Howdy partner! According to legend, cowboy cookies were enjoyed on the trail by real cowboys, sort of like the first power bars. Being an NC girl, we don't have a lot of cowboys driving cattle along days-long trails, so that's probably why it wasn't the most common cookie in my world. However, I have had them before and loved them - I am a sucker for oatmeal! - so when I found this recipe, and had all of the ingredients on hand, I knew I had to make them. Plus, they are called Mama Kate's Cowboy Cookies - who wouldn't want to make something made famous by someone called Mama Kate?! We loved them and I highly recommend. (They are also a favorite of former First Lady Laura Bush, who has a recipe on her cooking blog!)
Ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, butter, oatmeal, baking soda, salt, chocolate chips (optional), pecans (optional), coconut (optional), raisins (optional)
Step 1: Mix all ingredients together well. I chose to make them more like traditional cookie mixing methods, so I creamed the butter and sugar, added eggs, then dry ingredients, and finally, the chocolate chips, oatmeal, and nuts. You may have your own method, but that worked well for me. Step 2: Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 F for 12 minutes, or until golden around edges.
Mama Kate's Cowboy Cookies
Recipe:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1 egg
1 c. plain flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. rolled oats (oatmeal)
1/2 c. chocolate chips and/or coconut and/or raisins and/or nuts
Mix all ingredients together well. Fold in optional ingredients if desired. Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 F for 12 minutes, or until golden around edges.
Source: Vickie Sides, Break Bread with Us: Southside Baptist Church, 2006