Texas Cowboy Cookies

 Makes about 18 large cookies        

Everything's bigger in Texas and these Cowboy cookies (sometimes called Texas Cow Chips) are no exception. They are crispy on the edges but chewy and moist in the middle, and have about a hundred mix-ins that all combine to create the Texas of all cookies.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup corn flakes
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped (and toasted!)
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1 cup (6 ounces) peanut butter chips (I used Reese's)
1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. If you want to toast your pecans (you do! you do!) chop them up and throw them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, until fragrant. Don't let them burn! Remove from heat and let cool while you make the dough.
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter until it is light and fluffy.
3. Add both sugars and beat well, scraping sides and bottom.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
5. Add the flour but don't mix it in. Add the salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the flour and use a small spoon to blend it with the flour a bit. Then mix in the flour, but stop before it's fully incorporated.
6. Add the oats, corn flakes, pecans, and coconut to the bowl. Mix in gently.
7. Add the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips and mix until everything is incorporated. Don't over mix, it will make your dough tough.
8. Chill the dough in the fridge for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours.*
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a couple baking sheets with parchment paper.
10. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop these onto the pan. Leave at least a couple inches in between each ball of dough.
11. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes, until the cookies are golden on the edges and they are not too shiny in the middle. (A little shine is okay.)
12. Let cool as long as you can before stuffing your face! These are great dipped in milk.

Recipe Notes

*If you are in a big hurry like I always am (Who's not in a hurry to eat cookies?) do my cheat-chill: Shape the dough onto pans as described above and toss in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then bake as directed. Or you could put the shaped dough into ziplock bags, freeze, and have cookies ready to be baked at a moments notice! (I always have cookies in my freezer. Always.)

Check out the lighter version here: Skinny Texas Cowboy Cookies

FROM  The Food Charlatan