Peanut Butter Trail Mix Milkshake

Nearly everyone has their ideal bite of trail mix--what flavors they’d like each bite to embody.  Me? My perfect trail mix blend has at least one raisin & one M&M in each bite.  

In order to achieve my perfect blend, I’ve started making my own trail mix.  Plus, many of the pre-packaged trail mix varieties I’ve seen in stores are not gluten free.  After just a couple of batches, my trail mix has easily become one of my favorite snacks.

Trail mix is easily portable.  I pack large mason jars of it when we’re traveling; and I often recycle the nut containers from making the trail mix, filling each & carrying the small ones in my purse for an on-the-go snack.  I don’t always know what sorts of food will be available when I go different places, so having my own delicious, satisfying, portable gluten free snack is a must!

Even I was workshopping and visiting Birmingham, AL, I carried trail mix with me.  One day, after lunch, we had the most divine peanut butter milkshakes for dessert. On a whim, I added a handful of trail mix to my milkshake--oh, my goodness, what a great decision that was!

Since returning home, I’ve made yet another batch of trail mix & still have not been able to get the thought of that peanut butter milk shake with trail mix out of my head.  I thought I’d re-create it, only adding some trail mix during the actual milkshake production.

A few words of caution... Make sure your trail mix is fresh (or else the raisins will be especially rock hard).  Process the milkshake for long enough to ensure the ingredients are well blended--if you’re especially lucky, you’ll have a high speed blender like a Blendtec. Use a really creamy peanut butter (this is not the application for a more “natural” peanut butter.)  I like to use bubble tea straws, just in case there are any pieces of trail mix that don’t get properly chopped in the blender.  And make more than you think is necessary--it’s that delicious!

Homemade Trail Mix
This is my preferred ratio & is also based by how I have been able to find the ingredients packaged.  By all means, feel free to play with the amounts according to your taste preferences & ingredient packaging.  

14 oz bag/ 2 c  milk chocolate M&Ms
6 oz/ 1 heaping cup Whole Almonds (lightly salted) 
12 oz/ 2.5 cups Peanuts (roasted & salted) 
4 oz/1 c Pepitas
11 oz/ 2c Raisins
8 oz/ little less than 2c Cashews (halves & pieces) 

1. In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients. 
2. Store in airtight containers, like the actual nut containers or jars or plastic bags.  I like to re-use the nut containers & use large glass mason jars.  
3. The mix will keep for several weeks, if it isn’t eaten already!  

Peanut Butter Trail Mix Milkshakes
yields 1 milkshake 

1/2 c Trail Mix, plus more for garnish
2 Tbl Creamy Peanut Butter
1 Tbl chocolate sauce
1 c Vanilla Ice Cream, slightly softened (120 g) 
1/4 to 1/2 c Milk  

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender, with the trail mix on the bottom. 
2. Blend until all the ingredients are smooth & have combined completely.
3. Pour into a glass, add a straw & a little more trail mix as garnish.  Serve immediately!