Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 3: Add the Mix-Ins
- Add Oats, Chocolate, Coconut, and Nuts: Stir in the rolled oats, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 4: Form the Cookies
- Shape the Dough: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie (or use a cookie scoop), and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread a little while baking.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers are still slightly soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Serve and Store
- Enjoy: These cowboy cookies are delicious warm, straight out of the oven, but they also keep well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.
Tips for Success
- Customize Mix-Ins: Feel free to get creative with the mix-ins. Swap out pecans for walnuts, add in white chocolate chips, or even throw in some raisins for a different flavor combination.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies spread less and give them a chewier texture.
- Freezing the Dough: You can freeze the dough balls for later use. Just place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Conclusion
Cowboy cookies are the perfect treat for anyone who loves a rich, chunky cookie full of flavor and texture. With the blend of oats, chocolate, coconut, and pecans, these cookies are as hearty as they are delicious. Enjoy baking (and eating!) these irresistible cookies—whether you share them or keep them all to yourself is up to you!