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Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies

Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies

Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies

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Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies
4.8 rating based on 12,345 ratings
4.8/5 (23)
Course: Drop CookiesCuisine: Texas, USADifficulty: Easy
Servings

36

cookies
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Officially named The Texas Governor’s Mansion Cowboy Cookie, these are chewy, Texas-sized oatmeal cookies stuffed with nuts, coconut and chocolate chips, enhanced with a hint of cinnamon.

This is the recipe submitted by Laura Bush when Family Circle magazine ran a bake-off between the wives of the 2000 presidential nominees. The competition that year was Tipper Gore’s Ginger Snaps. Although that is also a fine recipe, Mrs. Bush was declared the national winner with the following:

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • 1 tablespoon baking soda

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1-1/2 cups butter (at room temperature)

  • 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1-1/2 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 flake coconut

  • 2 cups chopped pecans

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl. In 8-quart bowl, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugars; beat to combine, 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla extract. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut and pecans. For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. Bake for 17 to 19 minutes, until edges are lightly browned; rotate sheets halfway through. Remove cookies from rack to cool.

    For 6 dozen (72) smaller cookies, use 2 tablespoons dough for each. Bake at 350 F for 15 to 18 minutes.

    This makes a huge recipe, and some complaints have been that it doesn’t all fit in your typical home stand mixer. If that is the case, try making 2/3 of the recipe. Here are the measurements for a batch that your typical stand mixer can handle:
    2 cups all-purpose flour
    2 teaspoons baking powder
    2 teaspoons baking soda
    2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    2/3 teaspoon salt
    1 cup butter (at room temperature)
    1 cup granulated sugar
    1 cup packed light-brown sugar
    2 large eggs
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
    2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
    1-1/3 cup sweetened flake coconut
    1-1/3 cups chopped pecans

Notes

Reviews

Name & Location
(example: Sue in LA)
Rating
Review
They were the best cookies I have made. So crunchy and soft at the same time. I halved the recipe and made 42 cookies. Delicious.
- A Baker
Love these cookies and will make them regularly?
- Shirley O in Manitoba, Canada
They were too much work and not that favorable for the cost of ingredients.
-  margie in Lubbock, tx 
Next time I would definitely try 2 tsp of baking powder and 2 tsp of baking soda instead. Could really taste their presence. And not to the tasting advantage
- A Baker
Great cookie, very crunchy, I also added rice krispies. I would make it again, and again.
- A Baker
Best cookie ever!!! A huge hit everyone was addicted❤️
- Lisa Haydin in Dallas, TX 
Best cookies ever. Have made several times.
- A Baker
They are delicious. I made half batch. Also reduced the baking time to 12 minutes.
- Lee
Best ever the first day then they start softening. Freezing works great for those of us that like crunch.
- Lynn in Arroyo Grande calif
These are the best everyone loved them.Did make them again and again and gave everyone the recipe...
- A cookie baker in Windsor ont 
This is the 3rd batch of these cookies I have made. Delicious every time with a great texture!
- A Baker
Best cookies ever. If you make them, make sure to use quality butter (not generic), like Land O\'Lakes or Kerry Gold. Also, use cinnamon from Vietnam (Saigon cinnamon), because it is far superior than regular cinnamon. Although the recipe doesn\'t call for it, I dust mine with powdered sugar. Much better with it.
- Christina in Olathe
This is the BEST cookie. I added holiday plain M&Ms and a handful of white chips. Using a 1" scoop made 7 dozen cookies. Baked for 13-15 min.
- KT in Fairborn, Ohio
These are a family favorite. Make them every Christmas and they are a big hit!
-  Sue in NYc
This is an excellent cookie! I only baked for 15 minutes, the first pan I baked for 17 and they burned...
- Louise Soweski in Woodbridge, NJ
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