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.
| Servings | Prep Time | Cook Time |
| 24cookies | 15minutes | 12minutes |
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 24cookies | 15minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 12minutes |
- 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 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 freerange egg
- 2 tbsp full fat milk or dairy free option
- 1/2 tsp Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste
|
Ingredients
Servings: cookies
Units:
|
- 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.
Eshaness lighthouse from da grind o’da navir, Shetland Islands
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.
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Sophie's Nursery says
These look & sound divine!! Really lovely to read a story to go with your recipe too 🙂
Heather Haigh says
Great recipe for packing on our days out, must have a go at these.
Candace says
Oh wow. The scenery is just truly spectacular and the cookies looks so tasty too
Camilla says
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!
Daphne Goh says
The landscapes in your photos look absolutely stunning and picture perfect. Healthy and delicious cookies plus adventure, what a fantastic trip.
Carol Cassara says
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!
Carol Cassara recently posted…We are one people
TColeman says
These look so delicious! Oatmeal cookies are one of my favorites.
Sondra Barker says
These cookies look so warming and yummy! The cliffs are breathtaking as well!
Elizabeth O. says
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!
WhatLauraLoves says
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
Jill Conyers says
I love trail mix cookies. I have a few recipes packed full of my favorite trail mix ingredients.
Hey Sharonoox says
Great post! Love to read both adventure and food all in one post. The pictures looks amazing and the cookies delicious.
Debra @ Traveling Well For Less says
LOVE the structure of this post. How you weaved in a story with your cookie recipe. And that lunch box, TO DIE FOR!
dena jayne says
These look like such a healthy snack! I love nuts! Looks like you had a good time xo
Ana De- Jesus says
This really does look like the best family adventure trip ever! Those oatmeal cookies look divine but most of all the photos are spellbinding.
KatrinaJeanCarter says
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 🙂
Jackie Taylor says
Those cookies look so good! Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂
Wendy Polisi says
Fantastic! Christmas is not complete without these fantastic cookies! It looks good!
My Teen Guide says
This is looks fantastic! I’ll make this on Christmas eve!
Davena Ma says
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!
Wren says
Those pictures look amazing. I will have to give them a try really soon. I love your photos, seems like quiet the adventure.
Heidi J Fowler says
Those cookies look fantastic, and wow! You live in such a beautiful place!
michelle says
Wow! What a great idea! Love the photos by the way.
Isaly Holland says
The cookies look amazing! I love the detail of the recipe and the photos you posted.
xoxo
Isaly Holland
http://www.memoriesbyisaly.com
Chloe says
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!
AMANDA says
Looks delicious!!
The London Mum says
Those cookies look amazingly delicious! Perfect for a days adventuring!
Angela Tolsma says
WOW this place looks stunning!!
Mihaela Echols says
Well hello beautiful. These cookies look so amazing!!!!
Viktoria Brzeska says
These photos are amazing! I want to join to this view and eat your cookies! I must try your recipe after christmas :)!
solange says
Such a good initiative from VW gives us the opportunity to dream of places far far away :))
thanks for sharing
Amber Myers says
These cookies look so delicious! I need to add them to my list of ones to make!
Amber Myers recently posted…12 Reasons Why You Should Check Out Sea World During The Holidays
Jacqui Odell says
These cookies sound so yummy! It’s even better that they are chewy.
Evelina says
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.
Brigette says
This recipe sounds AMAZING! I will bef be saving this!
Leah LS says
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