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.
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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
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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.
As a born and bred Texan I feel I have been terribly neglected throughout my life as I’ve never had these. They look so good! Definitely making them. And for the record, I do say and write ya’ll and that is how I spell it. It even Swypes that way on my phone. ;)
omg, VINDICATED!!!!!! Hhahahaah!!! Ya’ll forever now!! LOL! although I don’t even know if I can trust your word as a Texan because clearly you’re not one if you haven’t had these cookies…totally joking ;) make them soon, you will love them Heather!
Would love to receive recipes from you.
I’ve got you added to my list Ruth!
This is one BIG cookie. Loved them.
Wow – this cookie recipe is amaze-balls! I’ve made them twice now in a week. The cookies taste wonderful (assuming any of the dough makes it to the cooking stage – it’s so good straight out of the bowl!! The recipe is spot on – chilling, cooking times, everything. Thanks so much – and have a most wonderful Christmas!
Ahhh the dough for these cookies!! It’s the best :) I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing!!
Is it 1 cup of corn flakes or 1 1/2 ?
Hi Betty! 1 cup!
Wonderful! Had these at a cookie exchange, & went home & baked them to add to Christmas cookie stash. Very flavorful.
These are good ones to have in your stash!! I’m glad you liked them Jane!
These cookies sound scrumptious! Wanted to add that I make Monster Cookies which call for 3/4 cups each of M&M’s, chocolate chips, and cocktail peanuts (whole). So I’m just saying that you could add M&M’s and peanuts to this cookie recipe as well. As you pointed out, that there are many variations that “we cookie bakers” could use. Hopefully your readers realize not to mix in too many different extra ingredients in one recipe because the cookie would fall apart. I’ve been baking cookies about as long as you have. I have 10 grandkids now. They love my Fruity Pebbles Cookies.
Fruity Pebbles cookies! That sounds fun! Thanks for all the feedback and tips Vicki, love the M&Ms idea!
I make Texas Cowboy cookies and they are just about my very favorite. The corn flakes, coconut, and oatmeal adds a crisp, chewy (yes, both!) texture and they are just delicious! Gonna make a lot of them for Christmas for friends and neighbors.
These sound heavenly. Can’t wait to make them. Love the idea of freezing some of the dough for a ‘quick fix ‘ for sweet tooth craving. Thanks.
The fact that I always have cookie dough in my freezer is my kryptonite Debbie! Haha! Hopefully you have more self control than me :)
My 3 year old grandson took one nibble of a beautifully decorated cactus cookie, put it down, and picked up one of these. He ate 3 before they even cut his 3 tier cowboy birthday cake. They are just the right amount of chewy and crunchy. A truly delicious cookie, one to add to the repertoire.
Haha! I’m cracking up over this Donna! Your grandson must have a very refined palate, my kids still won’t touch these because of the pecans. I always tell them ominously “you will love these one day” ;) also your cowboy party sounds AMAZING!
They were good! I added a handful of heath chips – gave it a nice contrast to the sweet flavors. Next time I will add a few dried cherries and or a 1/2 t. of cinnamon. These are keepers!
ooh I love the dried cherries idea Michelle! If you love cherries, you MUST try these Dark Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies. They are amazing!!
Can’t wait to make these !! Thank you for sharing your hilarious story about your daughter’s pj’s !!
Haha thank you Cindy! Just keepin it real over here ;)
I made these cookies and when I told my daughter there were Cornflakes in them she looked at me with like I was a crazy lady for putting breakfast cereal in her cookies. But then she turned around and kept eating them! As long as she doesn’t ask me to have some for breakfast, I’m ok ;). These are fantastic cookies and reminds me I need to make them again very soon. Thanks for the great recipe!
Haha!!! I wish I could see the look on your daughter’s face!! “Mom what are you trying to feed me??” haha! I’m so glad they were a hit :)
These cookies are delicious! I made mine in a more traditional size, and got three dozen instead of just 18. ‘Guess I rather have two cookies than one big one!
These cookies look amazing. As I was reading through the comments I saw you were going to make them with cranberries and white chocolate chips, did that ever come about? My question is do I need to use the cornflakes? I bought the smallest box of rice krispies for another recipe and since nobody eats them they are still hanging out in my pantry.
Hi Janet! You are very observant :) I DID make that cranberry version and will be sharing it on the blog sometime in December!!
This is the most amazing cookie my husband and I have every tasted!!!!!
High praise, Gail!! I’m so glad you liked it!!
My coworkers call these crack cookies because they are always dieting and I always ruin it for them. They can’t say no to my cookies.
Haha! I feel like that’s a pretty accurate name for these :) Thanks Courtney!