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Home / Recipes / Gooey Cowboy Cookie Bars

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Gooey Cowboy Cookie Bars

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Well, howdy.

Cowboy cookies — made famous by first lady Laura Bush — make a chewy, caramel-y cookie loaded with nuts, coconut, oats, and chocolate. But this recipe for cowboy cookie bars is even better. 

cowboy cookie bars recipe

Meet These Gooey, Caramel-y Cowboy Cookie Blondies

You’ll love these dense, sweet, buttery cowboy blondies: stuffed with goodness and better than the original cookie made famous by Laura Bush. These cowboy bars taste seriously good.

Cowboy cookies are a new classic cookie, made famous by Laura Bush in a cookie contest. But cowboy cookies get an upgrade as a blondie: cowboy cookie bars. It combines all the best elements of cowboy cookies — oats, brown sugar, chocolate, pecans, and butter — into an even better dessert.

These cowboy cookie blondies taste chewy, buttery, and absolutely delicious. This is one of my favorite desserts, and now yours, too.

cowboy cookie blondies ingredients pecans coconut oats chocolate chips brown sugar

Did Laura Bush Invent Cowboy Cookies?

Cowboy cookies are essentially a chocolate chip cookie with lots of bonuses. Think of regular chocolate chip cookie dough (flour, brown sugar, sugar, vanilla, egg, chocolate chips, pinch of salt), then load it with pecans, coconut flakes, and cinnamon.

Cowboy cookies became well known in 2000 during the Bush-Gore presidential campaign season. Family Circle magazine used to have a presidential election cookie bake-off, in which the wives of the candidates published their best cookie recipe and readers voted for their favorite. Laura Bush’s Texas Governor’s House Cowboy Cookies beat Tipper Gore’s gingersnaps.

Putting controversial or outmoded gender assumptions aside, the three-decade contest successfully predicted the presidential race outcomes every time except for the 2008 election, when Michelle Obama’s shortbread cookie recipe lost to Cindy McCain’s butterscotch oatmeal cookies.

The cookie contest — renamed the Presidential Cookie Poll by Family Circle when Bill Clinton was the first male candidate spouse — is now defunct. Family Circle shuttered in December 2019.

pan of raw cowboy cookie bars before baking

Why Are They Called Cowboy Cookies?

The short answer is, no one knows why it is that cowboy cookies are called cowboy cookies. I like to think they are so-called because they are a hearty cookie chockfull of goodness that would keep a cowboy happy and satisfied during long hours on the range.

Cowboy cookies became famous during George W. Bush’s presidential campaign, so perhaps his Texas roots have further cemented the cowboy name. Here’s the original cowboy cookie recipe.

A Legend Is Born: This Gooey Cowboy Cookie Bars Recipe

Recipe development can be hard, especially with baked goods. This recipe for cowboy cookie bars took me about five tries to get right. But it was worth the effort.

Great blondies should have three qualities: 1) dense but not heavy; 2) loaded with chips and add-ins; and 3) like brownies, a good crust on top. Some baking science comes into play here. Playing around with sugar, fats, flour, baking powder, and even the amount of stirring can effect the final product.

I officially love these cowboy cookie bars better than cowboy cookies. Unlike cowboy cookies’ sometimes dry texture, these have all the same flavor, but in a rich, cake-y form, with an extra pinch of salt to better complement the brown sugar and chocolate.

What’s in These Easy Cowboy Cookie Bars?

Everything good! To make these cowboy bar cookies, mix all the ingredients together, smooth in a brownie pan, and bake.

Here are the ingredients:

  • 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 3/4 cups chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 3/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 pinch flaky sea salt, such as Maldon (optional)

Cowboy Cookie Blondies: Recipe Notes

  • This recipe calls for an 8″ x 8″ square brownie pan to give them a little height, but a 9″ x 9″ pan would work fine too. You may have to adjust the baking time down slightly by a few minutes.
  • When are these cowboy blondies done? When a cake tester in the center comes out clean, the color turns a rich caramel, and a crust forms on top.
  • Cool in the pan, then cut as you would brownies, and serve.

cowboy blondies cookie bars stacked on plate

How to Cut Brownies and Blondies Like a Pro

Cutting squares while the cowboy blondies or brownies are still in the pan is fine, but it’s hard to do without mauling at least one piece as you run a knife down the length of the pan and awkwardly angle a spatula to dig out that first square.

Better Practice to slice brownies or blondies in a pan:

  • Grease and line the baking pan with parchment as in the photo. I like to do a strip of parchment that covers the bottom and two sides.
  • Let the brownies or blondies cool in the pan. Run an offset spatula around the rim to loosen any stuck-on bits, then lift the blondies from the pan and place the whole thing on a cutting board.
  • Score markings in the top of the blondies where you want to cut. Use a long serrated blade to go straight down through the entire blondie, gently sawing as you press down. A general rule is to always use a serrated knife when you cut into anything with hard pieces in it, like chocolate chips or nuts.
  • Wipe the blade clean between each cut.

cowboy cookie blondies recipe

Love this cowboy cookie bars recipe? You’ll also enjoy:

  • Pecan Shortbread Cookies
  • How to Hack a Brownie Mix
  • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
cowboy cookie blondies in pan
Print Recipe

Gooey Cowboy Cookie Bars

Say howdy to a great new cowboy blondie, a dense and fudgy caramel cowboy cookie bar recipe loaded with goodness. Based on Laura Bush's award-winning recipe for Cowboy Cookies. (But better.)
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Course: Baked Goods, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keywords:: baking, blondie, blondies, chocolate chips, coconut, easy, pecans
Servings: 1 8" x 8" pan of blondies

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¾ cups chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • ¾ cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 pinch flaky sea salt, such as Maldon (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line with parchment an 8" x 8" brownie pan.
  • In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, rolled oats, and baking powder.
  • In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon.
    PRO TIP: Though recipes usually include salt and spices with dry ingredients, I always add them to liquid so the flavors can "bloom."
  • Pour the liquids into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until mostly combined. Add the chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut flakes. Stir until fully mixed.
  • Spread the brownie batter into the pan, smoothing the top. Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
  • Bake 35 to 45 minutes, until the color is a golden caramel, the top sets and looks dry, and a tester comes out clean. Cool the cowboy bars completely before cutting and serving.

Filed Under: Dessert + Baking, Easy, Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: baked goods, bars, blondies, brownies, cookies, cowboy blondies, cowboy cookie bars, cowboy cookie blondies recipe, cowboy cookies, laura bush, why are they called cowboy cookies?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liza says

    September 29, 2020 at 11:59 am

    5 stars
    Delicious. Better than the cookies!!!

    Reply
  2. b.b says

    September 29, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    5 stars
    These are full of everything delicious and very easy to make by hand because you don’t have to cream butter and sugar like a typical cookie recipe. 5 stars for sure.

    Reply
  3. Yvonne Y. says

    September 29, 2020 at 12:01 pm

    5 stars
    🙂 LOVED lOVED LOVED.

    Reply
  4. Jaime Iglehart says

    October 2, 2020 at 1:26 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! I made these today and they’re phenomenal! Thanks Lisa (and Laura Bush ; ))

    Reply
  5. Ricki says

    October 5, 2020 at 7:39 pm

    5 stars
    Wow these are amazing and addictive! They went very quickly !
    Thankyou Lisa !

    Reply
  6. Charlotte says

    October 8, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    5 stars
    These. Are. Delicious! Definitely the perfect rustic sweet treat. I made them for a camping/hiking trip, and everyone was giddy every time I pulled them out of the bag. I altered the proportions a little to make a 9×13 — I used a little less butter than proportionally called for, but they were still delicious…perhaps a lil’ crumblier than the original recipe.

    Reply
  7. Karen says

    October 13, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    I made these last week and they were delicious! My daughter stopped by and saw them, cut some up and put them in the microwave to warm up – heavenly! Added some vanilla ice cream – amazing! Thanks Lisa for another great recipe.

    Reply
    • Unpeeled says

      October 13, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      Yea! I am so glad you love them. The vanilla ice cream on top — what a good idea! Blondie Sundae. Thanks for writing.

      Reply
  8. Sarah in SoCal says

    December 11, 2020 at 11:53 am

    5 stars
    OH MY GOD THESE ARE ADDICTIVE!!!

    Reply
  9. Carrie says

    January 17, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    Is it okay to substitute unsweetened for sweetened coconut flakes? Do I need to adjust amount of sugars?

    Reply
    • Unpeeled says

      January 17, 2021 at 9:22 pm

      Hi, Carrie! I have made them both ways. No need to adjust the amount of sugar in the blondie batter; just choose whichever coconut you prefer. Great question.

      Reply
  10. Sharon says

    January 20, 2021 at 4:53 pm

    5 stars
    These are by far the best blondes I’ve ever made!!! I’m sure to be making them again and again. Thanks for the great recipe..

    Reply
    • Unpeeled says

      January 20, 2021 at 5:46 pm

      Yea!!! So glad you love them. They’re one of my favorite recipes on the whole website. Thanks for the great feedback!

      Reply
  11. Vicki L. says

    February 5, 2021 at 7:24 pm

    5 stars
    Love, love, love these! Definitely will make them again. A crowd fave!

    Reply
  12. Lisa says

    February 18, 2021 at 11:18 am

    5 stars
    Good morning Lisa!
    So my boyfriend & his cowboy buddies have decided I’m a rockstar thanks to your Cowboy Blondies!!!

    They are “real” cowboys, and are in S.A.R., Mounted Posse Patrol here in Cali., so it was only “right” to “arm” them w/ these I very delicious treats!

    This is the first time I’ve ever bake blondies that did one out too dry. This was a very easy-to-follow recipe & very satisfying !
    Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipes- I’m truly enjoying cooking &baking again after a long absence from the kitchen (both professionally & at home).
    Thank you

    Reply
  13. Lisa says

    February 18, 2021 at 11:35 am

    Lisa do you have a Blondie -type – recipe that includes seedless raspberry jam?

    Thanks!
    Lisa

    Reply
    • Unpeeled says

      February 18, 2021 at 1:01 pm

      Hi! I do not, unfortunately! But I wonder if these would be good. I usually find Smitten Kitchen to be very reliable: https://smittenkitchen.com/2019/05/raspberry-crumble-tart-bars/

      Reply
  14. Julia says

    February 23, 2021 at 3:15 pm

    5 stars
    THE best blondies I’ve made. Seriously. Everyone should make this recipe. xoxoxox

    Reply
  15. Denise Smith says

    August 13, 2021 at 5:46 pm

    Are rolled oats the same as old fashioned oats? Please let me know.

    Reply
    • Unpeeled says

      August 13, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      Great question and yes. They are the same thing. Just avoid quick oats, which are too fine. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  16. Pam Watkins says

    October 28, 2022 at 2:25 pm

    My husband does not like coconut. Can it be omitted?

    Reply
    • Unpeeled says

      October 28, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      Absolutely. No problem.

      Reply

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