Irresistible Brown Butter Cowboy Cookies: A Chewy, Hearty, and Flavorful Recipe
Experience the ultimate comfort in every bite with these delightful Cowboy Cookies. Made with a perfect blend of brown sugar, shredded coconut, and crunchy pecans, this recipe is a delicious adaptation of the famous cookie once championed by former First Lady Laura Bush. What elevates these already fantastic cookies to another level is the secret ingredient: rich, nutty brown butter. Prepare for an unforgettable batch of hearty, chewy cookies that will undoubtedly become a household favorite!
These aren’t just any cookies; these are Cowboy Cookies, sometimes known as Texas Cowboy Cookies, renowned for their robust flavor and satisfying texture. Each cookie is generously packed with an assortment of ingredients, from sweet chocolate chips to toasted pecans and tropical coconut, all designed to conquer any sweet tooth. Beyond their incredible taste, these cookies offer a delightful sensory experience: a wonderfully soft interior contrasted with just the right amount of crunch on the edges.
Imagine freshly baked cookies, still warm from the oven, filling your home with an inviting aroma. With a baking time of approximately 10 minutes, you’ll be enjoying incredibly chewy, perfectly golden-brown cookies in no time. The harmonious blend of semi-sweet chocolate, buttery pecans, and aromatic coconut creates a truly heavenly flavor profile that’s hard to resist.
One of the best aspects of this easy Cowboy Cookie recipe is its versatility. While the classic combination is phenomenal, feel free to customize it with your favorite mix-ins. For those who enjoy a warm, autumnal spice note, I highly recommend substituting the cinnamon with my Homemade Apple Pie Spice. It adds an extra layer of cozy flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
If you’re a fan of chewy, flavorful cookies and are looking for more delicious recipes to add to your baking repertoire, be sure to explore some of my other favorites! You might love my Red Velvet Crinkles, which offer a delightful burst of vibrant flavor, or perhaps my S’Mores Cookie Bars for a taste of campfire nostalgia. And for a truly decadent treat, don’t miss my Turtle Cookies recipe, featuring a delightful combination of chocolate, caramel, and pecans.
The Intriguing History: Why Are They Called Cowboy Cookies?
The story behind Cowboy Cookies is as rich and comforting as the cookies themselves. Their fame significantly grew in 2000 during the intense Bush-Gore presidential campaign. *Family Circle* magazine played a pivotal role by publishing cookie recipes from the candidates’ wives and inviting readers to cast their votes for the best. Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies, an elevated twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie featuring hearty oats, crunchy pecans, sweet coconut flakes, and warm cinnamon, resoundingly beat Tipper Gore’s Ginger Snaps recipe, cementing their place in culinary history.
While Laura Bush certainly brought these cookies into the national spotlight, these charming treats have a history that predates her by quite some time. Some culinary historians and enthusiasts suggest that the confection originated in Texas, dating back to the actual days of cowboys. Legend has it that they earned their name from their remarkable ability to hold up well and maintain their deliciousness during long journeys in a saddlebag, providing a much-needed energy boost for cowboys out on the range.
This delightful treat also goes by several other names, including Western Cookies or even Ranger Cookies. Traditionally, Cowboy Cookies are distinguished by their inclusion of oats, chocolate chips, and pecans. Ranger Cookies, on the other hand, typically feature rolled oats, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and a unique addition of crushed corn flakes, which adds an extra layer of crunch. My recipe, as you’ll discover, masterfully combines the best elements of both, creating the ultimate tasty and texturally interesting cookie!
The specific version I’m sharing with you today is thoughtfully adapted from a recipe found in Reese Witherspoon’s wonderful book, Whiskey In A Teacup. Her original recipe includes 2 cups of rolled oats. While I’ve certainly enjoyed them both ways, our personal preference leans towards making these Cowboy Cookies without oatmeal for an even chewier, more melt-in-your-mouth experience. To further enhance the flavor and elevate the recipe, I’ve incorporated a step of browning the butter before adding it to the mixture, a technique that adds a depth of nutty, toffee-like flavor that is truly transformative.
For those who appreciate homemade desserts and are seeking more irresistible recipes, don’t forget to check out my Raisin Spice Bars or my tender and buttery Pecan Butter Cookies!
Essential Ingredients for Easy Western Cookies
This decadent cowboy cookie recipe relies on a selection of simple, readily available ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or refrigerator. For the most accurate measurements and the complete recipe details, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located further down this page.
Dry Ingredients:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookies, providing structure and contributing to that wonderfully soft, yet slightly chewy texture. Proper measurement (spooned and leveled) is key!
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent helps the cookies rise beautifully, ensuring they don’t turn out too dense. It contributes to their overall fluffy yet sturdy form.
- Baking Soda: Working in conjunction with the brown sugar, baking soda helps create the perfect chewy texture and encourages a lovely golden-brown finish.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm, aromatic spice note that beautifully complements the other flavors. As mentioned earlier, for an extra special touch, I adore using my Homemade Apple Pie Spice in its place.
- Sea Salt: A crucial flavor enhancer! Salt balances the sweetness, making all the other flavors pop and preventing the cookies from tasting one-dimensionally sugary.
Wet Ingredients & Sweeteners:
- Brown Sugar: Essential for keeping these cookies wonderfully moist and chewy. It also imparts a rich, caramel-like depth of flavor. Whether you use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar is entirely up to your preference – both yield delicious results!
- Granulated Sugar: When combined with brown sugar, white granulated sugar plays a vital role in the cookie’s structure and helps achieve that delightful crispy edge.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: A non-negotiable ingredient that amplifies and rounds out the entire flavor palette, adding a touch of classic sweetness and warmth.
- Butter: The base fat that brings richness and tenderness to our cookies. You can use either salted or unsalted butter – if using salted, you might slightly reduce the added salt, but generally, it works just fine. The magic here is browning it!
- Eggs: Large eggs provide essential structure, leavening, moisture, and a lovely golden color to these baked goods. They act as a binder, holding all those wonderful ingredients together.
The Flavorful Mix-ins:
- Rice Krispies Cereal: This might sound unconventional, but Rice Krispies add a delightful, unexpected crunch and a subtle, toasty flavor that truly makes these cookies special.
- Shredded Sweetened Coconut: Bringing a lovely tropical sweetness and a chewy texture, coconut flakes perfectly balance the richness of the other ingredients.
- Pecans: Chopped pecans contribute a sweet, buttery, and earthy flavor, along with a satisfying crunch that’s characteristic of a hearty Cowboy Cookie.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The quintessential cookie add-in! These chocolate chips are designed to hold their shape during baking, providing pockets of melted chocolate goodness. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips – milk, dark, or even white chocolate – or try other nuts like walnuts or macadamia nuts for a different twist!
How to Make the Best Brown Butter Cowboy Cookies
Creating my rustic Western Cookies is an incredibly straightforward and enjoyable process. For a more comprehensive breakdown of each step, including specific quantities, please consult the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this page.
PREP Your Baking Station
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your cookie dough is ready. Next, line several cookie sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper is essential for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cleanup. Set these prepared sheets aside, ready for scooping.
The Magic of BROWNED BUTTER
This step is crucial for the unique flavor of these cookies! Place your butter in a large, light-colored saucepan. Using a light-colored pan allows you to easily monitor the color changes of the butter. Melt the butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. The butter will first foam, then the foam will subside, leaving smaller bubbles. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the butter solids at the bottom begin to turn an amber color and release a wonderfully fragrant, nutty aroma, reminiscent of toasted nuts or toffee. Be careful not to burn it – a minute too long can turn it from nutty to bitter. Once browned to perfection, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside to cool for about 5 minutes. This cooling period is important before combining it with other ingredients.
MIX the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, and your slightly cooled brown butter. Using an electric mixer (either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer), beat these ingredients together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and resembles wet sand. This creaming process incorporates air, which is vital for cookie texture. Next, add each large egg one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly combined.
STIR in the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, and cinnamon (or apple pie spice). Gradually add this dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Mix on low speed, or stir slowly with a wooden spoon, until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies. Mix only until no streaks of dry flour remain.
ADD the Delicious Mix-ins
Now comes the fun part – folding in all the wonderful textures and flavors! Using a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula, gently stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped pecans first. Make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Next, add the shredded sweetened coconut. Finally, carefully fold in the Rice Krispies cereal. Stir just enough to combine everything without crushing the cereal too much, preserving its crunch.
BAKE to Golden Perfection
Using a cookie scoop (a 1.5-2 tablespoon size works perfectly), drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie for spreading. Bake for approximately 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them; the edges should be lightly golden brown, but the centers will still appear slightly soft. This ensures that wonderful chewy texture. If you prefer a crunchier cookie, you can bake them for an extra minute or two, but be careful not to overbake.
COOL and Set
Once out of the oven, allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes. This short resting period allows them to set slightly, making them less fragile. After a few minutes, carefully transfer the warm cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a wire rack ensures even cooling and prevents the bottoms from getting soggy.
SERVE and Enjoy
There’s nothing quite like a freshly baked Cowboy Cookie! Serve these warm, irresistible treats with a tall, cold glass of milk for the ultimate comforting experience. They’re perfect for unwinding after a long day, sharing with loved ones, or simply indulging in a moment of pure bliss.
STORE for Later
These delightful cookies keep exceptionally well. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll remain fresh and delicious for up to two weeks. Cowboy Cookies also freeze beautifully, both baked and unbaked dough, making them ideal for meal prepping desserts or having a stash ready for unexpected cravings. Just thaw and enjoy!
Love It? Pin It!
Don’t let this winning recipe gallop away! Make sure to save these fantastic brown butter Cowboy Cookies for later by pinning it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest. It’s the easiest way to keep this treasure in your culinary collection!
Other Delicious Cookie Recipes You’ll Adore
If you’ve fallen in love with these hearty Cowboy Cookies, you’re in for a treat! Here are more fantastic cookie recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings and impress your friends and family:
- Old Fashioned Iced Molasses Cookies (pictured above) – A classic, spiced cookie with a delightful sweet glaze.
- Grandma Jane’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – Chewy, comforting, and packed with warm spices and juicy raisins.
- Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies – All the cozy flavors of apple pie in a delicious, chewy cookie form.
- Giant Butterscotch Cookies – Big, soft, and bursting with rich butterscotch flavor.
- Butter Brickle Cookies – A crispy, buttery delight with the satisfying crunch of toffee bits.
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies – For the ultimate chocolate chip cookie experience, elevated by browned butter.
- Chocolate Oatmeal Coconut Cookies – A triple threat of texture and flavor that’s utterly addictive.
- Operation Desert Fox Cookies – A unique and flavorful cookie worth discovering.
Now, let’s get baking and create this unbelievably yummy brown butter Cowboy Cookies recipe together!
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Print Recipe
Cowboy Cookies (with brown butter)
Equipment
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OXO 3- Piece Wooden Spoon Set
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Wilton Stainless Steel Cookie Scoop
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Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
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KitchenAid Hand Mixer
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Reynolds Kitchens Non-Stick Parchment Paper
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13×18 Half Sheet Pan
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15 x 10 x 1-Inch Cookie/Jelly Roll Pan
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 Tablespoon baking soda
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon *see notes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
- 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 1/2 cups pecans chopped
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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Brown the butter: Place butter in a large saucepan and melt over medium heat. The butter will begin to foam and then it will reduce to small bubbles. It will become amber in color and fragrant. Stir occasionally so as not to burn the butter. Set aside. to cool for about 5 minutes.
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Prepare the cookie dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine sugars, vanilla, and browned butter until it resembles wet sand. Add each egg in one at a time, mixing after each addition.
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Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon into the wet mixture and stir in slowly until it’s incorporated.
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Stir in chocolate chips and pecans first, with a spoon. Next, add in the coconut and finish with the Rice Krispies.
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Drop by rounded spoonful onto a prepared cookie sheet and bake for approximately 10 minutes. Edges will be golden brown and the centers will still be slightly soft. Let cookies rest for a couple of minutes before transferring the to a cooling rack to cool to room temperature.
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Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. These cookies freeze really well!
Notes
Reese Witherspoon’s original recipe calls for 2 cups of rolled oats. I have made them both ways, and making them without them is our personal preference.
These are soft and chewy cookies. If you prefer to have crunchy cookies, bake them for a couple of minutes longer.