Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies: The Definitive Recipe for a Texas-Sized Treat
Welcome to the ultimate guide for baking Laura Bush’s famous Cowboy Cookies. These aren’t just any cookies; they are a delightful testament to “Texas-sized” flavor, packed with an irresistible combination of hearty oatmeal, rich chocolate chips, crunchy nuts, sweet coconut, and, most notably, a generous tablespoon of ground cinnamon. It’s this bold hint of cinnamon that truly sets Mrs. Bush’s cookies apart, elevating them from a simple dessert to an unforgettable culinary experience.
Originally rising to fame during a high-profile “First Lady vs. First Lady” cookie contest, these treats have captured hearts and taste buds for decades. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe, presented in a convenient small-batch format, promises to deliver chewy, flavorful cookies that are perfect for sharing – or keeping all to yourself!
The Sweet History of Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies
The story of Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies is as rich as their flavor, rooted in a fascinating culinary tradition. These iconic cookies first gained widespread recognition in the year 2000, during a highly anticipated “First Lady vs. First Lady” cookie contest hosted by Family Circle magazine. This unique presidential campaign tradition, which dates back to 1992, sees the spouses of presidential candidates submit their favorite cookie recipes for public vote, often sparking friendly (and sometimes spirited) culinary rivalries.
In the 2000 edition of this contest, Laura Bush, then the First Lady of Texas and wife of presidential candidate George W. Bush, pitted her hearty Cowboy Cookies against Tipper Gore’s elegant Ginger Snaps. The outcome was a decisive victory for Mrs. Bush’s creation, solidifying its place in American baking history. While the article playfully suggests that the presence of chocolate chips might have given the Cowboy Cookies an “unfair” advantage against a ginger-based cookie (and who can argue with the universal appeal of chocolate?), there’s no denying the inherent deliciousness and broad appeal of these robust treats.
Beyond the chocolate, the sheer scale of the Cowboy Cookies likely played a role in their win. As their name suggests, these are not delicate, dainty cookies. They are substantial, “Texas-sized” delights designed to satisfy a hearty appetite. When placed against a comparatively smaller Ginger Snap, the visual impact and promise of a more indulgent experience might have swayed many voters. Indeed, for a truly level playing field, Tipper Gore might have needed to enter a recipe for something like the Colossal Ginger Cookies (a truly fantastic ginger cookie recipe, though we admit a slight bias!).
Crafting Your Own Cowboy Cookie Masterpiece
Preparing Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies is a straightforward and rewarding process, even for novice bakers. The original recipe yields a substantial batch, true to its “Texas-sized” reputation. However, the recipe shared here is a convenient small-batch version, scaled down to about one-third of the original, perfect for when you want fewer cookies without compromising on flavor or quality. This small batch will yield either 6 impressively large cookies or 12 more moderately sized, yet still generously proportioned, treats.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can choose to stick with the “giant cookie” ethos, embracing the generous portions that made them famous, or opt for a dozen slightly smaller cookies for easier sharing (or portion control!). The dough is surprisingly forgiving, allowing for immediate baking or a period of chilling, which can actually enhance the flavors and texture, making the cookies even chewier and more developed in taste. This flexibility means you can whip up a batch on a whim or prepare the dough in advance for freshly baked cookies whenever the craving strikes.
One of the joys of baking this scaled-down recipe is that it leaves room for experimentation! Perhaps you’ll want to bake a batch of Laura’s Cowboy Cookies alongside the aforementioned Colossal Ginger Cookies for a real cookie showdown in your own kitchen. Or maybe, for a truly wild and wonderful assortment, you could even throw in a batch of Small Batch Halloween Monster Cookies! The possibilities are endless when you master this versatile dough.
Understanding the Key Ingredients
Each component of Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies plays a crucial role in creating their signature taste and texture. Understanding these ingredients can help you achieve the best results and even inspire your own variations.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie, providing structure. Measuring by weight (grams) is always recommended for accuracy in baking.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together. Baking soda reacts with the brown sugar (an acid) to help the cookies spread and become tender, while baking powder provides an extra lift.
- Ground Cinnamon: This is the star spice! A full tablespoon might seem like a lot, but it infuses the cookies with a warm, comforting aroma and a distinct flavor that truly makes these cookies special and memorable. Don’t skimp on it!
- Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create that tender, chewy texture. Using unsalted butter gives you control over the salt content.
- Granulated & Brown Sugar: The combination of both sugars is key. Granulated sugar contributes to crisp edges, while packed light brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle caramel note.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, adding structure and moisture to the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: A flavor enhancer that complements the chocolate and cinnamon beautifully. Use a good quality extract for the best flavor.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: These bring pockets of melting chocolatey goodness. Feel free to use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a mix.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: The “cowboy” in Cowboy Cookies! They add a hearty, chewy texture and a wholesome flavor that rounds out the rich additions. Quick oats can be used, but rolled oats provide better texture.
- Flaked Coconut: Adds another layer of texture and a subtle tropical sweetness. Both sweetened and unsweetened varieties work well, depending on your preference for sweetness.
- Chopped Pecans: Contribute a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. Lightly toasting them beforehand (just a few minutes in a dry pan or oven until fragrant) can significantly deepen their flavor, taking your cookies to the next level. Walnuts or other nuts can also be substituted.
Tips for Baking Perfect Cowboy Cookies Every Time
Achieving bakery-quality cookies at home is easier than you think with a few helpful tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more easily, creating a smooth, emulsified dough that will bake evenly and yield a better texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies.
- The Power of Cinnamon: As mentioned, the tablespoon of cinnamon is what truly defines these cookies. Don’t be shy with it! It provides a unique warmth and depth that distinguishes Laura Bush’s recipe.
- Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended): While you can bake these cookies immediately, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes, or even a couple of hours, can make a significant difference. Chilled dough spreads less, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies, and it allows the flavors to meld, especially the cinnamon, for a more intense taste.
- Evenly Sized Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or divide the dough carefully to ensure all cookies are roughly the same size. This promotes even baking.
- Don’t Overbake: Cookies will continue to cook slightly after they are removed from the oven. For chewy cookies, take them out when the edges are set and lightly golden brown, but the centers still look slightly soft. They will firm up as they cool.
- Cooling Rack: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bottoms from getting soggy and allows for proper airflow.
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. The dough balls can also be frozen for up to 3 months and baked from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Related Cookie Madness: Explore More Recipes
- National Oatmeal Cookie Day
- Cowboy Coffee Cake
- Barbara Bush’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Soom Tahini Sugar Cookies
- Triple Ginger Cookies
Recipe
Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 125 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ scant teaspoon salt ¼ if using salted butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter 114 grams, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar 100 grams
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅔ cups flaked coconut sweetened or unsweetened
- ⅔ cups chopped pecans lightly toasted if you have time, or walnuts
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Make sure all ingredients are well combined. Set this dry mixture aside.
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In a separate large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer), beat the softened unsalted butter until it is light and creamy. Add both the granulated sugar and the packed light brown sugar, and continue beating for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated. Beat in the room temperature egg just until it is fully mixed, then add the vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
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With a heavy duty spatula or spoon, gradually stir the reserved flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just fully blended and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix. Then, gently fold in the chocolate chips, old-fashioned rolled oats, flaked coconut, and chopped pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
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Divide the dough into 12 equal portions for standard-sized cookies or 6 portions for truly giant cookies. Shape each portion into a ball, then slightly flatten them into disks before placing them on the prepared baking sheets. Bake immediately, or for enhanced flavor and a thicker texture, cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. If baking from chilled, you might need an extra minute or two of baking time. Bake for about 15 minutes for smaller cookies (12 count), or approximately 18 minutes if you opt for the larger, Texas-sized cookies (6 count). The cookies are done when their edges are golden brown but the centers are still slightly soft.
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Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these iconic, flavorful treats!
Why You’ll Love Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies
These aren’t just cookies; they’re an experience. With every bite of Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies, you’ll encounter a delightful medley of textures and flavors – the chewiness of oats, the melt of chocolate, the crunch of pecans, the sweetness of coconut, all harmonized by that distinctive, warming cinnamon. They are robust, satisfying, and comforting, making them the perfect treat for any occasion, from a casual snack to a festive gathering.
Whether you’re recreating a piece of American culinary history or simply looking for an extraordinary cookie recipe, the Cowboy Cookie delivers. Their generous size makes them incredibly satisfying, and the balance of ingredients ensures they are never overwhelmingly sweet despite their richness. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and prepare to bake a batch of these truly special cookies that continue to charm bakers and cookie lovers alike.