Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies

Certainly! Here’s the full recipe for Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies:

Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies

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 (3 sticks) butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups light-brown sugar, packed
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups sweetened flake coconut
• 2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Dry Ingredients:
   • In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars:
   • In a very large bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in granulated sugar and light-brown sugar until thoroughly combined.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
   • Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
   • Add the prepared flour mixture to the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until just combined.
6. Stir in Mix-ins:
   • Stir in the semisweet chocolate chips, old-fashioned rolled oats, sweetened flake coconut, and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
7. Drop Dough onto Baking Sheet:
   • Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop portions of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart.
8. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through baking. The edges of the cookies should be lightly browned.
9. Cool:
   • Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
10. Enjoy!
    • Once cooled, enjoy Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage.

These cookies are hearty and delicious, packed with a variety of tasty ingredients. Perfect for sharing or keeping a batch on hand for a sweet treat!

Certainly! Here are some popular questions and their answers related to Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies:

1. Q: Can I use instant oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?
   • A: While old-fashioned rolled oats are recommended for texture, you can use instant oats if that’s what you have on hand.
2. Q: Can I substitute another type of nut for pecans in Cowboy Cookies?
   • A: Yes, you can use walnuts, almonds, or your preferred nuts as a substitute for pecans.
3. Q: How do I store Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies?
   • A: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
4. Q: Can I reduce the sugar in the recipe for a less sweet cookie?
   • A: You can slightly reduce the sugar, but keep in mind that it may affect the texture and sweetness of the cookies.
5. Q: Can I make smaller-sized cookies with this recipe?
   • A: Yes, you can use a smaller portion of dough to make smaller cookies. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
6. Q: How long do Cowboy Cookies stay fresh?
   • A: When stored properly, Cowboy Cookies stay fresh for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
7. Q: Can I use unsweetened coconut instead of sweetened flake coconut?
   • A: Yes, you can use unsweetened coconut, but the cookies will be less sweet. Adjust the sweetness to your preference.
8. Q: Can I make Cowboy Cookies gluten-free?
   • A: Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour to make gluten-free Cowboy Cookies.
9. Q: Do I need to chill the cookie dough before baking?
   • A: Chilling the dough is not necessary for this recipe. You can bake the cookies immediately after preparing the dough.
10. Q: Can I use a mix of milk and dark chocolate chips?
    • A: Absolutely! Feel free to use a mix of chocolate chips to add variety to the cookie’s chocolate flavor.
11. Q: Can I make Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies without a mixer?
    • A: Yes, you can mix the ingredients by hand using a wooden spoon or spatula, although a mixer makes the process easier.
12. Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
    • A: Yes, you can use salted butter, but you may want to reduce the added salt in the recipe to balance the overall saltiness.

Enjoy baking and savoring these delightful Cowboy Cookies!