Cowboy Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time: 30-35 minutes
Servings: About 24 cookies

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Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 cup M&M’s candy (optional, but adds a fun touch)

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Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup and to prevent the cookies from sticking.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps to create a nice texture for the cookies.

3. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and continue mixing until everything is well combined.

4. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the following dry ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing until just incorporated after each addition. Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your cookies.

5. Add the Oats, Chocolate Chips, and Other Mix-ins

Once the dough comes together, fold in the following ingredients using a spatula or spoon:

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 cup M&M’s candy (optional, but adds color and a fun crunch)

The oats give the cookies their hearty texture, while the chocolate chips and coconut provide a sweet and chewy bite. If you’re using nuts, they add a nice crunch to balance the softness of the oats. M&M’s provide a colorful, nostalgic touch!

6. Scoop the Dough onto Baking Sheets

Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop generous portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

7. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes. The edges should be golden brown, and the centers will still look slightly soft. If you prefer chewier cookies, take them out closer to 10 minutes. For crispier cookies, leave them in a minute or two longer.

8. Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will firm up as they cool, giving them that perfect chewy texture with a slight crunch on the edges.

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Notes:

• Butter: Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature before creaming it with the sugars. If it’s too cold, it won’t mix properly with the sugars, and if it’s too warm, it could affect the texture of the cookies.
• Flour: When measuring flour, be sure to spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off to avoid packing too much flour into the cup. This can lead to dry cookies.
• Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Quick oats may work, but they won’t give the same chewy bite that rolled oats provide.
• Nuts: Pecans or walnuts are traditional in cowboy cookies, but you can swap them out for other nuts if you prefer. Almonds or macadamia nuts also work well.
• Mix-Ins: Cowboy cookies are all about hearty and fun add-ins. Feel free to customize them with things like raisins, dried cranberries, butterscotch chips, or white chocolate chips. You can even throw in some pretzel pieces for a salty crunch.
• Storage: These cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 4-5 days. They also freeze well—just layer them between wax paper in an airtight container or zip-top bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
• For Chewier Cookies: If you prefer softer, chewier cookies, consider chilling the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much during baking.

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Why You’ll Love These Cowboy Cookies:

These cookies are the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and hearty. With the satisfying chewiness from the oats and coconut, the rich flavor of brown sugar, and the chocolate chips for sweetness, each bite is a little bit of everything. They’re perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, or even a party treat, thanks to the colorful M&M’s and crunchy nuts.

They have an undeniable rustic charm that makes them feel homey and satisfying, like something you might take along on a Western adventure—or at least pretend you’re having one while munching on them!

These cookies are also a great choice for baking with kids or for gifting since they’re easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. You can even make a double batch to ensure there are enough to go around!