Cowboy Cookies Recipe
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on Nov 29, 2020, Updated May 08, 2025
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These chewy Cowboy Cookies are loaded with oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans — the kind of cookie that makes everyone happy. My mom always made them at Christmas, and I’ve given them a cinnamon-kissed twist I know she’d approve of.
💡 Did you know?
Cowboy Cookies had a moment in the spotlight during the 2000 presidential election when Laura Bush’s recipe beat Tipper Gore’s in Family Circle magazine’s bake-off. Her version helped make these cookies even more iconic!
What Are Cowboy Cookies?
Cowboy cookies are classic, chewy oatmeal cookies loaded with chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans — the kind of cookie that’s hearty enough to satisfy any sweet tooth.
As for the name? The origin isn’t totally clear. Some say it’s because the cookies are packed with enough energy to fuel hardworking cowboys. Others believe they were created in Texas, where cowboys are part of the culture. There’s even a theory that it’s all about size — that big cookies must be “cowboy-sized.” Personally, I think you can make any cookie big or small depending on your mood, so that last one’s a bit of a stretch.
While we may never know the true story behind the name, one thing’s for sure: they’re absolutely delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy edges, chewy center – the ultimate cookie texture
- Packed with goodies – every bite is filled with flavor and crunch
- Make-ahead friendly – dough stores great in the fridge or freezer
- Customizable – use what you have and make them your own
- Perfect for gifting or shipping – they hold up beautifully
Ingredients & Substitutions
These cowboy cookies are loaded with the perfect mix of chewy, crunchy, and chocolatey goodness. Here’s what you’ll need:
- All-purpose flour – provides structure; spoon and level for accuracy.
- Baking soda & baking powder – the combo helps create a soft, lifted cookie.
- Ground cinnamon – a warm, cozy twist that makes these stand out.
- Salt – balances sweetness and sharpens flavors.
- Unsalted butter – softened butter creates that perfect chewy texture.
- Brown sugar & granulated sugar – for depth of flavor and crispy edges.
- Eggs – bind the dough and keep it soft.
- Vanilla extract – adds a rich, aromatic base.
- Old-fashioned oats – for hearty chew (skip quick oats!).
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – a classic, melty must-have.
- Shredded sweetened coconut – adds chewiness and subtle sweetness. You can leave it out, but it’s one of the ingredients that makes these cowboy cookies extra special.
- Chopped pecans – add buttery crunch; walnuts or almonds also work.
The full list with amounts and step-by-step instructions is in the printable recipe card below!
How to Make Cowboy Cookies
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars. In another large bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
Step 4: Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing just until everything is incorporated.
Step 5: Fold in the good stuff. Using a spoon or sturdy spatula, fold in the oats, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
Step 6: Scoop and bake. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
Want bigger cookies? For hearty cowboy appetites, double the size of your dough scoops — just be sure to increase the baking time slightly. Bake until golden brown, but take care not to overbake. The goal is a cookie that’s crisp on the edges and chewy in the center.
Step 7: Bake and cool. Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Suggestions
These cowboy cookies are satisfying on their own, but here are a few delicious ways to enjoy them:
- Warm from the oven with a cold glass of milk — pure comfort.
- Sip with a cozy drink like Café de Olla, Canela Tea, or Mexican Hot Chocolate for a rich, spiced treat.
- Create a cookie box with Mexican Wedding Cookies or Biscochos.
- Love salty-sweet? Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking for that perfect contrast.
Cowboy Cookie Expert Tips & Tricks
- Make it your own – try adding chopped peanut butter cups, pretzels, or toffee bits
- Use your favorite chips. Mini or regular-sized chocolate chips both work beautifully — or use a mix for chocolate in every bite.
- Chill the dough for puffier cookies with more flavor
- Don’t overmix once you add the flour — it toughens the dough
- Use room temperature butter for better creaming
Storage Instructions
- Room temp: Store cookies in an airtight container up to 5 days
- Freeze dough: Scoop dough balls and freeze for up to 3 months
- Freeze baked cookies: They’ll last 1 month and taste fresh when warmed
Frequently Asked Questions
Cowboy Cookies are chewy oatmeal cookies loaded with chocolate chips, pecans, shredded coconut, and warm cinnamon. They’re hearty, flavorful, and packed with texture in every bite.
Some say the name comes from how hearty and filling they are — perfect for cowboys out on the trail. Others believe they originated in Texas, cowboy country itself. Wherever they came from, the name stuck!
Laura Bush’s cowboy cookie recipe became famous in 2000 when it won Family Circle magazine’s presidential bake-off, beating Tipper Gore’s gingersnaps. It gave these cookies a moment in the national spotlight — and helped make them a household favorite.
Surprisingly, it’s not Cowboy Cookies — Snoop Dogg is known to love peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies. But hey, we’d love to hear what he thinks of these!
More recipes
If you tried this Cowboy Cookies recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! I love hearing from you!
Cowboy Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups cups oats
- 10 ounces semi-sweet morsels
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
- 2/3 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and beat.
- With a spoon, fold in the oats, chocolate morsels, coconut, and pecans.
- Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350°F about 12 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Video
Notes
- Cookie size & baking time: For extra-large cookies, double the size of each dough scoop and add a few extra minutes to the bake time. Bake just until the edges are golden brown — you want the centers to stay soft and chewy.
- Don’t overbake: Cowboy Cookies should be crisp on the outside and chewy inside. Keep an eye on them in the last couple of minutes — they can go from perfect to overdone quickly.
- Chocolate chip options: Use mini chips, regular chips, or a mix of both for extra chocolate in every bite.
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Make-ahead & freeze:
- Dough: Scoop and freeze cookie dough balls on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes.
- Baked cookies: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Shipping tip: These cookies hold up well during shipping — just be sure they’re fully cooled before packing them snugly in a sturdy container.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Jenna Sparks
Recipies are delicious
Best cookies
Love them
Good for any occasion.