The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe (Soft & Chewy)
If you’re looking for the best cowboy cookies recipe, you’ve found it. These oversized cookies are thick, chewy, buttery, and packed with old-fashioned oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and crunchy pecans. Every bite is full of flavor, and they stay wonderfully soft when they’re baked just right.
This recipe has become one of those treasured favorites in our family. In fact, I had completely forgotten about it until a sweet friend served these cookies at a Bible study. She even had my handwritten recipe with the little notes I’d made over the years. One bite reminded me exactly why I loved them so much.
The funny part? My husband insisted he doesn’t like coconut. But after trying one of these cookies, he went back for more! The coconut simply adds incredible texture and moisture without overpowering the flavor.
Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, church event, holiday cookie exchange, or simply stocking your freezer with homemade treats, these cowboy cookies are always a hit.
Cowboy Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Place parchment paper on baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set to the side for later.3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp. baking powder, 1 tbsp. baking soda, 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon , 1 tsp. salt
- In a large bowl, beat butter together until creamy.1 stick butter, softened, 1 Crisco Butter flavored baking stick
- Gradually beat in the sugars and combine thoroughly.1½ cups white granulated sugar, 1½ cups packed light brown sugar
- Add in the eggs one at a time, beating after each one.3 eggs
- Beat in vanilla.1 tbsp. vanilla
- Stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, oats, coconut, and pecans.2 cups semi-sweet baking chips or chunks, 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, 2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts (8 oz.)
- For each cookie, drop ¼ cup of dough onto ungreased prepared baking sheet, spacing 3 in. apart.
- Bake for 12 minutes and then watch them closely for about 1 more minute at the most.
- Take them out and let them rest on the pan for 5 minutes. Finish cooling on a rack and enjoy!
Why You’ll Love These Cowboy Cookies
- Thick, bakery-style cookies
- Soft and chewy centers
- Loaded with chocolate chips, oats, pecans, and coconut
- Easy to freeze for later
- Perfect for parties, bake sales, and gift giving
- Makes a large batch
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 Crisco Butter Flavor Baking Stick, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1½ cups packed brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, morsels, or chocolate chunks
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts (about 8 ounces)
How to Make Cowboy Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Salt
Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the butter and sugars
In another large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and Crisco Butter Flavor Baking Stick until smooth and creamy.
Gradually beat in both the white sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add the eggs
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Combine the wet and dry ingredients
Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined.
Do not overmix.
Step 6: Fold in the mix-ins
Gently stir in:
- Chocolate chips
- Rolled oats
- Coconut flakes
- Chopped pecans
The dough will become quite thick, so add the mix-ins a little at a time, stirring between additions to make everything easier to combine.
Step 7: Bake
Using a ¼-cup measuring cup or large cookie scoop, drop the dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing the cookies about 3 inches apart.
Bake for 12 minutes, then begin watching them closely. They may need only another minute, but often they’re ready right around the 12-minute mark.
The cookies will continue setting as they cool.
Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Tips for Perfect Cowboy Cookies
- Don’t overbake. The cookies should look just barely done when you remove them from the oven. They’ll continue cooking as they cool, giving you soft, chewy cookies instead of dry ones.
- Use chocolate chunks. Chocolate chunks create big pockets of melted chocolate that are especially delicious in these oversized cookies.
- Stir gradually. Because this is a heavy dough, adding the oats, coconut, nuts, and chocolate chips a little at a time makes mixing much easier.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Cleanup is easier, and the cookies release beautifully.
Storage Tips
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.
The cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking.
You can also freeze the dough for later. Simply portion the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen by adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely. Either pecans or walnuts work wonderfully in this recipe.
Can I make smaller cookies?
Yes. Simply use a smaller cookie scoop and reduce the baking time by several minutes.
Time to Be a Doer & Make Cowboy Cookies Today!
There is something comforting about pulling a tray of warm homemade cookies from the oven. These cowboy cookies are hearty, rich, and packed with everything that makes a homemade cookie special.
They’re the kind of recipe you make once and find yourself coming back to year after year. Whether you’re sharing them with friends after Bible study, bringing them to a family gathering, or enjoying one with a cup of coffee on a quiet afternoon, I hope they become a favorite in your home too.
Happy baking!
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