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An old classic treat with a few fun twists, these delicious cookies are loaded with chocolate chips, sweet toffee bits and crisp toasted pecans.
This one's going to be short and sweet because I've got a hurricane "herd" headed my way!
A British herd, to be precise. Yup, probably about the time you read this post, that little herd will be galloping through the custom/immigration gates straight into the arms of a very happy Papa and Grammy. It's our daughter Cait, her husband Josh and their four little ones, Annie, Ellie, Lilly and Luke, who will be arriving from London for a summer visit. And though it does, at times, seem a bit like a hurricane that's blowing into our quiet, empty-nester lives, we love every second of the chaos, commotion and comedy.
It just wouldn't be right for this Grammy to not have a sweet treat waiting for the children under the cake dome. I was certain you would agree so I picked a recipe I knew you would love too. It's an old favorite cookie that's been around forever though I changed it up just a bit.
The story's told that Cowboy Cookies are so hearty and delicious that cowboys carried them when riding the trails. Someone even called these cookies "the original power bars" dating back to those old Wild West days. I'm not sure that this is the true history of these fun cookies but I do know that the little cowboys (girls) that'll be hanging around our campfire this weekend, are going to flip when they peek under the cake dome.
Okay, so I had to put my own little Café signature on these classic, old-fashioned cookies. You knew that, right? I added one of my favorite little cookie-flavor-poppers; toffee bits. I love the sweet buttery taste and the bit of crunch these give to cookies, brownies, bars, etc. You'll find them in the chocolate chip section of many grocery stores (I can always find them at Super Walmart).
I also used a combination of milk chocolate and mini semi sweet chocolate chips and while the oven was preheating, I popped my pecans in the oven with a tiny drizzle of honey and olive oil to toast them till golden and crisp.
And since I truly believe that we taste with our eyes before food ever hits our mouth, I employed a favorite little trick of mine. I reserve a small portion of the chocolate chips and pecans and, after the cookies are in the oven for 10 minutes, I scatter a few of the pretty chips and nuts on top of each cookie. Then it's back in the oven for another 3-5 minutes to complete the baking. It takes a bit more time and it's definitely not necessary but it you want the finished cookies to look they emerged from a fine bakery, give this simple little technique a try!
One last thing. This recipe makes a HUGE amount cookies. Don't worry though, they freeze beautifully and make wonderful small gifts for friends, teachers, neighbors, etc. That reminds me, I need to pull a few of mine out of the freezer right now as there's a herd (and a hurricane) headed my way!
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup or 2 sticks butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanila extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup semi sweet mini chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup toffee bits
- 1 ½ cups crushed cornflakes I just overfill the cup, then push down on them with my hand to crush to 1 cup.
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Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium size bowl. Set aside.
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Combine pecans, olive oil, honey and salt on in a small pan lined with parchment paper or foil. Place in oven for 3 minutes. Remove and stir to coat pecans with oil/honey mixture. Return to oven and bake for another 6-7 minutes or until pecans are golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
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Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minute or until light and fluffy, scraping down the bowl half way through.
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Add eggs, once at a time while continuing to beat. Add vanilla and mix.
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With mixer on low speed, add prepared flour mixture, beating until just combined. Add oats, chocolate chips (both kinds) coconut, toffee bits, cornflakes and prepared pecans. (If you want your cookies to look extra special, reserve about 2 tablespoons of each of the chips and 2 tablespoons of the toasted pecans for garnish - see directions for this is step 6). Mix until everything is incorporated.
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Scoop up dough (I use an ice cream scoop that holds 3 tablespoons) and roll into balls with your hands. Place on prepared sheet pans, spacing the cookies 2-inches apart. Flatten each cookie slightly with the palm of your hand. Bake for 10 minutes. If you've reserved some of the chocolate chips and pecans for garnish, remove cookies from oven at this point and scatter a few chocolate chips and pecans over the top of each cookie. Return to oven for another 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. (If you are in a hurry and don't want to do this extra step, just bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until golden.) Let cookies cool on sheet pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.
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Store in an airtight container or freeze in a covered container.
* I have a 6-quart KitchenAid mixer which is plenty big for this recipe. If, after adding the flour, your mixing bowl is quite full, just transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon.
gloria webber says
How many cookies does this recipe make???
please
Chris Scheuer says
Yes, it won't be quite the same but it will still be good. I would use a teaspoon of dried rosemary.
N.C. says
Hi Chris,
Tried these and they were a big hit. Since you seem to come up with the best recipes in the world, do you have any sensational oatmeal raisin cookie recipe? Also, what would you say are your top 5 best cookies?
Cindy says
I made these about a week ago and YUM! My hubby loved them. The dough was quite crumbly and hard to form into cookies but baked then up nicely. Is this normal? The only thing I subbed was 1/2 coconut oil for the butter. Definitely a keeper. Thanks for sharing!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Cindy,
I'm not sure if the coconut oil would make the dough more crumbly or not. Some butter has less moisture than others which could possibly be the problem also???
Danae says
Chris, what can I say you did it again, you had me at toffee bits, yum!!!! just want to dive in the screen and have me one...
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Chocolate, toffee, pecans?! What's not to love about these incredible cookies!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
I'd definitely refer to these as power bars. Just so I could have one (or two; or ...._) after I exercise. Which I do often, just so I could refuel with power bars! Terrific cookie -- thanks. Have fun with the hurricane!
Susan says
Your sure know how to make a mouth water, Chris! Oh my, I have to try these for our grandsons (and myself). Hope your enjoying the best time with your family!
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
Yum, Chris. Your cookies look delish. Glad you are getting some time with the Grands.
Diane (Created by Diane) says
Where have these been all my life....they are going to the top of my to do list right now!
TheKitchenLioness says
Dear Chris, hope you will have the most special and wonderful time with all your grand-children, your daughter and your son-in-law - you are the best grand-mother with the most spectacular cookies waiting! And since Cowboy Cookies are Freya´s favorites, I think I will send her over to your place!
Andrea
Patty says
I wish I lived next door to you!
Great cookie recipe for the little people, thanks for sharing Chris 😉
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Oh I know you're having a blast right now - a house full of wonderful 🙂 They will have plenty of energy after eating a few of these amazing cookies. Those toffee bits sound perfect with all that chocolate. Yummy Chris! Have a happy hurricane!
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
I would gladly saddle up and ride my horse to your coast for a batch of these! I love that you are ready with your cake dome filled with cookies for your Grandtots. My grandmother always baked before we visited and I love that! Enjoy your visit!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Hey Pardner, pass those cookies on over here before the hordes consume them all! They look fantastic.
I've *finally* got my own horde coming next month and I think these cookies will be perfect to say 'welcome home' with.
Have the best time and share all the photos that gramps takes!
Liz says
Oooh, you're speaking my language! Cannot wait to try these. Enjoy the British invasion!!! xo
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Chris, you have the most fabulous cookies and some very lucky family having these to greet them after their travels 🙂 Have a wonderful visit with your family!
Denise says
These remind me of Ranger Cookies too. 😉 They look delicious, you could substitute butterscotch or even white chocolate chips. MMMMMmmmmmm good!
Renee Wilson-Wright says
Chris, how wonderful for you and Scott that the family is coming!! These cookies look and sound so good, I can't wait to try them. If they taste as good as the "I want to marry you" cookie, then I am about to be a really popular hostess, I have family coming next weekend.
Enjoy the family! May God bless.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
wow lots of chocolate!!These cookies look decadent!
Helen says
How nice to have the grandchildren visiting! Enjoy yourselves. Just a question: 4 cups total of various chocolate chips? A suggestion for those that can't use the shredded coconut (I can't), just leave it out; I have and the cookies are still marvelous tasting. I have used finely chopped dried fruit as a marvelous surprise addition (try dried peaches or apricots since they pair well with chocolate/toffee) and used walnuts instead of pecans since they are readily available for us in the West.
cheri says
Hi Chris, oh these cookies are a great way to celebrate, I bet your grandkids can't wait to see you every summer.
Karen says
These cookies look wonderful. I have a problem though! My husband cannot eat coconut! A shame since I LOVE it. Any suggestions on how to substitute?. I want to make these beauties.
Enjoy your well deserved family time.
Debi says
Do you like raisins or dried cherries? You could split the batter in half and add coconut to your half and leave the other without. There's always mini marshmallows! :0) Good luck!!!
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
There is nothing better than spending time with our beloved grandkids. Mine always love it when I make a special treat for them. Thanks for the recipe, Chris. I've been looking for a new one and I love it when cookies are filled with lots of extra goodies.
Monique says
Pinning:)
Hope I see all the dolls soon on your posts:) You must be so excited..!
Your heart overflowing with joy!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
All I can say is that you have the luckiest grandkids in the world - your cookies are spectacular!