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- Butter, sugars, and eggs - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract These ingredients form the base of the cookie. The butter gives it a rich flavor. The sugars add sweetness and help create a nice texture. The eggs bind everything together and add moisture. - Dry ingredients and mix-ins - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon salt - 2 cups rolled oats - 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans) - 1 cup chocolate chips - 1 cup shredded coconut The flour provides structure to the cookie. Baking soda helps it rise and become fluffy. Salt balances the sweetness. Oats add chewiness. Walnuts or pecans give a nice crunch. Chocolate chips bring sweetness, and coconut adds a tropical flair. - Optional substitutions or additions - For a nut-free option, leave out the nuts. - Use different nuts, like almonds or hazelnuts. - Swap chocolate chips for white chocolate or butterscotch. - Add spices like cinnamon for a warm flavor. These suggestions can change the cookie's taste and texture. Feel free to get creative! {{ingredient_image_1}} - First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). - Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This step keeps the cookies from sticking. - In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of brown sugar. Mix until light and fluffy. - Add 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Then, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. This adds great flavor. - In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt. - Gradually add this dry mix to your wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. Don’t over-mix. - Now, fold in 2 cups of rolled oats, 1 cup of chopped walnuts (or pecans), 1 cup of chocolate chips, and 1 cup of shredded coconut. Make sure everything is evenly mixed. - Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart. - Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Look for golden edges and soft centers. - Once baked, let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy making these delightful treats! To get the best cookies, focus on texture. You want them chewy and soft. Start by creaming the butter and sugars well. This adds air and makes them fluffy. When mixing in the eggs, beat them in one at a time. This helps the dough come together. After adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough. For cooling, let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for five minutes. This keeps them soft. Then, move them to wire racks. This helps them cool completely. If you store them, keep them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh for several days. Serve these cookies on a rustic wooden platter. This adds charm and style. Pair them with a cold glass of milk for a classic touch. To enhance flavor, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top. It adds a nice contrast to the sweetness. You can also stack them for a fun display. If you want to add more flair, try drizzling melted chocolate over the cookies. This makes them look fancy and taste even better. Add some toasted coconut flakes on top for extra crunch. These little touches make your cookies stand out. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Butter: Ensure your butter is at room temperature to achieve the perfect creamy texture when creaming with sugars. Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix just until combined after adding the dry ingredients to keep your cookies tender and chewy. Chill the Dough: For thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading. Experiment with Mix-Ins: Feel free to customize your cookies by adding dried fruits or different nuts for a unique twist on the classic recipe. {{image_2}} You can change the nuts and chocolates in your cookies. Instead of walnuts, try pecans or almonds. They add a nice crunch. For chocolate, you can use dark, milk, or white chocolate chips. Each type of chocolate brings a unique flavor. If you need a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour. Many stores sell it now. You can also try oats labeled gluten-free. This way, everyone can enjoy these cookies. Adding spices can make these cookies even better. A touch of cinnamon adds warmth. Nutmeg gives a nice, cozy taste. Just a little is enough to make a big difference. You can also customize the mix-ins. Dried fruits, like raisins or cranberries, pair well with oats. They add sweetness and chewiness. You can even throw in some nuts or seeds for extra texture. Have fun experimenting with flavors! To keep your cookies fresh, store them at room temperature. Place them in an airtight container. This helps them stay soft and tasty. Avoid putting them in the fridge. Cold air can dry them out. If you want to save cookies for later, freeze them. Wrap each cookie in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you are ready to eat them, let them thaw at room temperature. If your cookies get hard, don’t worry! You can soften them. Place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies. The moisture from the bread helps the cookies regain softness. You can also use stale cookies in other recipes. Crumble them into ice cream or mix them into yogurt. They make a delicious topping! You can even blend them into milkshakes for a fun twist. Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies are special because they mix many tasty ingredients. You get oats, chocolate chips, and nuts all in one cookie. This mix gives each bite a great texture and flavor. The recipe is rich and comforting, making it a favorite for many. Yes, you can make these cookies ahead of time. You can prepare the dough and chill it for up to three days in the fridge. Just scoop the dough onto baking sheets when you are ready to bake. You can also freeze the dough for up to three months. Simply thaw it in the fridge before baking. You can tell the cookies are done when the edges are golden brown. The center should look set but still soft. They will continue to cook a little after you take them out of the oven. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheets before moving them to wire racks. The Cowboy Cookie recipe comes from Laura Bush, the former First Lady of the United States. She shared this recipe during her time in the White House. It reflects a mix of Texas culture and home-baked goodness. The name "Cowboy" highlights the cookie's hearty, rustic appeal. In this guide, we explored the key ingredients for tasty cookies, detailed baking steps, and helpful tips. I shared ways to customize your cookies and how to store them for lasting freshness. Each part helps you make delicious cookies tailored to your taste. If you follow these steps, you will bake cookies that impress. Enjoy your baking journey and have fun experimenting with flavors!

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

Delicious and hearty 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
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
  • Fold in the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, and shredded coconut until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, and the centers are set but still soft.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

Arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden platter, and serve them with a glass of cold milk for a classic touch. Consider adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of a few cookies for an extra flavor boost!
Keyword chocolate, cookies, dessert, nuts, oatmeal