It’s hard to beat a great chocolate chip cookie, but one trick is the addition of  pecans and coconut with a little hint of cinnamon . . .  mmmm, sounds good right?   The recipe is adapted from former first lady Laura Bush.  Family Circle magazine has a tradition of hosting a cookie contest between the wives of presidential candidates.  In 2000 this chunky chip cookie was the hands-down winner against  Tipper Gore’s ginger snaps.

The pecan tree is the state tree of Texas; however, I really can’t image the chuck wagon cook bringing coconut along for the trail ride . . . if he did, those would have been very happy cowboys!  Enjoy these cookies!

Cowboy Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

3⁄4 cup flour
3⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
3⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3⁄4 cup rolled oats
3⁄4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1⁄2 cup chopped pecans
1⁄2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Directions

Heat oven to 350°. In a bowl, whisk first 5 ingredients; set aside.

In mixer, beat butter until smooth.  Add sugars; beat until fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth.  Add flour mixture; beat to form a dough. Stir in oats, chocolate, pecans, and coconut. Form dough into 24 balls; divide between 2 parchment-lined baking sheets.  Bake until cooked through, 10-12 minutes. Let cool.

Makes 24 Cookies

recipe adapted from Saveur