Riffing on Texas Governor's Mansion Cowboy Cookies

So 20 years ago while America was in the midst of a presidential race, Family Circle magazine held a cookie bake-off between the candidates' wives.

Tipper Gore entered the 2000 contest with her Ginger Snaps, and Laura Bush with her Texas Governor's Mansion Cowboy Cookies. Laura Bush won! And so did George W. Bush!

Years later after his re-election, these cookies were served at one of the inaugural balls! 

I made them for the first time back in April when "Quarantine 2020" was still kinda new. I was recovering from a broken toe surgery and actually enjoying spending a little more time in the kitchen. I found her recipe and changed it up a tiny bit by subbing out some of the oats and chocolate chips for M&M's. Oh Y'ALL!

These cookies are comfort food at its best and

they are the B0MB!! 

So many yummy goodies in these soft and chewy cookies!

I nearly always have some kind of frozen cookie dough balls ready to bake up some fresh cookies when the urge strikes!

These are ready to bake or freeze.

Hmmm..think I'll bake! 😊

 These are big cookies and you're going to love every single bite!

Cowboy Comfort Cookies Recipe

Adapted from Laura Bush

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) butter @ room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

3 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups M&M's

2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups sweetened coconut flakes

2 cups pecans 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.

In large bowl of electric mixer, (i use every bit of my 6 quart bowl) beat butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth.

Gradually beat in sugars until thoroughly combined.

Add in eggs one at a time with vanilla, mixing after each.

Stir in flour just till combined.

Now for the fun add ins! So..add in the chocolate chips, M&M's, oats, coconut and pecans!

Using a large (3 tablespoon) ice cream scoop, scoop and place onto parchment lined baking pan.

I only bake 6 at a time on a half baking sheet with the cookies being spaced about 3 inches apart. Otherwise they may run together.

Bake at 350 degrees for 16 minutes or just till edges are lightly browned and centers look slightly underbaked.

They will be delicious even if they're a tad overbaked. Yep!

This recipe makes 46-48 cookies.

For future fresh baked cookies, I scoop the remaining batch of cookie dough and freeze until solid.

I then place frozen dough balls in freezer containers with parchment paper separating layers. When I want a few fresh baked cookies, I thaw for about 15-20 minutes and bake!

You can also bake from frozen by just adding 2-3 minutes to baking time.

Frozen cookie dough will keep in freezer 4-6 weeks.

Yum and Enjoy!  

'til we sweet again, Karen 💗