Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe

Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe is a classic oatmeal cookie packed with oats, pecans, and lots of chocolate chips. It’s known for its thick, chewy texture and rich brown sugar flavor.

Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe stands out because it uses simple pantry staples that come together fast.

The oats give it a hearty feel, and the pecans add a warm crunch. It’s one of the most famous cookie recipes linked to Laura Bush, and it never disappoints.

They’re hearty without being heavy, sweet without going overboard, and they bake beautifully every single time. When I need a crowd-pleasing cookie that feels comforting and familiar, this is the recipe I reach for.

Why Are Cowboy Cookies Called That?

The name comes from the idea that these cookies are filling, sturdy, and packed with energy. They were the kind of treat someone might carry on long days or tough work.

The mix of oats, pecans, and chocolate chips makes them feel hearty and satisfying. Many bakers love them for their chewy texture and rich flavor.

The Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe helped make the name even more popular. It’s the kind of cookie that keeps you going.

Why You’ll Love Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies?

Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies are the kind of treat that make everyone stop and say, “Wait…what’s in these?!” They’re big, bold, chewy, and packed with everything you love in one bite. Here’s why these famous cookies win every time:

⭐ Loaded With Flavor

These cookies aren’t shy. They’re filled with oats, chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut—so every bite hits you with layers of texture and sweetness.

⭐ Bakery-Style Soft & Chewy

Even though they’re packed with mix-ins, these cookies stay soft in the center with perfectly crisp edges. They’re huge, satisfying, and absolutely irresistible.

⭐ Perfect for Sharing (or Not!)

They make oversized cookies that are great for parties, bake sales, holiday gifting, or simply treating yourself.

⭐ Easy to Customize

Prefer walnuts? Add them. Want extra chocolate? Go for it. These cookies are flexible and foolproof.

⭐ A Recipe With a Fun Backstory

These cookies became famous thanks to the 2000 First Lady Bake-Off—so you’re basically baking a little piece of history every time.

How To Prepare Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe?

Recipe Overview

Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe is a thick, chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie filled with pecans and classic pantry staples.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Dessert / Cookies
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Yield: About 32 cookies
• Calories: About 185 calories per serving
• Serving Size: 1 cookie

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Spatula
• Cookie scoop
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Ingredient Notes

1. Butter: Softened butter helps the sugars cream together smoothly, giving the cookies their soft center.

2. Brown sugar: Adds a caramel-like sweetness and keeps the cookies tender.

3. Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats give these cookies their classic cowboy cookie chew.

4. Pecans: Bring a warm, nutty crunch. You can swap in walnuts if needed.

5. Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet works best for balance, though milk chocolate chips are great too.

Direction

1. Cream the butter and sugars:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step sets the texture, so give it a good minute or two.

2. Add eggs and vanilla:

Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla. The dough should look smooth.

3. Mix the dry ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

4. Combine wet and dry:

Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.

5. Fold in the oats, chocolate chips, and pecans:

Use a spatula so the dough stays thick and chunky.

6. Scoop the dough:

Use a cookie scoop to drop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets.

7. Bake:

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes. The edges should be golden, and the centers should look soft.

8. Cool:

Let the cookies rest on the sheet for about 2 minutes, then move to a cooling rack.

Tip: Pull them out when the center still looks slightly soft—that’s how you get the perfect chewy texture.

Nutrition (Per Cookie)

• Calories: 185
• Carbs: 24g
• Fat: 9g
• Protein: 2.5g
• Fiber: 1g

Tips and Variations

✅ Swap pecans with walnuts or leave the nuts out entirely.

✅ Add shredded coconut for extra texture.

✅ Chill the dough for 20 minutes if you want thicker cookies.

✅ Use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter cookie.

✅ For extra chew, add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar.

Serving Suggestions

✔️ Serve warm with a glass of cold milk.

✔️ Pack them in lunchboxes.

✔️ Keep a batch ready for holidays, bake sales, or gifting.

✔️ Add them to a cookie platter with snickerdoodles and shortbread.

Storing Tips

💠 Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

💠 To keep them soft, place a small piece of bread inside the container.

Recipe Notes

• Don’t overbake or they will lose their chew.
• Make sure the butter is softened, not melted.
• Use rolled oats—not quick oats.
• A cookie scoop helps keep all cookies the same size.
• You can freeze the dough for future baking.

Are Ranger Cookies the Same as Cowboy Cookies?

Ranger cookies share some ingredients with cowboy cookies, but they’re not the same. Ranger cookies often include coconut or cornflakes, giving them a lighter crunch.

Cowboy cookies focus more on oats, pecans, and chocolate chips. The texture is thicker and chewier, which many people love. The Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe keeps the focus on hearty mix-ins. Each cookie style has its own charm.

What makes Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies different from regular oatmeal cookies?

Regular oatmeal cookies stay simple with oats and basic add-ins like raisins. The Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe takes things further with pecans, brown sugar, and loads of chocolate chips.

This gives them a richer flavor and a chunkier texture. They feel more filling and offer a mix of soft, chewy, and crunchy in every bite. The added nuts and chocolate make them stand out. It’s a bigger, bolder version of a classic oatmeal cookie.

FAQ For Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe

Other Related Recipes

▶Best Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

▶3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

▶3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe

▶Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe

▶Christmas Cookies Russian Tea Cakes

Final Thoughts

If you love cookies that feel warm, hearty, and comforting, this Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies Recipe is the one to try next.

I make these whenever I want something nostalgic and satisfying, and they never let me down. I’d love to hear how yours turn out—drop a comment or send me a photo when you bake them!