If you’ve ever craved a cookie that’s hearty enough to double as a snack, cowboy cookies are the answer. Packed with oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts, these oversized cookies are chewy, crunchy, and sweet all at once. They’ve been a favorite in American kitchens for decades, and their rustic, “everything-in-the-bowl” style makes them stand out from ordinary chocolate chip cookies.
What Are Cowboy Cookies?
Cowboy cookies are believed to have originated in the American West, though their exact history is debated. Some say they were baked to fuel long cattle drives, while others associate them with homestyle baking traditions that used pantry staples. Their defining feature is their loaded mix of add-ins — unlike classic cookies, cowboy cookies don’t stop at just chocolate chips.
They’re the kind of cookie that’s:
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Hearty – full of oats for chew and substance.
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Flavor-packed – with layers of chocolate, coconut, and pecans.
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Perfect for sharing – big, bakery-style cookies that keep well in a tin.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For about 2 dozen large cookies:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 cup brown sugar, packed
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
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1 ½ cups chocolate chips
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1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
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1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
Step-by-Step Method
