Cowboy Cookies are the ultimate dessert for cookie lovers who crave a little bit of everything! Packed with hearty oats, chocolate chips, crunchy pecans, and a hint of coconut, these cookies strike the perfect balance between chewy and crunchy. Whether youโre baking for a crowd or enjoying a cozy treat at home, these cookies are sure to become a favorite.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Loaded with texture and flavor: Each bite is a delightful mix of oats, chocolate, nuts, and coconut.
- Perfect for sharing: These cookies are ideal for bake sales, potlucks, or gifting.
- Easy to customize: Swap out ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs.
- Keeps well: These cookies store beautifully, making them great for prepping ahead.
Ingredients
(Tip: Youโll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Rolled oats
- Sweetened shredded coconut
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Chopped pecans
Directions
- Preheat your ovenย to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in the oats, coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans.
- Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes approximately 24-30 cookies.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10-12 minutes
- Total time: 25-30 minutes
Variations
- Nut-free: Replace pecans with sunflower seeds or omit them altogether.
- Add dried fruit: Mix in dried cranberries or raisins for a fruity twist.
- Different chips: Substitute white chocolate or peanut butter chips for the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and ensure oats are certified gluten-free.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. To freeze dough, scoop it into balls and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag.
- Reheating: Warm cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds for a freshly baked feel.
FAQs
1. Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes, but the texture may be slightly less chewy.
2. How can I make these cookies less sweet?
Reduce the amount of granulated sugar and brown sugar by about 1/4 cup each.
3. Can I substitute butter with margarine?
Yes, but the flavor and texture might differ slightly.
4. Do I have to include coconut?
No, you can omit it if youโre not a fan of coconut.
5. Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts make a great substitute.
6. How do I make smaller cookies?
Use a smaller cookie scoop and reduce the baking time to 8-10 minutes.
7. What if my dough is too sticky to handle?
Chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before scooping.
8. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double all ingredients and bake in batches as needed.
9. Whatโs the best way to measure flour for this recipe?
Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife.
10. Can I add a pinch of espresso powder for flavor?
Yes, a small amount of espresso powder can enhance the chocolate flavor.
Conclusion
Cowboy Cookies are a classic treat thatโs as versatile as it is delicious. Packed with a medley of delightful ingredients, these cookies are perfect for any occasion, from casual snacks to festive celebrations. Try this recipe and discover why Cowboy Cookies have been a beloved favorite for generations!
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Cowboy Cookies
Description
Cowboy Cookies are hearty, flavorful treats loaded with oats, chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut. They gained national fame when First Lady Laura Bushโs recipe won Family Circleโs cookie bake-off during the 2000 presidential election
Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Wet Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Mix-ins:
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Set the oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugars:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add granulated and brown sugars, beating until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in Mix-ins:
- Stir in oats, coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Portion Dough:
- Drop ยผ-cup-sized dough portions onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- For chewier cookies, bake until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Cool:
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Storage:
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
- Customization:
- Feel free to substitute walnuts for pecans or add dried fruit like cranberries for variation.
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