Cowboy Cookies 🤠🍪

These hearty and delicious Cowboy Cookies are a delightful blend of sweet and salty, packed with oats, chocolate chips, and crunchy nuts. Inspired by the rugged spirit of the Wild West, these cookies are perfect for a midday snack, outdoor adventures, or just to satisfy that sweet tooth. With their chewy texture and rich flavors, they’ll have everyone singing, "Yeehaw!" 🤠

Ingredients

For the cookie dough

• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup of brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of rolled oats
• 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
• 1/2 cup of shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

🥄 Make sure your butter is at room temperature for even mixing. This helps create a lighter cookie!

3. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.

5. Fold in the rolled oats, chocolate chips, nuts, and shredded coconut (if using) until evenly distributed.

6. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers are still slightly soft.

🍪 These cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so you want them to be slightly underbaked for optimal chewiness!

8. Let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Variations

• Nut-free: Omit the nuts or replace them with additional chocolate chips or dried fruits like cranberries or raisins for a chewy texture! 🍇
• Dark chocolate: Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
• Spicy: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a surprising kick!
• Gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure it's a 1:1 replacement product for the best results.

Enjoy these delightful Cowboy Cookies with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee for a comforting treat. Happy baking! 🤠🍪