Everything’s bigger in Texas and these Cowboy cookies (sometimes called Texas Cow Chips) are no exception. They are crispy on the edges but chewy and moist in the middle, and have about a hundred mix-ins that all combine to create the Texas of all cookies. Originally posted August 23, 2017.
Table of Contents
Do you go all out for Back to School shopping? Charlotte is just going into kindergarten in a couple weeks (cue the tears…cheers?) so I have zero experience in this field.
But this morning I noticed that her extremely worn, hand-me-down pajama pants only reach halfway down her shins, and the long-sleeve arms are about 6 inches short. When she sits her cute little crack shows. I’m pretty sure I have a kindergartener who’s wearing 3T pajamas on the regular.
This particular pair of pajamas is from a hand-me-down haul that I picked up 3 years ago. A friend of a friend announced that she was getting rid of a bunch of little girl clothes and did anyone want them. So I show up at this person’s house that I do not know and start bagging it up, hunter-gatherer style.
I remember her saying, “I know a lot of this stuff is in good shape, but I figure if we have another girl, all these clothes will be out of style anyway.” This is the part where I try to keep my eyes from widening, nod my head “mm-hmm,” and just start shoveling free out-of-style clothes in my garbage bag like a good little scavenger.
This is lazy parenting 101, by the way. Wait to buy clothes until someone gives you some of theirs. I guess I should, like, start providing for my children or something? (In my defense, this is often my own strategy for obtaining clothes. Remember the hand-me-down incident where my sister-in-law gave me a shirt that wasn’t even hers?)
You know what else makes a good hand-me-down? COOKIE RECIPES.
What are Cowboy Cookies?
Cowboy Cookies (also known as cow chip cookies) are one of those amazing cookies where you throw a ton of delicious extras in some dough. This is a popular recipe in Texas that my sister, who lives there, texted to me a while back. A friend of hers had posted it on a mutual friend’s Facebook page. I think she had gotten the recipe from her mom. Like I said, hand-me-down recipes means tried and tested.
I changed it up a little to suit my taste (threw out the raisins, because gross), and you can too. I almost called them Everything But The Kitchen Sink Cookies, because there are so many mix-ins. (Pecans, peanut butter chips, coconut, oats, corn flakes…) Somehow it all comes together and makes a fabulous cookie that is just so interesting to eat (in a good way, not a weird way).
Why you’ll love this Cowboy Cookies Recipe
Have you heard the saying “less is more?” I’m kind of a “more is more” girl.
Chocolate chips? Oh yeah. Oats? Sure thing. Pecans? My fave. Coconut flakes, corn flakes, peanut butter chips…yes yes YES. Plus, they’re so easy to whip up. Just 10 minutes of hands-on time and a few basic ingredients needed for this crispy-on-the-edges, soft-in-the-middle, perfectly thick cookie.
What is in a Cowboy Cookie?
See the recipe card below for a full ingredients list and instructions!
- Butter
- White sugar
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Old-fashioned oats
- Corn flakes
- Pecans
- Coconut flakes
- Baking chips (peanut butter chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips)
How to make Texas Cowboy Cookies
I really love these cookies! Because of all the mix-ins they tend to spread out a bit more. But don’t worry. They are crispy on the edges and perfectly soft and chewy in the middle. I love how BIG they are. I mean you have to make them big, they are Texas cookies. Everything’s bigger in Texas, right?
(**Where are all my Texas readers? Do y’all have this recipe? Did your mom/grandma make it?**)
And this goes without saying (because I think this is true for every cookie recipe ever), but THE DOUGH. Oh man. I have leftover shaped cookie dough balls in the freezer and sometimes I pull one out and just eat it, or microwave it for a few seconds so it gets all gooey. DO IT!
If you make this recipe, share it on Instagram using the hashtag #TheFoodCharlatan so I can see it! I love that.
Texas Cookies Variations
- Use other baking chips. You definitely can’t go wrong with other baking chips! Try white chocolate, butterscotch, cinnamon, you name it.
- Swap the nuts. Feel free to use chopped walnuts or almonds in place of the pecans. You could also leave the nuts out entirely for a nut-free option.
- Add other mix-ins. Get creative! Anything sweet or even salty is fair game. Try crushed up pretzels or potato chips, chopped candy bars, etc. Just keep the amounts the same (for example, sub in 1 cup crushed pretzels for the 1 cup corn flakes). Too many mix-ins will cause the cookies to fall apart.
How to store Cow Chip Cookies
Finished cowboy cookies will last in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to serve them again, bring to room temperature or warm in the microwave if desired.
Also consider my favorite method of “storing” the “cookies”: keep balls of this cookie dough in a ziplock in the freezer and eat it straight (or microwaved for a few seconds for maximum gooeyness).
Cowboy Cookie Recipe FAQ
There could be a few reasons that your cookies came out flat. Here’s how to avoid a cookie-puddle disaster.
1. Chill the dough. Cold dough means cold butter, and cold butter won’t leave your cookies spread out into sad puddles.
2. Measure the flour carefully. If you don’t have enough flour, the dough will not have enough structure to keep the cookie from flattening out. You can weigh the flour if you like, or simply fluff the flour, spoon it into the measuring cup, and draw a knife across to the top of the measuring cup to level it out.
3. Use cool cookie sheets. After your cookie sheet comes out of the oven, it’s a good idea to let it cool before you use it again. You can rinse it off with cold water and dry it if you’re in a hurry, or use another cookie sheet while the first one is cooling.
Let’s go back to the thick cookie checklist:
– Measure the flour carefully
– Chill the dough
– Put the cookie dough on cool sheets
If you’ve done all this and your cookies still come out a bit flat, don’t worry! You can thicken them up again. Just grab two spoons and gently push the edges back towards the center right after they come out of the oven, while the cookies are still hot. You can also use a drinking glass wider than the cookie to gently push the edges back toward the center.
Brown sugar is a chewy cookie’s best friend. Not only does it sweeten the cookies, but it also contains more moisture than regular granulated sugar. This creates a super moist, dense, chewy texture.
Even MORE cookies you will love!
- Skinny Texas Cowboy Cookies << These same delicious cookies, just skinnier!
- Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies << I love these. All the good things about Mint Chip Ice Cream, but in a warm gooey cookie.
- 30 Minute Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies << A staple you must have!
- Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Lemon Frosting: << this is a reader favorite!
- Skinny Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies << One of the most popular recipes on my blog! Healthy(-ish) but delicious
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies << Milk is a must for these
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies (Chocolate Snickerdoodles)
- The Best Bakery Style Double Chocolate Chip Cookies << Puffy. Chocolatey. Mmmmmm…
- Banana Oatmeal Cookies from Life Love and Sugar
- Molten Lava Caramel Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
- Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies from Sprinkle Some Sugar
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram
Texas Cowboy Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup corn flakes
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped (and toasted!)
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 1 (6-oz) cup peanut butter chips, (I used Reese's)
- 1 (6-oz) cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- If you want to toast your pecans (you do! you do!) chop them up and throw them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, until fragrant. Don’t let them burn! Remove from heat and let cool while you make the dough.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter until it is light and fluffy.
- Add both sugars and beat well, scraping sides and bottom.
- Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
- Add the flour but don’t mix it in. Add the salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the flour and use a small spoon to blend it with the flour a bit. Then mix in the flour, but stop before it’s fully incorporated.
- Add the oats, corn flakes, pecans, and coconut to the bowl. Mix in gently.
- Add the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips and mix until everything is incorporated. Don’t over mix, it will make your dough tough.
- Chill the dough in the fridge for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours.*
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a couple baking sheets with a silpat or parchment paper.
- Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup (THINK TEXAS, YA’LL)* to scoop these onto the pan. Leave at least a couple inches in between each ball of dough.
- Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes, until the cookies are golden on the edges and they are not too shiny in the middle. (A little shine is okay.)
- Let cool as long as you can before stuffing your face! These are great dipped in milk.
These cookies are so good and I feel lucky to have stumbled upon your recipe! I’ve been baking for years and can’t seem to figure out why these cookies are so flat for me! Any ideas? I know you mentioned in any earlier comment that that’s just how these cookies are but mine are way flatter than yours in the picture. What am I doing wrong? HELP, I can’t give up this recipe, it’s too yummy!
Oh man Makenzie I’m stumped! Are you measuring your flour correctly? Is you baking powder expired? (It doesn’t last forever) I’m sorry they came out so flat!
I’m not sure if this is your problem, but both oats and coconut will absorb moisture. It’s likely the type of oats/coconut or the sitting time that’s making it seem like the cookie has too much liquid in it; making flatter cookies.
Thanks ladies! I’ll make these tweaks and see if I can’t make my cookies a bit more plump :)
Elevation changes things. I just found this out myself. Look up im assuming something reguarding cookies and elevation..
Could you make these using rice krispies instead of cornflakes?
Hey Suzanne, I’ve never tried it but I bet you could! Let me know how it goes!
Could Imake these smaller to have more. If so how does that effect the baking?
Hey Diana! You will need to lower the bake time but I’m not sure how much. Keep an eye on them and when they are golden on the edges and set in the middle they are done. Enjoy!
Hey there,
Thank you so much for the recipe, these cookies are delicious! If I freeze some cookie dough balls, how do I then bake them? Defrost or no defrost? And keep the same temp? Thanks so much again!
Hey Rose! I always freeze cookie dough balls. I would let them sit on the counter for about a half hour, then bake as usual. You might need to bake a couple minutes longer, keep an eye on it. Enjoy!
I just made these for my office for tomorrow and oh my!!!! They are delicious!! Best cookie I’ve tried in a very long time; thank you!!
I’m so glad you liked them Michelle! I hope they make it to your office tomorrow and that you don’t eat them all…that’s what I would be in danger of. haha! Thanks for the review!
I skipped the oats and corn flakes because I thought I could and they expanded sooo much. Basically made pancake cookies. No idea what happened or why- this has literally never happened to me, typically when I follow a recipe they come out just as they should :(
That is so strange Katie! I’ve never left out the oats, maybe they help it from spreading too much. Better luck next time!
If you omit the oats and/or nuts, you need to replace with flour.
Lucas is in China, but now I can’t wait for him to get back so I can find out if his mom/grandma made these cookies! I’m with you on the raisin trash btw. Ew. And also: maybe Char wants some of Zoella’s hand me downs – I bet they’ll fit perfectly.
And here I thought I was the only one out here that didn’t like raisins! I would also leave out the pecans, because I don’t like any kind of nuts in my cookies. Might have to try these.
You will still love these without the pecans I bet! Let me know how it goes Sandie :)
HAHA, I have a lazy parenting 101 tattoo on my inner bicep!! No, but seriously, I’m the EXACT same way. Especially with clothes! In any case, so in love with these ooey, gooey, everything cookies. Sharing with my wife Audrey (the baker) asap!
I’ve never ever heard of these cookies before (and thank you for removing the raisins) but they sound kind of incredible! I love the pecans!
And I’m so with you – I’m all about the hand-me downs. Saves money and my kids love it too!
The kids totally do love it! My son gets hand me downs from his cousin and he talks about wearing “Eli’s shirts” all the time. it’s so cute.
Cheers to another raisin hater! At least in cookies :)
Yum. I am the original cookie monster, so will need to try these. Agree on deleting the raisins. What’s that all about?? As for back to school shopping. Recommend just buying what you need for the very first few weeks of school. Bought jeans for my daughter for back to school and by the time it was cool enough to wear, she had already out grown. I only buy as needed now. The back to school shopping concept is a great PR campaign, not reality for growing kids.
OK to cry when you drop kiddo off at kindergarten
You are smart. It really is just a PR campaign. I should do more buying-as-needed. Unfortunately I’ve proved myself to be the wait-until-clothes-are-3-sizes-too-small kind of mom. Onward and upward! Thanks Zara! Hope you enjoy the cookies :)
I just love your stories! I do not call that being a lazy mom, it’s frugal. When you don’t spend money on “stylish” clothes you can spend more somewhere else, like on all the mix ins for these cookies. Cookies or clothes? Cookies win every time!
Ha! You are my kind of girl Stefanie. Cookies beat clothes every time!! Thanks for commenting! I’m glad you enjoy the stories, I love writing them. :)
Hey!My first blog to be a part of. You guys are fun ,( I’m a born and bred Texan that doesn’t say y,all, It just happened that way)Ha! I want to bake your cookies today. I’m not fond of oats but I do have frosted flakes. Help? I just lost my buiness of 24 years, snapping out of what’s going on in my head and taking a leap in baking . Thanks for the positive energy you give to others.
Oh Kim, I’m so sorry to hear that. It definitely a good day for some baking therapy. You can replace the corn flakes with frosted flakes. Leave out the oats and add in an extra 3/4 cup flour to the recipe. I hope the cookies turn out well and that they bring you joy today! Good luck!
Exactly, frugal or as I like to put it “resourceful”
These look amazing! I’ll have to try them!
Thanks Donna! I hope you do, they are so tasty! :)
When you say white sugar, do you mean Granulated sugar or powdered sugar?
Hey Sarah! Granulated!
OK – I am one who actually likes raisins (like oatmeal raisin), so if you substitute the peanut butter chips for raisins, about how much raisins would you use? Can’t wait to make these – and love the idea of putting dough balls in the freezer to make later!
Hey Sunny! The original recipe calls for raisins ON TOP of all these other ingredients, can you believe it? i thought PB chips and raisins sounded kinda weird together but maybe I’m just close minded :) It calls for 1/2 cup raisins for this amount of dough. Let me know how it turns out!
Dude- these cookies are NEXT level. I knew from the first photo I’d be pinning these to make ASAP. Definitely on my list to quickly bake and devour this week before I head back to college! :)
Thanks Medha!! I hope you do bake them, they are soooo tasty! Perfect snack for the drive back to school :)
One of my favorite types of cookies – I love how every version is just a little different. -Jessie from CakeSpy.com