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These tasty Cowboy Cookies from Laura Bush are appropriately named! They are hearty and filling and have just about everything in the pantry in them! (Really, they should be called “everything but the kitchen sink cookies.)
Years ago, the magazine Family Circle started a “political bake-off” and the wives of the presidential candidates would enter their favorite recipes to be published and then voted on by the readers. In 2000, these “Governor’s Mansion Cowboy Cookies” beat out Tipper Gore’s ginger snap recipe.
This recipe makes a lot of cookies. We’re talking a minimum of FIVE DOZEN. I was afraid that my mixing bowl wasn’t going to hold everything after I mixed the wet and dry ingredients!
Nothing can beat my all time favorite- the original chocolate chip– but Cowboy Cookies have been made more than once around here!
Just plan on baking for a while and having several dozen to give away or freeze for later!
Ingredients needed for Cowboy Cookies
- flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- salt
- butter
- sugar
- brown sugar
- eggs
- vanilla
- semisweet chocolate chips
- old-fashioned rolled oats
- sweetened coconut flakes
- chopped pecans
If at all possible, use a stand mixer for this recipe. The batter is quite thick, especially after all the extras have been added to the mix. As you can see, the bowl will be full!
For best results chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. Also, line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Cookies like parchment paper. It helps them to bake evenly and prevents sticking and spreading.
Bake, cool and then enjoy a big stack of Cowboy Cookies with a glass of milk!
Yes! You can either freeze them already baked (allow them to cool completely first) or freeze the dough.
Scoop the dough just like you would for baking, place it on a baking sheet and then put the whole thing in the freezer. Once the dough rounds are frozen, you can place them in an airtight container.
To bake frozen cookie dough, simply add the still-frozen dough to a baking sheet and cook for an extra 2-3 minutes.
Yes, if you must. I get that allergies are an issue here. But if it’s just about taste, give it a try! Coconut isn’t just added for mild sweetness-it’s also a great texture.
The cookies will work without coconut, but they won’t be the same. If you’re not sure, test it out. Then if you hate it…well, you can always make them again without coconut. 😉
Because these were Laura Bush’s “Texas Governor’s Mansion Cowboy Cookies” it only makes sense that the recipe calls for pecans. But if they aren’t your favorite nut, feel free to leave them out or replace with walnuts, almonds or even macadamia nuts.
Cowboy Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups butter (at room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 3 cups flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tbsp baking soda, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp saltIn a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- 1 1/2 cups butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, 3 eggs, 1 tbsp vanillaIn a second bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and brown sugar and cream together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Mix in the vanilla.
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes, 2 cups chopped pecansStir in the flour mixture, blending until just combined. Add the chocolate chips, oats, coconut, and pecans and stir until fully incorporated. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Drop by rounded tablespoon onto a lined baking sheet, making sure to allow plenty of room between cookies. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 1-2 minutes before placing on a cooling rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally posted August 2012, updated
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Sarah Cook says
These are the BEST cookie
Nicole Burkholder says
While a plain chocolate chip cookie will always hold the top spot in my heart, these cowboy cookies are a VERY close second 🙂
Susie Q. says
I am the “designated baker” for monthly meetings and special events for several groups I belong to. I love making these cookies — for smaller meetings, I can mix up one batch and divide it for two meetings. For bigger events, this is enough to feed everyone. And I always get rave reviews!
Nicole Burkholder says
Yes, I love how this recipe feeds a crowd but still works great if you cut it in half 🙂
Judy W says
Absolutely delicious! They are a hit wherever I take them. I remember seeing this recipe many years ago in The Washington Post at Christmastime. They would featured cookie recipes from famous/semi-famous people. I’ve always wanted to try Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookie recipe and so glad I found it here and did! Thanks for the recipe!
Amanda says
I loved these cookies! I had to adapt them for gluten free and I reduced the overall sugar content by using less than half the chocolate and using unsweetened coconut. they are super yummy! thanks for the recipe. I will make these again and again!
Nicole Burkholder says
It’s always nice when you find a recipe that works well with adaptations! Glad you enjoyed them.
Cara @ Craftdictator says
These look yummy! I went over and pinned them!
Nicole Burkholder says
Thanks so much!