Sugar Crash: An Unusual Introduction to the Cowboy Cookie
Monday, March 9, 2009 
Sometimes a new baked good just comes crashing into your life--full throttle, no apologies, no turning back.
The Cowboy Cookie was such a treat for us--literally.
You see, not so long ago, a car crashed into the house neighboring the CakeSpy Headquarters. No, really. See?
It crashed right into the kitchen, where said neighbor happened to be at the time of the crash--in the middle of mixing up some cookie batter.
Well, needless to say their oven was not OK, so we found ourselves in the unique position of having inherited a batch of cookie dough, all ready to bake. And so preheat the oven we did, and about half an hour later, we had a fresh batch of cookies. What resulted was a mysterious, yet delicious, cookie. They had oats, but couldn't quite be called an oatmeal cookie; they had chocolate chips, and yet we wouldn't quite call them a chocolate chip cookie. And did we detect a pecan or two?
Turns out, they're called Cowboy Cookies--and with their dramatic entrance, they've certainly lassoed our hearts--and with an extra dab of chocolate frosting in between, they're bound to corral the affections of just about any cookie lover.
There are a number of varieties of the Cowboy Cookie to be found online, and they're certainly an easy one to personalize to taste; but in case you're curious, this recipe that we found on Martha Stewart seemed very close to the ones that we had:
Cowboy Cookies
- Vegetable oil cooking spray
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light-brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch chunks (1 cup)
- 3 ounces (3/4 cup) pecan halves
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat baking sheets with cooking spray, line with parchment, and spray parchment. Sift flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder into a medium bowl.
Beat butter and sugars with a mixer on medium-high until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
Reduce speed to low, and slowly add flour mixture, beating until just incorporated. Beat in oats, chocolate, pecans, and coconut until combined. (Dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.)
Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop or a small spoon, drop dough onto baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart.
Bake until edges of cookies begin to brown, 11 to 13 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to wire rack, and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks. Let cool. (Cookies can be stored up to 3 days.)
Reader Comments (38)
Glad to hear your neighbors are okay.
I've heard of these cookies but haven't ever made them before. Cowboy Cookie Sandwiches sounds like the best thing ever!
Cowboy cookies are always good! My version usually ends up with all kinds of goodies that I can find to throw into them.
These look great.
Clearly, it was destiny that brought the Cowboy Cookie to your attention.
These are favorites among the cooks at my work!
No one knows where the name came from though ....
my grandmother added rice krispies to them and called them treasure cookies.
wow, these look super delicious!
What a great story! Here's hoping your neighbor's kitchen is fixed and good as new! What a great batch of dough to inherit, though. These cowboy cookies look and sound absolutely delicious. I need to lasso myself one of these bad boys, along with a nice glass of milk!
You weren't kidding about someone crashing into your house, J!!!
The cookie recipe looks spectacular, just like your wonderful blog. Keep it coming!
Tamara at http://buzzfood.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">BuzzFood
Mmm these cookies have everything delicious!
I had no idea your neighbor was IN the kitchen during the crash! I am so glad she is ok! Those cookies look awesome!
what a crazy story, a car crashing into your house is like a worst nightmare/freak accident love-child. and you had to take over her cookie baking. too funny.
Those cookies are delicious, I haven't tried them with coconut before... clever!
My friends Jim & Eileen have been making cowboy cookies and giving them as gifts for years! Its not christmas with out them!
Merriann from Houston
Christina: Everyone is fine, thanks! And yes, they're great cookies!!
Margie: Yes, they seem like one that can change upon whim--how wonderful! Always a surprise and always delicious.
Larissa: You said it--it was fate!
Stephanie: yes, isn't that odd? i tried to find the history but so far have not discovered it!
Krysta: Ooh, that sounds like a great addition!
Flame thrower: oh they were!
Elyse: I think they're going to end up with an even nicer kitchen so I guess it all works out!
Tamara: Yup, it really did! And cookies resulted. Awesome!
Eat Me: Yup, they are pretty good!!
CL: Yup--she was! What a fright SHE got!! Her cats too!
Bana head: Isn't that the funniest way to come across a cookie? I will never forget the cowboy cookie now.
Schabahn: Yeah, they seem very easy to personalize--follow your own bliss! I think they might be good with or without!
March 9th: Awesome!! So glad to see these cookies have so much love.
I don't know how people can drive their cars out of control. This happened to a co-worker of mine a few months ago. It was a nanny from her block too! She said she got he brake and gas pedal mixed up! What?
Anyway, I love baking cookies for my kids, and these look awesome!
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I do remember that event, actually, from Twitter -- and this just made me laugh so hard my abs hurt! Such a great twist to the story.
Jennifer: Apparently the guy's brakes went out--scary! But, it did result in our discovery of these cookies--sometimes fate is weird!
Paintandink: It was such a strange thing to happen! Happily everyone is ok so we can all laugh about it now. It was especially funny cos we just bought the place about 3 weeks before. "WHY!!!!?" we asked.
That's a very interesting and unique way to come upon some cookies! Glad everyone was ok. The cookies look great.
I can't see the pictures :(, but wow what a story! Your poor neighboors but lucky you!!!
These look delicious- and would be perfect for an afternoon pick me up =)
Great round up on Cowboy Cookies. I'm ready to jump on my hobby horse!
What a random sequence of events! The cookies look delicious, and I love the addition of frosting !
wow. first time i've heard of cowboy cookies.. they must be good.
I love these! I'm pretty sure my grandma makes them; I had one today!
That is one crazy way to get some cookie dough. ;) But free cookie dough is free cookie dough! Glad your neighbors are okay.