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Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies Recipe

4.5 from 111 reviews

Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies are a delightful blend of buttery sweetness, hearty oats, rich chocolate chips, and crunchy pecans, baked to golden perfection. These classic American cookies offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making them irresistible for any cookie lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt

Add-ins

  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to allow it to stabilize for even baking. Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. Cream butter and sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl halfway through to mix everything evenly.
  3. Add eggs and vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, filling your kitchen with a wonderful aroma.
  4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
  5. Fold in add-ins: Gently fold in the rolled oats, chocolate chips, and chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  6. Scoop and bake: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers appear slightly underdone.
  7. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up to the perfect texture.

Notes

  • Butter should be softened but still cool to the touch for best creaming results.
  • Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture, not quick oats.
  • Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their flavor, though this is optional.
  • Do not overmix the dough once dry ingredients are added to keep cookies tender.
  • Cookies look slightly underdone in the center when removed from the oven; they will firm up while cooling.

Keywords: cowboy cookies, oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, pecan cookies, Laura Bush cookies, classic cookies, homemade cookies, chewy cookies