The Perfect Cowboy Cookies Recipe: Rustic & Sweet Treats

Every baker’s dream comes alive with these irresistible cowboy cookies that blend crunchy textures and sweet surprises.

Chocolate chips dance alongside hearty oats in a symphony of flavor.

Crisp edges give way to soft, chewy centers that melt in you.

Rolled with pecans and coconut, these treats carry a rustic charm straight from grandma’s kitchen.

Generations have treasured this simple yet spectacular recipe passed down through family gatherings.

Clusters of ingredients promise a delightful adventure waiting to be savored.

Jump into baking and let these cookies become your new weekend favorite.

Cowboy Cookies to Enjoy

• Burst with Delightful Complexity: Packed with an irresistible combination of chocolate chips, oats, coconut, and pecans, these cookies deliver a symphony of textures and flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Master a Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual get-togethers, these cowboy cookies guarantee smiles and requests for seconds from both kids and adults.
• Embrace Baking Adventure: Designed for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe offers a forgiving process that allows you to customize with additional mix-ins or swap ingredients to match your preferences.
• Indulge in Comfort and Nostalgia: These hearty cookies channel a rustic, homemade charm that reminds you of grandma's kitchen, bringing warmth and comfort with every delectable bite.

Ingredients for Cowboy Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient that provides structure to the cookie.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and achieve a soft, tender texture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the cookies.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the cookies.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base for the cookie dough.
• Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a soft, chewy texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, sweet flavor to the cookies.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Extra Chocolate Chips: Deliver rich chocolate flavor and delightful texture to the cookies.
• Rolled Oats: Give the cookies a hearty, rustic texture and nutty flavor.
• Shredded Coconut: Adds a tropical sweetness and interesting texture.
• Chopped Pecans: Provide a crunchy element and nutty taste to the cookies.

How to Bake Cowboy Cookies

Step 1: Blend Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until perfectly combined. Set this magical mixture aside for later.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Fire up your electric mixer and beat unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a smooth, creamy dream.

Step 3: Mix Eggs and Vanilla

Drop in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.

Scrape down the bowl’s sides to ensure every bit gets incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Flour Mixture

Slowly add the dry ingredients to your creamy base.

Mix gently until just combined – no overmixing allowed!

Step 5: Fold in Delicious Extras

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Rolled oats
• Shredded coconut
• Chopped pecans

Fold everything together with a wooden spoon for maximum cookie goodness.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl and pop it in the refrigerator for one hour. This helps create the perfect cookie texture.

While chilling, warm up your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit during the last 15 minutes.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Balls

Scoop out dough using a 3-tablespoon measure.

Roll into balls and press extra chocolate chips on top for extra yumminess.

Step 8: Prepare Baking Sheet

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Arrange 12 dough balls, keeping them 2 inches apart. Stash remaining dough in the fridge.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slightly flatten the dough balls. Bake for 13-16 minutes until edges are set and bottoms are golden brown with centers still looking slightly soft.

Step 10: Cool and Store

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container for maximum freshness.

Pro Tips for Cowboy Cookies

• Chill the dough for at least an hour to prevent excessive spreading and enhance flavor development during baking.
• Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Try different nuts like walnuts or almonds for unique flavor variations.
• Press extra chocolate chips on top of each cookie ball for a more visually appealing and chocolatey result.
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.

Variations to Try on Cowboy Cookies

• Gluten-Free Cowboy Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Cowboy Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of chicken eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based version.
• Nut-Free Cowboy Cookies: Eliminate pecans and replace with sunflower seeds or additional chocolate chips for those with nut allergies while maintaining the cookie's robust flavor.
• Low-Sugar Cowboy Cookies: Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and incorporate less chocolate chips to create a more health-conscious cookie option.

Pairing Ideas with Cowboy Cookies

• Rich medium-roast Colombian coffee cuts through the cookie's sweetness, enhancing the chocolate and pecan notes with its bold flavor profile.
• Cold glass of whole milk provides creamy contrast, softening the cookie's robust texture while balancing its sweet-nutty complexity.
• Tawny port wine matches the cookie's warmth, delivering caramel undertones that harmonize with the chocolate and brown sugar elements.
• Late-harvest Riesling offers honeyed sweetness that beautifully highlights the coconut and pecan nuances in these hearty cowboy cookies.

Storage Tips for Cowboy Cookies

• Store cooled cowboy cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep them refrigerated for up to 5 days, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
• Portion uncooked dough balls onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Frozen dough keeps perfectly for 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to original baking time.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen baked cookies maintain quality for 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

FAQs

• Why are they called Cowboy Cookies?

These cookies got their name from their hearty, rustic ingredients like oats, pecans, and chocolate chips that were easy to pack and could sustain cowboys during long cattle drives.

• Can I substitute the nuts in the recipe?

Yes, you can replace pecans with walnuts or almonds if you prefer. If you have nut allergies, simply omit them entirely without changing other ingredients.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden brown edges and a slightly soft center. The cookies should appear set but not completely hard when you remove them from the oven.

• Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough helps prevent cookies from spreading too much and allows flavors to develop. It also makes the dough easier to handle and creates a better texture in the final cookie.

Cowboy Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 41 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Classic cowboy cookies combine hearty oats, chocolate chips, and pecans for a rustic Texas-style treat. These robust cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors that satisfy cookie enthusiasts seeking comfort and indulgence.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 3/4 cups (248 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (340 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups (184 g) rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups (140 g) moist shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 1/4 cups pecans (toasted and chopped)
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl until uniformly blended. Reserve this dry mixture for later use.
2. Using an electric mixer, cream butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
3. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, then add vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Gently fold the prepared dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to prevent overmixing.
5. Fold in chocolate chips, rolled oats, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Mix carefully to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the dough.
6. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour to enhance flavor and make handling easier. Preheat oven to 350°F during the final 15 minutes of chilling.
7. Roll dough into 3-tablespoon balls, pressing additional chocolate chips onto the surface of each cookie sphere.
8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange cookie dough balls 2 inches apart. Keep remaining dough chilled.
9. Slightly flatten each dough ball before baking. Bake for 13-16 minutes until edges are set and bottoms are golden brown, with centers remaining slightly soft.
10. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Continue baking remaining dough in batches.
11. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and texture.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development, allowing cookies to maintain a thick, chewy texture.
• Toast pecans beforehand to intensify their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile in the cookies.
• Experiment with alternative mix-ins like dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, or different nuts to customize the recipe to personal preferences.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure even baking and prevent cookies from sticking to the pan.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg