Thick, chewy, and outrageously loaded with goodies, these Cowgirl Cookies are everything you crave in a sweet treat and more! Imagine a cookie that’s buttery, golden at the edges, packed with gooey white chocolate, crunchy almonds, and a fabulous chew thanks to oats and coconut. The best part? This recipe is shockingly simple to whip up, and delivers results perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute bake sales, or any time you need a cookie to hit the spot fast. If you like your cookies bold, fun, and seriously moreish—meet your new favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Effortless: If you can measure, mix, and scoop, you can make Cowgirl Cookies! Everything comes together in one bowl before heading to the oven.
- Loads of Texture and Flavor: Not your basic cookie—these have oats for a hearty bite, almonds for crunch, sweet coconut, and dreamy white chocolate chips throughout.
- Great for Make-Ahead: The dough chills beautifully and actually bakes up even tastier after a rest in the fridge.
- Easy to Customize: The base is so forgiving, making it the ideal jumping-off point to create your own signature cookie.
- Crowd-pleaser: With a batch size fit for sharing and flavors that appeal to all ages, these cookies win over even the toughest cookie critics.
Ingredients You’ll Need
No need to overthink it—grab these kitchen staples and a few fun mix-ins:
- Unsalted Butter: Softened for perfect creaming with the sugars; brings richness and buttery flavor.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: The classic cookie combo—the brown sugar adds moisture and that irresistible chewiness.
- Large Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Always use a good splash for warmth and depth.
- All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base that gives the cookies structure.
- Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and enhancing all the flavors.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Both in tandem for lift and a tender, chewy center.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Adds heartiness and chews—instant oats won’t give quite the same feel.
- Sliced Almonds: For that nutty crunch in every bite; toast lightly for extra flavor if you have time.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut: Brings a gentle tropical sweetness and extra texture.
- White Chocolate Chips: Pockets of creamy sweetness that pair perfectly with coconut and almonds.
Note: Chilling the dough is crucial for thick, bakery-style cookies—don’t skip this step for best results.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Love to experiment? Go wild with your mix-ins:
- Nut Swaps: Try pecans, walnuts, or peanuts if almonds aren’t your favorite.
- Switch the Chips: Milk or dark chocolate chips, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips are all delicious alternatives.
- Fruit Boost: Fold in some dried cherries or cranberries for pops of tartness.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified GF oats for a friendly version.
- Toasted Coconut: For a big flavor upgrade, toast the coconut in a dry pan before adding to the dough.
How to Make Cowgirl Cookies
Ready for cookie goodness? Let’s get baking:
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat softened butter with both sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and looks a bit lighter in color—this takes about three minutes and makes for tender cookies.
Step 2: Add Eggs & Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides as needed so everything’s blended.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix just until you don’t see streaks of flour—over-mixing will make your cookies tough.
Step 4: Stir in Mix-ins
Fold in oats, almonds, and coconut, followed by the white chocolate chips. The dough will be thick and loaded with goodies—just how you want it!
Step 5: Chill
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least an hour (up to 24 is even better). This step makes the cookies thick and prevents spreading.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
After chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment. Scoop generous portions, about 1/4 cup each, and place them well apart—they spread a little! Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers are still just a tad soft.
Step 7: Cool
Let them rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving to a rack—they’ll finish setting up without over-baking.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Cold dough = thick cookies that don’t spread everywhere.
- Fresh is Best: Ingredients at room temperature blend much more smoothly, especially butter and eggs.
- Scoop Generously: These are meant to be big, bakery-style cookies!
- Watch the Oven: Every oven is different—check a minute or two early the first time, and remember cookies always continue to set as they cool.
- Customize with Confidence: If your cookie stash is low, swap in what you have—these cookies are endlessly forgiving.
How to Serve
Cowgirl Cookies are fantastic all on their own, but here are some pairing ideas to make them even better:
- Serve warm with a cold glass of milk or a mug of coffee for the ultimate comforting treat.
- Add them to a dessert platter with fresh fruit or fudge for parties.
- Package a few in treat bags for gifts—these cookies keep their chewy texture and flavors.
- For an ultra-decadent dessert, sandwich two cookies with a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay soft and chewy for up to five days.
Freezing
Cowgirl Cookies freeze beautifully! Freeze the balls of dough on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months. Bake straight from frozen—just add an extra minute to the baking time.
Reheating
Want that fresh-baked softness back? Pop cookies in a 300°F oven for a few minutes, or give them a quick zap in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
FAQs
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Can I make the dough in advance?
Absolutely! The dough can be made and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, which gives the flavors even more time to develop. You can also freeze dough balls for longer storage and bake straight from the freezer.
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Can I use instant oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
While you could use instant oats in a pinch, old-fashioned oats are best for giving these cookies the chewy, hearty texture Cowgirl Cookies are known for. Instant oats will make the cookies a little softer and less textured.
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Can I make these nut-free?
Definitely—just skip the almonds and add extra coconut, oats, or swap in pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for crunch without nuts.
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Do I need a mixer, or can I mix by hand?
A hand or stand mixer makes creaming the butter and sugar simpler, but with a bit of elbow grease, you can absolutely mix by hand. Just be sure the butter is quite soft so everything incorporates smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Cowgirl Cookies truly deliver everything you want in a homemade cookie—bold flavor, great texture, and a playful mix of treats in every bite. No tricky steps or fancy equipment needed, just a few minutes and a big appetite for irresistible cookies. Give them a try, and don’t be surprised if they disappear fast—everyone will want this recipe! Happy baking!
PrintCowgirl Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 13-15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cowgirl Cookies are hearty, chewy cookies loaded with oats, coconut, sliced almonds, and creamy white chocolate chips. With their delightful blend of flavors and texture, they make a perfect sweet snack for any occasion. The cookie dough can be made ahead and chilled, ensuring thick, bakery-style treats every time.
Ingredients
Dairy & Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sugars
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer. Continue mixing for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until well combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Mix in Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add Oats, Almonds, Coconut, and White Chocolate: Stir in the oats, sliced almonds, and shredded coconut until evenly distributed. Finally, gently fold in the white chocolate chips.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and ensures thicker cookies.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Scoop and Bake: Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup or large cookie scoop, portion dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each scoop. Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra crispy edges, bake a minute longer but watch closely to prevent overbaking.
- Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours for deeper flavor and thick cookies.
- Try substituting walnuts or pecans for almonds if desired.
- Cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freeze unbaked cookie scoops for fresh cookies anytime; bake straight from frozen with an extra minute or two of bake time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg