Christmas Cowboy Cookies, ideal for the holiday season, are thick and delectable cookies that offer a flavor explosion in each bite.
This decadent recipe is packed with so much goodness in each bite and one of the Best Cookies for Santa. It is such a hearty cookie and can satisfy any sweet tooth. You may also love these Christmas Cookie Bars for a delicious variation.
We love to make this year round as it is easy to adapt for any occasion. You can easily change the color of the M&M’s for any celebration or just because. Also try Christmas No Bake Cookies, Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, and Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe.
Make sure to check out all of our Christmas Desserts and 12 Days of Christmas Cookies along with Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats and Christmas Pancakes Ideas. I also love to make Grinch Cupcakes Recipe.
Table of Contents
Why are Cowboy Cookies Popular?
Cowboy cookies were made famous when Laura Bush submitted her recipe for the Texas Governor’s Mansion Cowboy Cookies in 2000. It is one of the most popular presidential cookie recipes.
This type of cookie is loaded with lots of tasty mix ins. It starts with basic chocolate chip cookie dough but with coconut, white chocolate, milk chocolate, nuts, oats, M&M’s and more.
We are making the Christmas version today with festive red and green M&M’s. They look great and taste delicious.
Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup.
- Baking Soda. Best Baking Soda Substitutes
- Ground Cinnamon. This enhances the flavor.
- Unsalted Butter. Softened
- Brown Sugar. You can also use Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe.
- Large Eggs. Room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract. Pure vanilla extract.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats. Not quick coating.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. You can use milk chocolate but semi-sweet helps to cut down on the sweetness.
- White Chocolate Chips. I like to use Ghirardelli.
- Pecans. Chopped.
- Coconut Flakes. Sweetened coconut.
- M&Ms. Red and Green M&Ms.
Check out the full list of ingredients and recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Add-ins and Variations
- Raisins
- Dried Cranberries
- Chopped Walnuts
- Peanut Butter Chips
- Butterscotch Chips
- Chocolate Chunks
- M&M’s. You can use any seasonal type of M&M’s for this recipe. Try pastel for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, red and pink for Valentines and more.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1. Preheat the oven and prepare the baking sheets. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2 – In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, powder, ground cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
Step 3 – Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream together the butter with the sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 4 – Then add in the eggs one at a time and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Step 5 – Gradually add in the flour mixture, mixing after each addition, until just combined. Be careful not to over mix.
Step 6 – Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, pecans, sweetened flaked coconut and half of the M&M. Use a cookie scoop to drop balls of the cookie dough onto the lined baking sheets.
Step 7 – Press the remaining M&M into the tops of the cookies.
- Step 8. Bake the cookies. Bake for 11-13 minutes until the edges of the cookies are set and slightly browned. You may not need the full baking time depending on your oven.
- Step 9. Allow to set. Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then move them to wire cooling racks to cool completely.
Recipe Tips
- Measure the flour carefully. It is best to spoon the flour into the measuring cup instead of scooping it. This will ensure you don’t use too much flour and make the cookies crumbly.
- Allow to cool. Leave the cookies on the baking sheet a few minutes before you move them to a wire rack. This will give them time to set and hold their shape.
- Cookie Scoops make it easy. We love to use cookie scoops to form the cookies into balls. This will ensure they are all uniform.
Can I Make This Recipe Without Coconut?
Yes, this recipe can easily be made without shredded coconut. You will need to add something in its place or increase another ingredient. Try adding more nuts or chocolate chips.
Change the flavor and use something different such as peanut butter morsels, raisins, butterscotch chips or anything you like. There are so many combination ideas to try with these cookies.
Storage
Store the leftover cookies at room temperature in an airtight container or bag. Store the cookies with a slice of bread to keep them soft. They will last up to 5 days.
Can I Freeze?
You can extend their shelf life by freezing the cookies. Wrap in plastic wrap and then place inside a freezer container. They can be frozen up to a month.
If you prefer to freeze the cookie dough, make the balls and place on a sheet pan. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours to flash freeze the dough.
Then transfer to a freezer container and freeze up to a month. When ready to serve, bake as normal but increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
More Easy Cookie Recipes
- Avalanche Cookies
- M&M Christmas Cookies
- Caramel Stuffed Cookies
- Christmas White Chocolate Oreos
- Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
- Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
- Best M&M Cookie Recipe
We love hearing from you. If you make these Cowboy Christmas Cookies, make sure to leave us a comment.
Christmas Cowboy Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/2 cups Old-Fashioned Oats
- 3/4 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 3/4 cup White Chocolate Chips
- 3/4 cup Chopped Pecans
- 3/4 cup Sweetened Coconut Flakes
- 1 1/2 cups Red and Green M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, powder powder, ground cinnamon and salt. Then set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream together the butter with the sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Then add in the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Gradually add in the flour mixture, mixing after each addition, until just combined. Be careful not to over mix.
- Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, pecans, coconut and half of the M&M. Use a cookie scoop to drop balls of the cookie dough onto the baking sheets.
- Press the remaining M&M into the tops of the cookies.
- Bake for 11-13 minutes until the edges of the cookies are set and slightly browned.
- Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then move them to wire racks to cool completely.
