips). This is a fantastic option for parties, special occasions, or when you want to add a playful touch, especially if you’re baking for kids (or the kid in you!).
- Spice It Up: A pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a tiny dash of cardamom can subtly elevate the overall flavor profile, especially if you’re using warmer-toned nuts like pecans or walnuts. Start with about ½ teaspoon and adjust to your liking; these warm spices really bring out the best in nut cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nut Cookies
Here are answers to some common questions about baking and enjoying mixed nut cookies:
Ultimately, the “best” nuts for cookies come down to personal preference. Every type of nut offers a unique flavor and texture that can be delicious in a cookie! Popular choices often include walnuts, pecans, and almonds due to their classic appeal and availability. However, don’t shy away from less common options like pistachios (for a vibrant color and distinct taste), cashews (for a creamy, buttery note), peanuts (for a familiar, salty crunch), or macadamia nuts (for a rich, tropical indulgence). A good rule of thumb is: if you enjoy eating it on its own, chances are you’ll love it baked into a cookie. For these mixed nut cookies, variety is key!
While it depends on the size of the nuts and your desired texture, generally, it’s a good idea to roughly chop most nuts for cookies. This ensures a more even distribution throughout the dough, meaning every bite gets a perfect amount of nuttiness and crunch. Large whole nuts can be too dominant in some cookies and may also make the dough harder to scoop evenly. For the best experience, aim for pieces that are about pea-sized or slightly larger, allowing the nuts to integrate seamlessly into the chewy cookie dough.
Both raw and roasted nuts can be successfully used in cookies, but they will yield slightly different results. Raw nuts will toast and develop flavor as they bake within the cookie, offering a fresher, sometimes more subtle nut flavor. Roasted nuts, especially dry-roasted ones, already have a deeper, more intense flavor and a crisper texture, which can really shine in a cookie. If you’re using pre-salted roasted nuts, adjust the added salt in the recipe accordingly to prevent your cookies from becoming too salty.
Several factors can lead to flat or hard cookies. Flat cookies are often caused by using butter that is too warm (melted instead of room temperature), over-creaming the butter and sugar (incorporating too much air early on), or using too much leavening agent. Hard cookies are typically a result of overmixing the flour (developing too much gluten, which makes them tough) or, most commonly, overbaking them. Remember, cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when removed from the oven, as they continue to bake on the hot sheet pan and firm up as they cool.
Must-Try Cookie Recipes from Our Kitchen
If you’ve loved these mixed nut cookies and are eager to explore more delightful baked goods, you’re in for a treat! Discover some of our other cherished cookie recipes that are sure to become new favorites:
- Irresistible Coconut Pecan Cookies
- Decadent Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Classic Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Amazing No Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mixed Nuts Cookies
Carolyn
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Electric mixer or stand mixer
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Large Bowl
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Measuring cups & spoons
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Sheet pan
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (4 ounces) room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup mixed nuts, chopped or favorite combination of nuts
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar for 2 minutes.
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Add the egg and yolk, then beat until combined.
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Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the butter mixture and beat until a cookie dough forms.
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Add the chopped mixed nuts and stir or beat until well dispersed.
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Use a cookie scoop to scoop 8 cookies onto the lined sheet pan, at least 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 11 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the middles look underdone. They will set up as they cool.
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Let the cookies cool on the sheet pan for at least 5 minutes before you move them to a cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough.
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Enjoy!
Nutrition
We truly hope you enjoy baking and devouring these incredibly satisfying mixed nut cookies as much as we do. With their perfect chew, balanced sweetness, and delightful nutty crunch, they are sure to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different nut combinations or add-ins to make them truly your own, adding your personal touch to these already fantastic treats. Happy baking, and enjoy every last delicious bite!