Laura Bush's Famous Cowboy Cookies (2024)

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Laura Bush's Famous Cowboy Cookies (2)

I thought Laura Bush’s famous cowboy cookies were the perfect recipe to share today on the first day of school for us here in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They really are fantastic. Basically, for Laura Bush’s Famous Cowboy Cookes you take traditional chocolate chip cookie dough and stuff it with oats, coconut, pecans and a sprinkling of cinnamon. Resulting in these oh-so-chewy, flavorful and delicious cookies! Trust me –they will take your cookie game up a level! I know my boys will be thrilled to come home to this treat today! Have the kids gone back to school where you live or are you still enjoying summer break?

We had the best summer welcoming a new family member with the birth of our second little grandson–Cooper Bradley. Born on our 27th wedding anniversary. It was the best gift ever!!

Laura Bush's Famous Cowboy Cookies (3)
Laura Bush's Famous Cowboy Cookies (4)

We are all pretty in love with this little guy! I am excited to make him cookies someday. I remember my Grandma always had a cookie jar full of homemade cookies whenever we visited her. It is such a fun memory and a tradition that I plan to continue with my grand babies!

The Story Behind these Cookies

According to Southern Living Magazine:

“Starting in 1992,Family Circlemagazine orchestrated a political bake-off during every presidential election year. It was already commonplace for presidential candidates to release family recipes during their campaign—it helps to humanize the candidates and let voters get to know them more. ButFamily Circledecided toup the anteby publishing cookie recipes from the wives of each candidate and asking readers to try baking both and then vote on their favorite. The bake-off results have interestinglyalmost always predictedthe winner of the presidential election, save a couple outliers.

n the first First Lady bake-off in 1992, Hillary Clinton’s chocolate chip cookies beat out Barbara Bush’s still-deliciouschocolate chip recipe. In 1996, Hillary’s chocolate chip recipe won over Elizabeth Dole’s Pecan Roll cookies.

In 2000, Laura Bush debuted her Texas Governor’s House Cowboy Cookies, and as expected, they beat out Tipper Gore’s ginger snap recipe. Laura switched up her recipe during her husband’s second presidential campaign in 2004 to a similar oatmeal chocolate chunk recipe, but it’s her first Cowboy Cookie that has become so famous.

As with most things in Texas, Bush’s Cowboy Cookies are enormous and wholly stuffed with so many mix-ins: oats, coconut, pecans, and of course, chocolate chips. They’re sure to win over any crowd.”

These cookies freeze beautifully so you can always have some on hand when needed! I think you will find lots of opportunities to serve these wonderful cookies. EVERYONE loves them!

Recipe note: We usually leave out the pecans, and they are still amazing! Also this recipe makes a lot! I use a standard cookie scoop and fill it to heaping (over filled a bit) and I get 76 cookies out of the recipe. See the size below.

Laura Bush's Famous Cowboy Cookies (5)

Other Favorite Cookie Recipes:

Gourmet Smores Cookies

Classic Chocolate Chip (the BEST)

NYC Famous Levain Cookies

Chewy Peanut Butter Monster cookies (Gluten Free)

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Laura Bush's Famous Cowboy Cookies (6)

Laura Bush’s Famous Cowboy Cookies

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  • Author: Mel and Boys Kitchen
  • Yield: 76 cookies
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Description

This takes the traditional chocolate chip cookie to a whole new level! The dough is stuffed with oats, chocolate, pecans and coconut–yum!!!!

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups light-brown sugar, packed

3 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups sweetened flake coconut

2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degree F.

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in bowl. Beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.

Addsugars, and combine until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla.

Stir in flour mixture until just combined.

Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut, and pecans.

Bake in 350 degree F oven 13 to 17 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.;Remove cookies to rack to cool. Enjoy!

Recipe Source: Bushcenter.org

Southern Living Article

Laura Bush's Famous Cowboy Cookies (2024)

FAQs

Can Laura Bush's cowboy cookies be frozen? ›

Storing and Freezing Cowboy Cookies

The baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 5 days, after which they tend to start to dry out. You can also wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, place them in an airtight freezer container or bag, and freeze for up to a month.

What is in the cowboy cookie? ›

What's in a Cowboy Cookie? A cowboy cookie is basically a souped-up oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips, roasted pecans, and sweetened flake coconut. Former First Lady Laura Bush's recipe included one tablespoon of cinnamon, a unique addition and not typically included.

Why are they called cowboy cookies? ›

The story that describes them in originating in the Old West claims that they were eaten by cowboys as a high energy snack that could be easily carried. The dessert is also associated with the state of Wyoming. Cowboy cookie dough with chocolate chips and pretzels ready to be mixed in.

What is the most popular American cookie? ›

Nearly 93% of all American households serve and enjoy cookies as treats or after meals. However, it's the chocolate chip cookie that's the most popular in the U.S. and around the world.

What is crumble cowboy cookie? ›

A warm oatmeal cookie filled with tasty semi-sweet. chips, sweetened shredded coconut, and crunchy. toasted pecans.

What is the most popular cookie in Texas? ›

TEXAS: Cowboy

There's no better cookie to represent the Lone Star State. Cowboys are hearty cookies made with oatmeal, chocolate, chips, pecans, coconut, and brown sugar.

Why are my cowboy cookies flat? ›

The Problem: Your Oven Is Too Hot

If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure.

What cookies should you not freeze? ›

Do not freeze frosted, glazed or drizzled cookies because they can become too moist under the frosting, glaze or drizzle. Thaw the cookies in the plastic food container at room temperature. Remove from container any cookies that should be crisp when thawed.

What dessert did cowboys eat? ›

Dried apples, raisins and apricots were common, but berries and prunes also were available. In addition to eating it plain, dried fruit reconstituted in water with crumbled biscuits formed the basis of simple steamed cobblers and puddings.

What are Snoop Dogg cookies? ›

Snoop Dogg's peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe - His original cookie features creamy peanut butter and semisweet chocolate morsels, making it the perfect indulgence this holiday season. #

What is Alabama's favorite cookie? ›

This recipe is adapted from the one created by Mary Claire Cook, which was adopted as the official state cookie of Alabama on June 2, 2023.

What is the old name for cookies? ›

A Sweet History: Where Did Cookies Originate? (

Across the world, cookies are now known by several names. The word originally came from the Dutch word keojke, which means "little cakes." The Scottish now know them as sweet buns, and the English call them biscuits.

What is Alabama State cookie? ›

A yellowhammer cookie is a type of stuffed drop cookie containing peanuts, pecans, oats, honey and peanut butter. Invented for a school baking competition, it became the official state cookie of Alabama later that year. The recipe includes locally relevant ingredients and is named after Alabama's state bird.

What is the most sold cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co. But did you know Oreos are a copycat product?

What is New York's favorite cookie? ›

Freshly baked at the city's best coffee shops and bakeries, NYC's most beloved cookies include elegant crinkle wafers, old-school black-and-white rounds and homey, familiar chocolate chips. These aren't just some of New York's finest cookies—they are some of the very best desserts in NYC.

Why are Crumbl cookies so special? ›

From day one, it was important to them that Crumbl customers see their cookies being mixed, balled, baked and dressed in real-time. Equally as important were the high-quality ingredients used in each unique batch.

What is the origin of the cowboy cookie? ›

While their name suggest an arresting origin story, the history of cowboy cookies is a bit murky. The most popular theory points to Texas as their place of birth; their hearty mix-ins could sustain a cowboy through a long day of driving cattle.

Are Crumbl cookies soft or hard? ›

The Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunk is the first cookie I tried, and I have to say, I was very impressed. It was soft without being soggy, and the edges were excellently crispy. The rich flavor of the soft chocolate chunks instantly washed a wave of comfort and nostalgia over me.

What is the #1 cookie in the United States? ›

1 Chocolate Chip Cookie (No Further Description Necessary)

America's favorite cookie and the one dubbed “the American cookie” is the Chocolate chip cookie. Chocolate chip cookie is simply tantalizing both in flavor and in texture.

What is the official cookie of Texas? ›

Some say the cowboy cookie was enjoyed by traveling cowboys. Laura Bush is known for making "Texas Governor's Mansion cowboy cookies."

Can you freeze store bought packaged cookies? ›

To help store-bought cookies stay fresh, remove them from their original packaging and place them in an airtight container. You can also freeze store-bought cookies to help them last longer.

Can you freeze frosted cutout cookies? ›

After your cookies are baked and iced with royal icing, they can be frozen. Once your iced cookies have completely dried, place them in an airtight container, like a plastic freezer bag or Tupperware, with sheets of waxed paper in between any layers, and pop them in your freezer.

Can cookies with edible images be frozen? ›

Can you freeze edible cookie images on a cookie? You certainly can! This cookie was in the freezer for 6 weeks. The edible cookie image looked the same as when it came off the copier.

Can you freeze gooey cookies? ›

Cut-out cookies including sugar cookies and gingerbread can also be frozen, along with bars and thumbprints. It's best to avoid freezing softer cookies such as meringues, madeleines, and cookies with frosting.

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