Cowboy Cookies

You didn't really think that I could visit a dude ranch and NOT post a cowboy cookie recipe, did you? 🤠  The blog practically writes itself. 😅  Have you ever seen more authentic looking cowboys and cowgirls? 😂🐎

I mean, the dedication it took for my brother had to grow this mustache to transform himself into a true cowboy - impressive. 🥸 🤣

We dressed the part and we played the part of cowboys and cowgirls.  And we had a blast!  We weren't exactly living like true cowboys though.  We feasted on 3 meals a day prepared by the ranch chef.  And even though real cowboys may have had a cook, I'm fairly certain that there were no 5:00 appetizer hour with charcuterie boards and bacon wrapped shrimp. 😅

I didn't even mention the bottomless plate of freshly baked cookies that were available for us to snack on all afternoon.  And it might surprise you to find out that the most common cookie on the ranch was a brown sugar blueberry cookie.  Not sure if that's an authentic cowboy treat but boy, were they delicious. 🍪

And before you ask the question - I have no idea why they call chocolate, coconut, oat and pecan filled cookies - cowboy cookies.🤷🏻‍♀️ Maybe it's the foods that cowboys need for fuel for long cattle drives and penning practice.🐄 I didn't drive any cattle while I was on the ranch but, I did participate in some team penning so naturally, I felt fully qualified to eat cowboy cookies.  

Cowboy Cookies
1 cup butter
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup toasted coconut
1 cup chopped pecans or candied pecans
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it foams and browns.

Transfer butter to a bowl.  Cover and refrigerate 45 minutes to cool. 

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon.

Beat brown butter and sugars together until smooth.

Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Stir in the oats, toasted coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips.

Roll the dough into balls and place on silpat lined baking sheets. 

​Bake for 10 to 14 minutes at 350 or until cookies are golden brown around the edges but still a little soft in the center.

Cowboy cookies have oats which, of course, means that they're a perfectly acceptable breakfast treat.🤣 

Ciao!

Click here for a printable version of this recipe