The Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe

Discover the ultimate Cowboy Cookies recipe! Made with browned butter, oats, chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut for a rich, chewy texture and unbeatable flavor. Learn step-by-step instructions, tips, and variations to bake the best homemade cookies. Perfect for holidays, gifting, or a comforting treat. Try this easy, crowd-pleasing recipe today

Ingredients

• Wet Ingredients:
  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, melted and browned
  • 1 and 1/2 cups (319 grams) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup (99 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 2 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 and 1/3 cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 and 3/4 cups (156 grams) old-fashioned oats
  • 3/4 cup (60 grams) sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1/2 cup (64 grams) pecans, roughly chopped (plus extra for decorating)
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Optional Topping:
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Brown the Butter: In a large bowl, whisk together the browned butter and both sugars until well combined (about 2 minutes). Don’t worry if the mixture looks slightly separated.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Whisk in the eggs and egg yolk, beating until fully incorporated (about 45 seconds). Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, oats, coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
6. Form Cookies: Scoop 2-inch balls of cookie dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches of space between each ball to allow room for spreading.
7. Bake: Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden at the edges and slightly soft in the center.
8. Optional Decoration: Immediately after baking, press extra chocolate chips and pecans onto the top of the cookies. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
9. Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The nuttiness of browned butter, sweet coconut, and rich chocolate chips make these cookies irresistible.
• Texture Heaven: Crisp edges with soft, chewy centers and a delightful crunch from pecans and oats.
• Crowd-Pleaser: These cookies are perfect for gatherings, gifting, or indulging at home.

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Tips

• For even baking, bake one sheet at a time and rotate the pan halfway through.
• Ensure the butter cools slightly after browning to avoid scrambling the eggs.
• Use an ice cream scoop for consistent cookie sizes.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes if the cookies spread too much.

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Variations and Substitutions

• Nut-Free: Omit pecans or replace them with sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
• Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Add-Ins: Swap chocolate chips with white chocolate, dried cranberries, or butterscotch chips for a fun twist.
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.

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FAQs

Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough? Yes, scoop the dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time.

Q: How do I store these cookies? Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Q: What’s the purpose of browning the butter? Browning butter enhances the cookies with a rich, nutty flavor that elevates their taste.

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Serving and Suggestions

• Serve these cookies warm with a glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Pack them in gift boxes for holidays or celebrations.
• Enjoy as a mid-afternoon snack with coffee or tea.