Texas Cowboy Cookies

If you've never had a Cowboy Cookie, y'all, let me tell you...you're missing out on one of Texas' best kept dessert secrets!

These oversized, flavor-packed chewy cookies are like a little slice of the Wild West, loaded with hearty ingredients that could fuel a long day on the range (or, let's be real, just a long afternoon of wrangling kids and replying to work emails).

Cowboy Cookies have been around for decades, often linked to ranchers and cowboys who needed a high energy snack that could hold up during long cattle drives, (hence the name Cowboy Cookie). Made with a base of oats, chocolate chips, pecans, shredded coconut, (and sometimes cinnamon), these cookies deliver a chewy, buttery, nutty bite with just the right amount of crunch. 

They became even more famous when a presidential candidates wife (former first lady Laura Bush) won a presidential bake-off with the cowboy cookie recipe back in 2000. (Yes, I promise that's a thing, and yes, she won). But, what really makes these cookies special is their versatility. They're perfect with a cold glass of milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or even crumbled over vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert. 

Want to take it up a notch? Pair them with a warm mug of Texas-style Pecan coffee for the ultimate Southern comfort experience.

How These Cowboy Cookies Are Different (Urban Cowgirl Cookies)

The Urban Cowgirl recipe goes a step further with a SECRET INGREDIENT. 

I’m not big on nuts or coconut, so to add that perfect crunch and texture, I swapped them out for cornflake cereal in these cowboy cookies! Honestly, with that clever twist, maybe we should be calling them CowGIRL Cookies instead. 😉

This unexpected crunch always sparks conversation at potlucks and holiday gatherings—people can’t help but guess what the secret ingredient is! (Spoiler: it’s the cornflakes.) We also throw in butterscotch chips alongside the chocolate chips because, let’s be honest, double the flavor = double the fun, and no one should have to choose between the two.

So, whether you're baking a batch for a backyard barbecue, a rodeo themed party, or just because your sweet tooth is calling, these Texas Cowboy cookies are guaranteed to be a hit! Let's round up these yummy ingredients and get to baking.

Basic Steps for Making Texas Cowboy Cookies

Making Texas Cowboy Cookies is all about layering flavors and textures to create a hearty, chewy, and downright addictive treat. Here's a step-by-step breakdown just for you:

1. Gather your ingredients!
   • Wet Ingredients
     • Butter (softened) [unsalted butter]
     • Eggs
     • Vanilla Extract
   • Dry Ingredients
     • Dark Brown Sugar & Granulated White Sugar
     • All-purpose Flour
     • Baking Soda & Baking Powder
     • Cinnamon (optional but recommended!)
     • Salt
     • Old-fashioned Oats
     • Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or dark work the best!)
     • Butterscotch Chips
     • Cornflake Cereal
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy. This helps create that perfect chewy texture.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients
   • Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. 
     • This keeps everything smooth and well-blended.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients
   • In a separate bowl (a medium bowl or large bowl works perfect), work together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Slowly mix this into the wet ingredients.
     • You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer (if using a stand mixer, be sure to stay on a medium speed of the mixer)
5. Fold in that Good Stuff
   • Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and cornflakes at a medium speed. This step is where Cowboy Cookies get their signature texture, chewy, crunchy, and packed with chocolate flavor!
6. Scoop & Baked
   • Drop large spoonful's of cookie dough balls onto parchment paper laid out on baking sheets, spacing them out so they don't spread into each other. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft.
7. Cool & Enjoy!
   • For best results, let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy them warm with milk or coffee (or, crumble them over vanilla ice cream for a Texas-sized treat!

Tips & Substitutions for Texas Cowboy Cookies

Tips

• Use Room Temperature Butter & Eggs
  • This helps create a smooth, even dough for the perfect chewy texture
• Chill the dough (Optional but Recommended)
  • If you want thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour (1 hour should be enough time!) before baking
• Don't overbake!
  • The edges should be golden, but the centers should look slightly underbaked! They'll set as they cool
• Try a Finishing Touch
  • A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt or an extra drizzle of melted chocolate can take these ranger cookies to the next level
• Want a larger Texas-sized cookie?
  • You want a jumbo cookie instead of a medium sized cookie? Use a larger cookie scoop and bake for 14-16 minutes instead

Best Ways to Store Texas Cowboy Cookies

Cowboy Cookies are best when they stay chewy, fresh, and full of flavor, so here's how to properly store them:

• At Room Temperature (Best for 3-5 Days)
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
  • To keep them soft, place a slice of bread in the container
    • The cookies will absorb the moisture from the bread instead of drying out!
• In the Refrigerator (Best for up to 10 Days!)
  • If you live in a hot or humid area (looking at y'all Texans!), the fridge helps prevent them from getting too soft or greasy
  • Store in an airtight container or resealable bag
    • Let them come to room temp before eating!