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Why Are Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies Famous

Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe

If you’ve never tasted a Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies recipe, you’re in for a treat that’s both legendary and delicious. These oversized cookies are chewy, crunchy, sweet, and hearty all at once. Known for their rich flavor and substantial texture, cowboy cookies earned fame when First Lady Laura Bush’s recipe won over the public during the 2000 presidential bake-off hosted by Family Circle Magazine.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1½ cups packed light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
  • 2 cups chopped pecans (toasted if desired)

Instructions
 

  • 👉 Step 1: Preheat and Prep
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • 👉 Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
    In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
  • 👉 Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
    In a separate large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes).
  • 👉 Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
    Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • 👉 Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
    Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
  • 👉 Step 6: Add Mix-ins
    Fold in the chocolate chips, oats, coconut, and pecans. The dough will be thick and chunky — perfect cowboy cookie texture.
  • 👉 Step 7: Scoop and Bake
    Drop dough by large scoops (about ¼ cup per cookie) onto your baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between each.
  • Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Let cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

Pro Tips for Perfect Cowboy Cookies

    1. Don’t overbake. These cookies should be slightly soft in the center when you take them out — they’ll finish cooking as they cool.
    1. Use toasted pecans. Toasting the pecans in a dry skillet or oven enhances their flavor and adds a nutty richness.
    1. Chill the dough (optional). If you have time, refrigerate the dough for 30-60 minutes before baking. This helps prevent excessive spreading.
    1. Mix-ins can vary. Not a fan of coconut? Swap it for chopped walnuts or extra oats. Like dark chocolate? Use bittersweet chips instead.