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To make Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies, you will need the following ingredients: - 1 cup unsalted butter (softened) - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 2 large eggs (room temperature) - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon fine salt - 2 cups rolled oats - 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans) - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut These ingredients create a mix of flavors and textures. The butter adds richness. The sugars provide sweetness and help with browning. Eggs give structure and moisture. The oats give a hearty feel, while the nuts add crunch. Chocolate chips bring sweetness, and coconut adds a tropical touch. Make sure your butter is soft. This helps it blend well with the sugars. Room temperature eggs mix in more evenly. Use fresh ingredients for the best taste. Measure everything carefully. This ensures that your cookies come out just right. {{ingredient_image_2}} - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). - Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. - In a large bowl, add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. - Use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugars. Mix until it’s light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes. - Add the eggs one by one. Mix well after each egg. Stir in the vanilla extract until smooth. - In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This step helps avoid clumps. - Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Mix on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix. - Gently fold in the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, and shredded coconut using a spatula. Make sure they are evenly mixed. - Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart. - Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Look for golden edges and a slightly soft center. - Once done, let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. - Avoiding overmixing: Mix the cookie dough just until the flour blends in. Overmixing makes cookies tough. - Testing dough consistency: The dough should be thick and slightly sticky. It should hold its shape when you scoop it. - Adjusting baking time for desired softness: Bake for 10-12 minutes. For softer cookies, check at 10 minutes. If the edges are golden, they are ready. - Using parchment paper for easy removal: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. It helps cookies lift off easily without breaking. - Serving suggestions: Place cookies on a rustic wooden platter. They look great and add charm to your table. - Garnishing ideas: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on some cookies. It enhances their flavor and makes them look fancy. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For thicker cookies, refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent excessive spreading and results in a chewier texture. Use Fresh Ingredients: Ensure your baking soda, flour, and other ingredients are fresh for the best flavor and rise. Stale ingredients can lead to flat cookies. Customize Your Mix-Ins: Feel free to swap out walnuts for pecans or add in dried fruit like cranberries or raisins for a unique twist on the classic recipe. Perfect Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. Remove them when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked for a soft and chewy cookie. {{image_4}} You can switch nuts in your Cowboy Cookies. Use pecans instead of walnuts for a sweeter taste. Pecans add a rich, buttery flavor. Walnuts have a more earthy tone. Both work well, so choose what you like best. For chocolate, you can mix and match. Use milk chocolate for a sweeter bite. Dark chocolate adds a deeper flavor. You can even use white chocolate for a fun twist. Try adding different chocolate types together for a unique treat. If you need gluten-free cookies, swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Look for one that has xanthan gum. This helps the cookies hold together. You can also use oat flour, which works great in this recipe. Want vegan cookies? Replace the butter with coconut oil. Use flax eggs instead of real eggs. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes to thicken. This will give your cookies a nice texture. Add spices to boost the flavor of your cookies. A teaspoon of cinnamon adds warmth. Nutmeg gives a nice, cozy touch. Both spices pair well with chocolate and nuts. You can also add dried fruits. Chopped raisins or cranberries add sweetness. Dried cherries bring a tart flavor that balances the sweetness. Just remember to chop them small so they mix well into the dough. To keep your cowboy cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This method locks in moisture and keeps them chewy. Place parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent sticking. For best results, enjoy them within a week. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option. You can freeze unbaked dough for later use. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze the dough balls for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag. They will last up to three months. To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely. Then, layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. You can freeze them for up to three months. Simply thaw them at room temperature when you're ready to enjoy. Cowboy cookies are big, chewy treats. They mix oats, chocolate, and nuts. You can add coconut too. These cookies have a rich flavor and a hearty texture. They are perfect for a snack or dessert. Laura Bush shared her cowboy cookie recipe in 1999. She served them at a White House event. The cookies gained fame for their taste and size. Many people loved the mix of flavors. The recipe spread quickly, making them a favorite. Yes, you can make these cookies ahead of time. The dough stays fresh in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze the dough for up to three months. When ready, bake the cookies directly from the freezer. To keep cookies from spreading, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. Use cold butter instead of softened butter. Make sure to measure the flour correctly. Too little flour can cause spreading. Avoid overmixing the dough as well. Cowboy cookies pair well with cold milk. They also taste great with coffee or tea. For a fun twist, serve them with ice cream. You can create cookie sandwiches by adding ice cream between two cookies. You learned how to make Cowboy Cookies from start to finish. We covered the key ingredients, mixing methods, and baking tips. Don't forget the fun variations and storage ideas to keep your cookies fresh! With these steps and tips, you can create a delicious treat every time. Enjoy baking and sharing these cookies with friends and family. They’ll love the taste and texture you achieve!

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

Deliciously chewy cookies packed with oats, chocolate chips, and nuts.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar, tightly packed
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans for a different flavor)
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream the mixture together until it becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed. This step helps to ensure no clumps of baking soda remain.
  • Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of the cookies.
  • Gently fold in the rolled oats, chopped walnuts (or pecans), chocolate chips, and shredded coconut using a spatula or wooden spoon. Ensure these ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop heaping spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, placing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
  • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the centers feel set but slightly soft to the touch.
  • Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Afterward, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

For a charming display, arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden platter. Serve them alongside a frosty glass of cold milk for a classic pairing. For an extra flavor twist, consider sprinkling a little flaky sea salt on top of a few cookies before serving!
Keyword chocolate, cookies, dessert, oats