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.
Yummmmmmm..something my g’ma would have made, for sure..
These are always a hit with my family!!! I had a question, can we freeze the dough to store it? If so how long will it last? Thank you!Â
Hi Symphanie! Yes you can totally freeze the dough. Shape into balls and ziplock for up to 3 months! Bake straight from frozen for a couple minutes longer than normal. Enjoy!
I love these cookies! Can I leave extra dough in the freezer? If so how long? Thanks!Â
These are so delightful! I didn’t have peanut butter chips so instead of all butter, I added a good sized spoonful of peanut butter. I also didn’t have all dark chocolate chips so I used milk/dark chocolate chips. Lastly, I didn’t have all pecans so I used part pecans/part walnuts. This is a very versatile recipe. I made smaller cookies with a cookie scoop and it made 25 baked for 11 minutes. Definitely give these a try and don’t be afraid to experiment a little!
Thanks for sharing all your notes Shelly! So glad you enjoyed them!
Can I leave the cornflakes out entirely, as I usually don’t have cereal around the house? Or should I replace them with additional oats or something else?
Hey Judy! I think you can just leave them out! Enjoy the cookies!
I didn’t have peanut butter chips so subbed butterscotch chips (also reduced the white sugar a bit since the butterscotch chips are so sweet) and and the cookies came out amazing. Thanks!
Great idea reducing the sugar a bit Althea! Butterscotch is a great sub. Glad you loved them! Thanks for sharing!
I want to make these!! Can I use peanut butter instead of peanut butter chips? If so, how much?
Hi Cindy! Peanut butter is fat, so if you add it to the recipe it will change the nature of the cookie. For best results I would replace some of the butter with peanut butter. Maybe start with 1/2 cup?
Has anyone froze cookies after baking them??Â
Hi Sharon! I think it will work great! The cornflakes will not be as crispy after thawing, but I still think they will be tasty. :)
Best cookies ever! Were on last year’s cookies-to-make list and are on it again this year! Hardest part is just not eating all the dough right out of the bowl!! Thanks for a great recipe! :)
Theses are awesome! I made them once and will make them over and over. They have everything! They remind me of a kitchen sink cookie I adore.Â
I want the version with raisins! If I take out the Reese’s (because gross) could I put in raisins instead?
Absolutely Maria! Enjoy!
I live in Texas. I feel like Cowboy cookies are whatever you want in them. Most of the time I see them they are more of an oatmeal cookie with raisins, chocolate chips, and pecans. I love them.
I’m from Texas. I love these cookies. I’ve even chopped up Hershey’s kisses to toss in when I’ve been low of Nestle’s chips because somebody kept eating them straight from the bag that was hidden in the freezer. You can also toss in some chopped up Reese’s peanut butter cups. I don’t add any coconut, it’s just not something we like. I haven’t made them in a while, but I’m thinking of adding some Nutella next time I do. Rice Krispies are good in them, too, if you don’t have corn flakes.
These are all great ideas Debbie!! I love the idea of chopping up Reese’s to add in. YUM! And darn that “somebody” sneaking chocolate chips, haha! (It would have been me…) Kisses are a great sub. Thanks so much for sharing all your tips from a true Texan!
Hi Karen,I love your blog!The stories make my day and the recipes are awesome.Thanks for all you do!You rock!!
You are so sweet Eileen! Thanks for saying that! So glad you are loving the recipes and stories. Thanks for commenting!
Normally when I am searching through a website for a recipe I can’t scroll down the page fast enough to avoid all the pointless jibber jabber, but your jibber jabber made me do spit take (my red wine covered bulldog didn’t find it as funny as I did).
Well done!
Bahaha!! Your poor bulldog!! But that’s hilarious!! Thanks for the note Wendy, I’m cracking up over here!!