This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full Disclosure Policy for details.
Jump to Recipe -
These tasty Cowboy Cookies from Laura Bush are appropriately named! Theyare hearty andfilling 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!
Can you freeze Cowboy Cookies?
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.
Can you eliminate coconut from cookies?
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. 😉
What can I use instead of pecans?
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
This hearty cookie recipe feeds a crowd, so make sure you have a big bowl and an even bigger appetite!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Chill30 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookies, baking
Servings: 60 cookies
Calories: 213kcal
Author: Nicole Burkholder
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 salt
In 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 vanilla
In 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 pecans
Stir 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
Chill the dough and use parchment paper to prevent spreading.
Yield is 5-7 dozen cookies, depending on how large you scoop them!
Nutrition
Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 161IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @simplenseasonal or tag #simplenseasonal!
Originally posted August 2012, updated
- Author
- Recent Posts
Follow me
Nicole Burkholder
Hi, I'm Nicole!I love chocolate chip cookies, good grammar, and trying new things. Pinterest is my happy place. Come follow me down the rabbit hole!
Follow me
Latest posts by Nicole Burkholder (see all)
- Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Recipe - March 14, 2024
- Oreo Chocolate Cheesecake - February 21, 2024
- Easy Crockpot Potato Soup Recipe - February 2, 2024
Pin
Share
Tweet
Yum
