Excellent Cook Nancy brought Friend BB some cookies – Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies to be exact. Mrs. Ralph ate one of said cookies, and declared it the best cookie she had ever eaten. Mrs. Ralph did not mention said cookie just one time, I bet she mentioned it a bazillion times (Okay, I exaggerate.) but…. I had to make this recipe to see what all the adulation was about.
Backstory to these cookies goes like this. During the 2000 presidential campaign, Family Circle hosted a cookie cook-off between Tipper Gore and Laura Bush. Tipper Gore made gingersnap cookies (I am sure they were delicious), but Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies won the contest hands down. Now, I know why Mrs. Ralph raved about these cookies. They are beyond delicious.
Believe the recipe when it says to use an 8 quart bowl in which to mix the dough. Some recipes call these cookies “Kitchen Sink Cookies” because there is “everything but the kitchen sink” in them. The ingredient list is extensive, but you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry – butter, eggs, sugar, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans. First combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
Cream the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, and vanilla. As you can see, the large KitchenAid bowl is full.
The recipe says to gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. At this point, I realized I was in trouble, but I managed to mix in the flour mixture.
I poured everything into the large yellow Pyrex mixing bowl, and added the oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans. Big mistake. I could not adequately mix the ingredients even in this big bowl.
I poured everything into my large (9 quart) Staub baker, and finally I had enough room to mix the ingredients.
The recipe says you can make monster cookies (1/4 cup of dough for each cookie), but I opted to make somewhat smaller cookies using a 2 tablespoon scoop.
Bake the cookies until they are a light golden brown. About 15 minutes in my oven worked well. The recipe made over 7 dozen large cookies.
Ever-Lovin’ agreed with Mrs. Ralph. “Those cookies are SO good; even if they do have chocolate chips in them.” I noticed him slapping his own wrist a minute ago trying to stay out of the cookies. They are fantastic, and I am glad I made them.
Blessings to you and yours,
Go to Lanabird.com for the printable recipe. (Or click on the title of this post.) The print button is under the share button.
Thank you again Excellent Cook Nancy. You always know the best recipes.
Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies
By Published: April 21, 2014
- Yield: 6 dozen
- Cook: 15 mins
A delicious cookie filled with oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all - purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 sticks butter 1 1/2 cup or 12 ounces
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cup brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 3 cups old-fashion rolled oats
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line large baking sheets with Silpat or parchment paper. Use a large 8 quart bowl for mixing the dough.
- Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream together butter and sugars until creamy - about 2 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time and mix well
- Mix in vanilla extract.
- Stir in flour mixture until just combined.
- Stir in oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans.
- Scoop or spoon cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets. I used a 2 tablespoon scoop.
- Bake in a 350F degree preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes. 15 minutes worked well in my oven.
- Let cool for a few minutes and then cool on cooling racks.
- Cookies may be frozen.
- These are so tasty and delicious.