The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (2024)

by Ashley Manila 126 Comments

Have you been searching for The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe? THIS IS IT! Featuring coconut, pecans, cinnamon, chocolate, and oats – these cookies are thick, chewy, and so flavorful!

The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (1)

Cowboy Cookie Recipe

If there’s one thing I hope you know about me, it’s this: I AM OBSESSED WITH COOKIES!

So when a friend introduced me to Cowboy Cookies a few weeks ago, I was instantly intrigued. And a little embarrassed. Because, like… how have I never heard of these incredible cookies before? HOW?

The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (2)They’ve been around for AGES! But they really rose in popularity during the 2000 Bush-Gore presidential campaign. Do you remember this? Apparently Family Circle Mag featured recipes from each of the candidates wives, and then had their readers vote. And Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies beat all of the other submissions black and blue! Although I must confess, Tipper Gore’s Ginger Snaps look pretty darn good, too.

The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (3)

But I digress! After my brief history lesson, I basically ran to my kitchen and got to work creating my own version of these famous cowboy cookies! I used my chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies as the base. But I added coconut, cinnamon, pecans, and chocolate chips. These are signature ingredients to cowboy cookies, so that’s nothing new. Since we added more dry ingredients to this recipe, I decreased the amount of flour and added an egg yolk, which helps keep the cookie dough moist.

Cowboy Cookie Ingredients

  • butter: we’ll use brown butter because it has SO much flavor!
  • light brown sugar: But dark brown could be used in a pinch! This ingredient adds sweetness and moisture. Be sure to really pack your brown sugar into the measuring cup before adding it to the recipe.
  • granulated sugar: Because we don’t want too much moisture, we use a little granulated sugar, too.
  • eggs: Make sure your eggs are at room temperature! And that they’re large eggs – not medium or extra large. When it comes to eggs, size does matter. So using a smaller or larger variety can totally throw off a recipe.
  • vanilla extract: A generous dash enhances all of the complex flavors in this recipe.
  • flour: Our beloved binder that holds everything together. Use all-purpose flour, for best results. And be sure you’re not packing your flour into the measuring cup. For the most accurate measuring, use a kitchen scale. Or, gently spoon your flour into the measuring cup, then level it off with the flat edge of a knife.
  • baking soda: Our leavening agent, which help the cookies rise.
  • cinnamon: Adds a delightful cinnamon flavor signature to cowboy cookies.
  • salt: Balances out the flavors and ensures the cookies won’t be overly sweet. Skipping salt in baking recipes is a big mistake! The key is to use just a pinch! Trust me!
  • old-fashioned oats: AKA rolled oats! But not to be confused with steel-cut oats or instant oats.
  • shredded coconut: Use sweetened or unsweetened – up to you!
  • pecans: But walnuts can be used, if you prefer!
  • chocolate chips: or chocolate chunks! Up to you!

How to make Cowboy Cookies

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Combine butter with both sugars until light and fluffy.
  2. Then add eggs and vanilla. In a large bowl combine cinnamon, flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture, beating until just incorporated.
  3. Finally, stir the oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans.
  4. Scoop 3-inch balls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 and 1/2 inches between so they have room to spread. Note: this makes BIG cookies. Because you’re using almost 1/4 cup of cookie dough for each. For smaller cookies, decrease the size and bake time!
  5. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until cookies are golden and set at the edges and still slightly soft in the center. They’ll firm up as they cool! So don’t overbake! Cool cookies on baking sheet for 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (4)

Pin it for Later

MORE COOKIE RECIPES:

  • Chewy Ginger Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  • Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  • Coffee Cardamom Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  • Gooey Brown Butter Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Sea Salt
  • Brown Butter Coconut Chocolate Chunk Cookies

AND IF YOU TRY THIS COWBOY COOKIE RECIPE, LET ME KNOW! LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND DON’T FORGET TO SNAP A PIC AND TAG IT#BAKERBYNATUREON INSTAGRAM! SEEING YOUR KITCHEN CREATIONS MAKES OUR DAY.

The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (6)

The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe

Ashley Manila

Have you've been searching for The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe? THIS IS IT! Featuring coconut, pecans, cinnamon, chocolate, and oats - these cookies are thick, chewy, and so flavorful!

PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 11 minutes mins

Inactive Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 51 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter melted until browned.
  • 1 and 1/2 cups (319 grams) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup (99 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 and 1/3 cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (178 grams) old-fashioned oats
  • 3/4 cup (60 grams) sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1/2 cup (64 grams) pecans, roughly chopped plus more for decorating
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 (F). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

  • In a large bowl using a whisk, beat together the browned butter and both sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes. Don't worry if they look a little separated here.

  • Whisk in the eggs and yolk, beating until well combined. About 45 seconds. Whisk in the vanilla.

  • In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, oats, coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips.

  • Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.

  • Scoop 2-inch balls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2-inches between each ball so they have room to spread.

  • Bake, one sheet at a time, in preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until cookies are golden and set at the edges and still slightly soft in the center.

  • Press extra chocolate chips and pecans on top of cookies when they come out of the oven (optional). Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.

  • Cool cookies on baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tried it and loved it?Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @Bakerbynature and by using the hashtag #BakerByNature

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  1. The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (12)Michael Mack says

    The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (13)
    Good cookie. Last tray is baking as I type. Will make again. I noticed the dough was dry and crumbly. Tried mixing it more. Nothing. I ended up adding about a 1/4 cup of olive oil. It did the trick. I did squish them down ever so slightly. I also found they baked better at 15 minutes.

    Reply

  2. The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (14)Shandi Stillwell says

    The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (15)
    They were a hit at my house! I used raisins instead of coconut and i had walnuts and decided to chop those and use them. They are big and beautiful and delicious

    Reply

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The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe - Baker by Nature (2024)

FAQs

Why are my cowboy cookies flat? ›

OVEN IS TOO HOT

Oven temperatures are a crucial factor in baking. If your cookies consistently come out flat, you may have selected the wrong baking temperature. If you bake cookies using too much heat, the fats in the dough begin to melt before the other ingredients can cook together and form your cookie's rise.

What is on the cowboy cookie? ›

Cowboy cookies start with the base of a chocolate chip cookie; from there, you add bonus ingredients like oats, pecans, coconut, and cinnamon.

What makes a cookie the best? ›

The best cookies have layers of texture. A slightly crisp outer shell that holds up to some heat with an inner core that's soft and chewy. Premium cookies taste great at room temperature, straight out of the fridge or slightly heated. Creating cookies in small batches is key.

Which ingredient has the most affect on the spread of the cookie? ›

Since flour provides the bulk of the structure in a cookie, the amount you use can alter the texture of the cookie: less flour to butter ratio means thin spread out cookies; more flour to butter ratio means dense and doughy cookies that don't spread as much.

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

Light corn syrup is another ingredient that you can add to cookie dough that will help it stay softer longer. The corn syrup you buy at the grocery store is not the high-fructose corn syrup that soft drinks are made with; it's a sugar that is liquid at room temperature and helps other sugars say liquid at high heat.

How can I make my cookies fluffier instead of flat? ›

Melted butter incorporates more easily into the dough, creating a more cohesive and pliable dough. Use a mixture of baking powder and baking soda as leavening agents. Baking powder provides lift and helps create a fluffy texture, while baking soda helps to densify the cookie and create a chewier texture.

What is Snoop Dogg cookies? ›

Snoop Dogg's peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe - His original cookie features creamy peanut butter and semisweet chocolate morsels, making it the perfect indulgence this holiday season. #

What is crumble cowboy cookie? ›

A warm oatmeal cookie filled with tasty semi-sweet. chips, sweetened shredded coconut, and crunchy. toasted pecans.

Why are they called cowboy cookies? ›

Some claim cowboy cookies hail from Texas, a state many cowboys call home. Others say the treats were named for their ability to withstand long days in saddlebag. Whatever its origin, the combination of oats, chocolate, pecans, and coconut is undeniably delicious.

What is the secret to a good cookie? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  • Always use butter.
  • Choose the right sugar.
  • Choose the right flour.
  • Check your flour is in date.
  • Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  • Cream the butter and sugar.
  • Beat in the eggs.
  • Fold in the flour.

What is the best flour for cookies? ›

All-Purpose Flour: The Versatile Choice

All-purpose flour is the most commonly used flour in cookie recipes due to its moderate protein content (usually around 10-12%).

What is the most loved cookie? ›

Chocolate chip cookies

What is the most popular type of cookie? It might just be this one. Ever the crowd-pleaser, the chocolate chip cookie is renowned for its balance of richness and sweetness.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What happens if you forgot to put baking soda in cookies? ›

If you fail to add a teaspoon of baking soda or however much your recipe needs, the cookies won't have those bubbles inside them to rise up. If you forget to add the acid, too, the baking soda won't be able to react or produce carbon dioxide.

How do you fix cookies that are too flat? ›

Add an extra tablespoon of flour to the recipe and bake a batch. If they are still too flat add another tablespoon. Once you have figured out how much extra flour to add, make a note on your recipe so you do not forget!

How do I keep my cookies from going flat? ›

The baking pan should be cool when it goes into the oven. Cookies will flatten when placed on hot baking pans, so when baking batches of cookies, either swap out pans or give your one pan time to cool between batches.

Why did my cookies turn out flat and crispy? ›

Flour adds fluff and texture to the cookies. Adding too little flour can cause cookies to be flat, greasy, and crispy. Most recipes assume you'll use all-purpose, but if you want a lighter, crumblier cookie texture, choose one with a lower protein content such as cake-and-pastry flour.

How do you make cookies rise more? ›

Baking Powder. The type of leavening you use in your cookies doesn't just help them rise while baking, it affects their texture and structure too. Baking soda in cookies yields a denser cookie with craggy tops, while baking powder causes cookies to rise higher during baking for a cakier texture.

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