Cowboy cookies are oatmeal cookies stuffed with extra mix-ins like coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips. This recipe always works!
You don’t need to be a cowboy to love cowboy cookies. In fact, I’m not 100% sure that these cookies have anything at all to do with cowboys. The origin of cowboy cookies is shrouded in mystery. One online forum contributor claimed they came from a church cookbook, while another claimed they came from cowboys. You can see that laid-back debate here.
Laura Bush baked this type of oatmeal cookie to win a baking contest. She’s from Texas, so maybe there is something to the cowboy origin, after all. I like to bake my mom’s version. My mom is from Georgia, and she called them cowboy cookies, too.
They’re very similar to oatmeal cookies. The biggest difference is the mix-ins. Coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips seem to be a given. I also include raisins in mine, but you can mix, match, and substitute to your heart’s content. This recipe makes 12 big cookies.
Cowboy Cookies
Cowboy cookies are oatmeal cookies with extra mix-ins, including coconut, pecans, chocolate chips, and raisins. This recipe never fails!
Ingredients
- 7 tablespoons salted butter softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar lightly packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup pecan halves and pieces
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F and lay out two baking sheets. For easy cleanup, line the baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Beat the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together.
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Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
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Add the flour, cinnamon, and baking soda, then stir until a smooth batter forms.
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Pour in the oats, coconut, pecans, raisins, and chocolate chips. Mix well, until the mix-ins are coated in the batter and evenly distributed.
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Scoop up a golf ball-sized chunk. Form it into a ball and place it on a baking sheet, leaving two inches of space between cookies. Continue until the cookie dough is used up.
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Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove to a rack to finish cooling. Store airtight when completely cool.
Melissa Chapman says
Cowboy or not those cookies look so good I want to make them the next chance I get for the holidays.
Alli Smith says
Whenever these cookies came from, they sure do look good. I haven’t had one in a while so I really need to make yours. Yum!
Amber Myers says
These look so amazing! I’ll have to make them with my kids over the weekend. December is cookie making month after all 😉
Brianne Tursi Manz says
I sure would like to make these soon for our family Christmas get together. They look so delicious, and the prep/baking is super easy.
Denay DeGuzman says
I just made a fresh batch of these delicious Cowboy Cookies! They are beyond yummy. Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous recipe!
Beth says
These cookies look delicious! I bet they go really fast. Unfortunately, we have a few people with dietary restrictions so it wouldn’t be fair to make these for the holidays. (But I will make them later!)
Catalina says
I am sure that my family will love these cookies! I should bake them this weekend!
Lisa Favre says
I have never had cowboy cookies before but they look like something that dreams are made of! I’m a huge fan of any type of cookie so I am totally craving these now.
Rena says
They look delicious! My family would tear these up in no time. Perfect for a holiday get together.
Esther Irish says
Oh I love these cookies and haven’t had them in forever. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Kathy says
These sound so good. I love oatmeal cookies, so I’m sure I’m going to really love these. I’ve heard of them before, but never had them.
Victoria @Giveaways 4 Mom says
These do look delicious and they seem simple enough to make. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
1stopmom says
What a cute name. We do this sometimes when we bake cookies and it is always a big hit. I never knew they had an actual name!
rika says
Those cookies look yummy! I want to try this recipe soon! I love cookies.
Amber Killmon says
Oh my gosh I need these in my life now! They look absolutely delicious.
Amy H says
These look really good! I’ve never heard of cowboy cookies. I’m just entering baking season, I’ll have to try these!