Cowboy Cookies are crispy, chewy oatmeal brown sugar cookies with chocolate chips, coconut and pecans that are done in less than 30 minutes!
We love Cookie Recipes including this fan favorite, Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies, and these Cowboy Cookies are a dark horse favorite that have won Christmas Cookie Exchange competitions along with the always famous Gingerbread Cookies.
Cowboy Cookies are like a kitchen sink Chocolate Chip Cookie meets Oatmeal Cookie with lots of mix-ins, or like a Monster Cookie without the peanut butter and M&Ms. They have coconut which adds a delicious chewy texture, and the brown sugar in this recipe adds a delicious brown sugar quality to the cookies too. The pecans add a crunch which makes them both chewy and crunchy like your favorite bakery cookies.
These may not be a well known type of cookie, but once your friends and family try them you’ll be requested to bring them to every event and holiday! They are easy and versatile to make for every fun celebration and almost reason to celebrate since because they’re loved so much.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are also sometimes referred to as Ranger Cookies, but the origins of these cookies actually trace back to politics! There was a cookie cook-off challenge in a Family Circle magazine issue in the early 1990s between Laura Bush when she was still a Governor’s wife and Tipper Gore, and her “Texas Governor’s Mansion Cowboy Cookie” was a favorite that beat out Tipper’s Ginger Snap Cookies. A second theory on why they are called Cowboy or Ranger Cookies is just that with so many ingredients mixed into the cookies, they’re heartier which is something cowboys who are out working would be able to appreciate.
Use a combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar in your cookie recipe like we do in this one make the best cookies. Make sure you refrigerate your cookie dough balls before baking or they can flatten and get too crispy. You can also under bake by 1-2 minutes if you find your cookies are coming out more crisp than you’d like. Finally, make sure to use a good quality baking sheet/cookie sheet.
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Tips for Making the Best Cookies
- Use a good silicone mat. This prevents excess browning on the bottom of your cookies AND means you don’t have to worry about them sticking.
- Preheat your oven well ahead of time and check the temperature with an oven thermometer.
- Store them in a good tupperware container (and include a slice of bread to keep them fresh).
- Make sure to only mix in the flour mixture until just combined to prevent flour from being over mixed.
- Use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar well until very light and fluffy before adding in any more ingredients.
How to Store Cowboy Cookies
- Serve: Once cooled enough, move to a wire rack and serve Cowboy Cookies still slightly warm or completely cooled.
- Store: Cookies should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container. They will stay good for about up to 1 week but are more forgiving than most cookies because of the added shredded coconut.
- Freeze: Freeze baked cookies with parchment layered between to prevent them from sticking to each other. Better yet, freeze the unbaked dough balls and bake fresh before serving, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter , softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar , packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup pecans , chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and to your stand mixer add the butter, sugar and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla until fully combined then sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together and add it into the stand mixer on low speed until just combined.
- Add in the oats, chocolate chips, coconut and pecans until just combined.
- Add 2 tablespoon sized scoops of dough to your baking sheets and bake for 12-13 minutes, letting them cool before removing from the baking sheets.
Video
Nutrition
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Photos used in a previous version of this post.
My cookies came out very flat. Why is this?
Use a combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar in your cookie recipe like we do in this one make the best cookies. Make sure you refrigerate your cookie dough balls before baking or they can flatten and get too crispy.
Amazing! My husband loved them and it’s hard t get him away from his regular cookies. ?
Janice, so glad he enjoyed the cookies. Cookie recipes are a favorite so if you have time maybe type in “cookie” in our recipe index to browse all the cookie recipes on the site. There is a BUNCH! And thanks for the 5 star rating 🙂
Can I he coconut be toasted before adding?
And I agree, I think the brown butter will be great!
Sure! Let us know how it turned out!
This is the best cookie recipe ever! I have gotten a million compliments on these!
Can I substitute chocolate chips with raisins?
Yes, absolutely!
I’m dying to make these, but can I leave the coconut out?
Sure
My dad absolutely loved these. My always made oatmeal raisin cookies and my dad loved those. Now when I tell Dad that I’m making cowboy cookies he says GOOD! And smiles. My dad is 74, I am 50 and my mom has passed. She cooked for my dad for 53+ years. So… Thank you for helping make my dad smile again .
Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know how it made him smile. Such a sweet gesture.
have you ever used brown butter in this recipe?
I haven’t but that sounds pretty amazing! If you decide to try it, I’d love to know how they turned out.
I made these and my cookies looked nothing like yours. I wanted them to look like yours so much.
Is the coconut sweetened or unsweetened?
Sweetened 🙂
Best Cowboy cookies ever! This recipe is a keeper
I’m glad you love them so much, Molly!
I never comment on recipes, but these are so great I had to send my thanks! Thank you for sharing this recipe. It’s a keeper!
So glad you loved it so much to leave a comment. I’m honored!
This is my kinda cookie! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Karly!
I need to make a double batch of these! Yum.
Not a bad idea!
Yum! I can’t wait to make these! The history behind the cookie is also cool and unique.
I hope you enjoy them!
These are really amazing cookies! My kids can’t wait for me to make them again!
Thanks for coming back to let me know how much you guys loved them.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
One of my new favorite cookie recipes!
Yay!! Thanks for the 5 stars.
I haven’t had a cowboy cookie in years!! Thanks for the recipe, my family loves these
Definitely time to make them again!