Best Cowboy Cookie Recipe

Imagine biting into a cookie that’s crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and packed with so many delicious add-ins that each bite offers a new explosion of flavor. That’s exactly what you’ll get with these incredible Cowboy Cookies! Loaded with oats, chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut, these hearty cookies strike the perfect balance between indulgent treat and satisfying snack. They’re substantial enough to fuel any adventure but delicious enough to make you forget they’re actually quite nutritious (as far as cookies go)!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of our cookies, providing structure while keeping them tender.
• Old-fashioned oatmeal: Adds wonderful texture and a slightly nutty flavor that makes these cookies substantial and hearty.
• Almond flour: A secret ingredient that adds moisture and a subtle nutty undertone.
• Malted milk powder: This ingredient is criminally underused in baking! It adds incredible depth of flavor with caramel-like notes.
• Cornstarch: The key to keeping your cookies soft and tender, even days after baking.
• Cinnamon: Just enough to add warmth without overwhelming the other flavors.
• Baking soda: Provides the perfect rise without making them cakey.
• Cold butter: Using cold butter rather than room temperature creates pockets of steam during baking, resulting in wonderful texture.
• Brown and granulated sugar: The combination gives you both moisture and structure—brown sugar for chewiness, white for crispness.
• Vanilla extract: Don’t skimp here! A full tablespoon might seem like a lot, but it’s what gives these cookies their beautiful flavor foundation.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Eggs and egg yolks: The extra yolks add richness and contribute to that chewy texture we’re after.
• Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet provides the perfect balance, but dark chocolate works beautifully too.
• Pecans: Toasty, buttery nuts that complement the other flavors perfectly.
• Shredded coconut: Adds subtle sweetness and amazing texture.
• Flaky sea salt: The finishing touch that elevates the cookies from great to extraordinary.

Variations

Want to put your own spin on these amazing cookies? Here are some delicious variations to try:

• Swap the nuts: Try walnuts, macadamias, or even pistachios instead of pecans.
• Change the chocolate: White chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or a mix of milk and dark chocolate all work wonderfully.
• Add dried fruit: Dried cranberries or cherries add a lovely tang that cuts through the sweetness.
• Make them seasonal: Add pumpkin pie spice in fall or a bit of orange zest during the holidays.

How to Make Cowboy Cookies

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, almond flour, malted milk powder, cornstarch, cinnamon, and baking soda until well combined. This helps distribute the leavening agents evenly throughout the dough.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the cold butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt until smooth. This should take about 3-4 minutes—don’t rush this step! Proper creaming creates air pockets that help give your cookies their structure.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Add the egg, extra egg yolks, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat for a full 5 minutes until light and creamy. The mixture should noticeably increase in volume and lighten in color—this step is crucial for achieving that perfect texture.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing between each addition just until combined. Don’t overmix, or you’ll develop too much gluten and end up with tough cookies.

Step 5: Fold in Mix-ins

Gently fold in the shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 6: Scoop and Chill

Use a #16 cookie scoop (about 2.5 ounces) to portion the dough. If desired, press a few additional chocolate chips on top for that bakery-style look. Chill the dough uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, but preferably 24 hours for the best flavor.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Place 6 cookies per sheet, spaced at least 3 inches apart. Bake for 11-14 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Work with one pan at a time for the most consistent results.

Step 8: The Finishing Touches

Immediately after removing from the oven, press additional chocolate chips into the warm cookies if desired. Use a large round cookie cutter to swirl around the edges of each cookie to make them perfectly round. While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Step 9: Cool Properly

Let the cookies cool on the pan for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Chill your baking sheet in the freezer for a couple of minutes between batches.

How to Serve

These cookies are substantial enough to stand on their own, but here are some delicious ways to enjoy them:

Perfect Pairings

• Serve with a tall glass of cold milk for the classic cookie experience.
• Pair with coffee or espresso for an afternoon pick-me-up—the malted milk powder in the cookies complements coffee beautifully.
• For an indulgent dessert, sandwich vanilla or coffee ice cream between two cookies for an epic ice cream sandwich.

Gifting

These cookies make excellent gifts! Stack them in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon, or pack them in a decorative tin for holidays and special occasions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to help keep the cookies soft.

Freezing Cookie Dough

The portioned dough freezes beautifully! After scooping, freeze the balls on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, you can bake directly from frozen—just add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

Freezing Baked Cookies

Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

Reheating

To refresh stored cookies, warm them in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes, or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that fresh-baked texture and makes the chocolate slightly melty again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

These Cowboy Cookies are truly the best of all worlds—substantial enough to feel like a treat worth making, but easy enough that you don’t need a special occasion to whip up a batch. The combination of textures from the oats, coconut, chocolate, and pecans makes every bite interesting, while the malted milk powder adds that special something that will have everyone wondering what your secret ingredient is. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to become a staple in your baking repertoire!

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