These fully loaded Cowboy Cookies are scrumptious treats filled with chocolate chips, oatmeal, chopped pecans, and coconut. They are slightly crispy on the outside and soft with just a touch of chewy on the inside. These sweet treats are quick to come together and packed full of tasty goodies for flavor and texture. These popular cookies were inspired by former first lady Laura Bush who won a political bake-off against Tipper Gore’s ginger snap cookies organized by Family Circle Magazine.
I just love cookies. I think perhaps some people might refer to me as the cookie monster. These delicious Cowboy Cookies are one of my favorites. You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to four days, or you can freeze the dough for up to three months.
How Do You Make Cowboy Cookies?
First, grab a bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Next, using a stand mixer or hand-held mixer on medium speed, cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and mix just until combined. Mix in the vanilla and add the flour mixture in about three parts. Continue mixing until combined, scraping down the bowl and beaters as you go.
Stir in the chocolate chips, rolled oats, chopped pecans, and flaked coconut if desired. Scoop the cowboy cookie dough onto parchment-covered baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned on the bottom. Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes before moving them to cookie-cooling racks.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. In a stand mixer at level 4, it will take about 3 minutes.
- Soften the butter at room temperature until slight pressure leaves an indentation.
- Warm the eggs to room temperature. This will take about 30 minutes.
- Old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, provide a chewier texture with more flavor than quick oats.
- For best results, use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. It promotes even baking, reduces spreading,
- Use good quality chocolate, and if at all possible, chop the pecans yourself.
- Resist the urge to overbake the cookies. Cook until just very lightly browned.
- Coconut is a great addition to these cookies. It adds a lot of flavor and moisture, so if you like it, go for it. My teenagers are not fond of coconut, so I choose to leave it out this time.
- Other add-ins you might include are dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, figs, or dates.
- You can substitute other nuts like walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or macadamia nuts.
- If you go over the top with add-ins (as I always do) after dropping them on the baking sheet, press down gently with the palm of your hand.
- Store the baked cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to four days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Other cookie recipes you will love!
Cowboy Cookies
Cowboy Cookies are scrumptious treats filled with chocolate chips, oatmeal, coconut, and chopped pecans. They are slightly crispy on the outside and soft with just a touch of chewy on the inside.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 dozen cookies
- Category: cookies
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs warmed to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup shredded coconut (optional but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt; set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream butter, and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time; mix just until combined. Mix in the vanilla and add the flour mixture in 3 parts. Continue mixing until combined, scraping down the bowl and beaters as you go.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, rolled oats, chopped pecans, and shredded coconut (optional). Drop by rounded 1 1/2 tablespoons onto parchment-covered baking sheets. Press down just a tad with the palm of your hand. Bake until lightly browned; 9-11 minutes. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes before moving them to cookie-cooling racks.
Notes
- Cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. In a stand mixer at level 4, it will take about 3 minutes.
- Soften the butter at room temperature until slight pressure leaves an indentation.
- Warm the eggs to room temperature. This will take about 30 minutes.
- Old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, provide a chewier texture with more flavor than quick oats.
- For best results, use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. It promotes even baking, reduces spreading,
- Use good quality chocolate, and if at all possible, chop the pecans yourself.
- Resist the urge to overbake the cookies. Cook until just very lightly browned.
- Coconut is a great addition to these cookies. It adds a lot of flavor and moisture, so if you like it, go for it. My teenagers are not fond of coconut, so I choose to leave it out this time.
- Other add-ins you might include are dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, figs, or dates.
- You can substitute other nuts like walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or macadamia nuts.
- If you go over the top with add-ins (as I always do) after dropping them on the baking sheet, press down gently with the palm of your hand.
- Store the baked cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to four days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Keywords: cookies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, cowboy cookies, cowboy cookie recipe, cookie recipe
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
J Thomas
Used butter flavored Crisco instead of butter and Bob’s Red Mill Muesli cereal for oats and turned out pretty darn good!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip. I will spread the word!
Allyson
Delicious! I made them for Super Bowl Sunday – we can’t stop eating them!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Allyson! So glad that you like the cowboy cookies!
Shelley
Wow! So good! Personally, I like a smaller cookies so will do that next time. Adding Craisins/raisins sounds like a great idea. I wonder how they would be with peanut butter? Yum!!
J
We added a cup of cranberries to our batch as my husband remembered a recipe calling for them. And omg still so good!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you liked them!
Stephanie
I love a nice chunky cookie recipe. These have so many different flavors and textures.
★★★★★
Judy
I made this for my cookie party. Everyone was saying that it’s not sweet enough.
Tayler
This is my new favorite cookie recipe! So many awesome ingredients and so much delicious flavor!
★★★★★
Kim
I’m going to try these for the cookie exchange. I’ve been looking for a unique recipe and I think these will be a big hit!
★★★★★
Mirlene
Made these cookies the other day and my kids enjoyed them. They loved the pecans and the coconut.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Mirlene! I am so glad that the kids enjoyed them!
Kathleen
Wow, these sound fabulous! Love that they have coconut and pecans in them.
★★★★★
Lydia Franko
Made these for the first time today. Excellent! Thanks for the great directions.They will be added to my saved cookies list.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Lydia! So glad that you liked them!
Carla
Could I add raisins to this recipe? If so how much could I add?
Beth Pierce
Yes you sure can! Maybe 1/3 to 1/2 cup.
Ntensibe Edgar
Nnniiiccceeee….I live for cookies! I must try out a serving of these with my chai mukalu. Thanks for sharing about them.
Thena Franssen
Wow, this looks like something great for Christmas! This is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Fransic verso
This looks yummy and we have everything to make it. Would love to give it a try. Thank you for sharing!
briannemanz
I’ve never heard of cowboy cookies before but this is worth a try. I think the kids will love it
★★★★★
Cinny
Those look yummy! I think they’re filled with good healthy ingredients too!
April
I have never heard of cowboy cookies but oh my goodness they sound amazing! Pecans are my fav! I will definitely be trying this soon!
★★★★★
Matt Taylor
These Cowboy cookies look absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to try them out.
★★★★★
Elise Ho
These are definitely a treat. They are rich and delicious. Obviously they were extremely popular
★★★★★
Joann Perez
Just made this DELISH!!! everyone loved them will definitely be making again 😁👏👏👏👏😍🥰
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Joann! So glad that everyone enjoyed it!!
Robyn Staebler
So yummy! I substituted coconut oil for butter. Wow! Loved the flavor!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip Robyn!
Nancy
These cookies are so yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I bake for some of the ladies at my church and these cookies were requested after the first time I shared them.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Nancy! So glad that they liked them!
Toni
I really loved how easy this is to make! I’m definitely making it again!
★★★★★
Trang
I love that these are crispy but super chewy and soft in the inside. They’re not super fancy but they’re homey and always a hit with my family!
★★★★★
Suzy
These cookies are everything! They have so much flavor! We had a great time baking them in the kitchen with the kids!
★★★★★
Mindy
Hubby just mixed up a batch! Can’t wait to try them!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Mindy! I wish my husband would mix up some cookies! LOL!!
Beth Pierce
Sounds delicious! Thanks for the tip and glad that you liked them!
Toni
This is really good! My kids loved these cookies!
★★★★★
Beth Sachs
All of my favourite things in one cookie. What a great recipe!
★★★★★
Claudia Lamascolo
coconut pecans and chocolate? I just really love them all and those photos make me want to dive right into those cookies ALL OF THEM!
★★★★★
Shelley
I love how cowboy cookies blend chocolate, oatmeal and pecans – classic and delicious combo! My family would love these!
★★★★★
Pam
I love cookies too! A great way to satisfy that sweet tooth with just a few bites. Chocolate and pecans are a match made in heaven!
★★★★★
Virginia
Can you freeze these?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can. I double wrap in freezer bags and thaw in the fridge or take them out of the packaging and thaw them on counter.
Merranda
Can you use quick oats in this recipe?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can.
Kyla
Can you refrigerate overnight?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can! Happy Baking!
Kristy
I made 1/2 the recipe with coconut and 1/2 without, since a lot of people are not fond of it. I just baked half and then added the coconut to the remaining half of the dough. I taste tested one of each and they both came out great!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Kristy! So glad that you liked them!!
Peggy
Delicious! I used white chocolate chips because It’s what I had on hand and added cinnamon because my husband loves it. Thank you.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Great ideas. I love a cook that can improvise! So glad that you liked them!
Krissy Allori
These are a favorite at my house. We love that you get a little bit of everything in them. So good!
★★★★★
Connie
Before stumbling here I’ve always heard of cowboy cookies but didn’t know exactly what it was. But this here is everything I could ask for in a cookie – chocolate, oatmeal and pecans… LOVE it!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Connie! So glad that you liked them!!
Lisalia
Well these were delicious. A great way to use up some baking staples on hand – with being quarantined in my state and all… (thanks Coronavirus!) Fun to make with my kids – and so awesome to see how proud they feel baking and eating their creations. Thanks for easy to follow instructions. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes!
★★★★★
Kristyn
Love cowboy cookies!! I love the coconut in them, too! These are always a hit!
★★★★★
Mike S.
These are my new favorite!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Mike! So glad that you enjoy them!
Roberta
Rolled oat s is that quick oats?
Beth Pierce
No rolled oats are old fashioned oats.
Beth Pierce
I use old fashioned oats but you could use quick oats.
Vanessa
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
Suzanne
This looks so good! What a great way to switch it up from the typical chocolate chip cookies!
Taylor
I love these cookies! Full of so much goodness!
★★★★★
Donna
I am going to try this recipe! Can you use steel cut oats?
Beth Pierce
I don’t think steel cut oats would work in these.
Tammy
I used steel cut Oatmeal and it worked. I also added 1/4 cup water. Came out delish and chewy. I didn’t want them crunchy.
★★★★★
katerina @ diethood.com
OH my, these cookie sound SO yummy!! My kids would love them!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Katerina! I hope they enjoy them!
Erin
These would disappear in our house! I love these so much!!!
★★★★★
Vik
These look so good, and it sounds like the kids would just love them! Definitely making a batch of these
★★★★★
Demeter
These are so yummy! The perfect mash up of all of my favorite cookies.
★★★★★