Christmas Cowboy Cookies

You’re going to love Christmas Cowboy Cookies! Grab a bag of holiday-coloured M&M’s and let’s get baking!

The burst of chocolate flavors with the texture of the oatmeal and coconut make this a filling but satisfying cookie to enjoy.

This Christmas Cowboy Cookies recipe is adapted from my recipe for classic cowboy cookies. Laura Bush help make these cowboy cookies famous if you love her cookies your going to love the Christmas ones.

I made half a batch of old fashioned cowboy Christmas cookies and also made them a bit smaller.

Another great Christmas cookie for cookie exchanges and the holiday dessert platter if they last that long.

If you want to go big, you can use the original recipe and just add in the red and green M&M’s. Either way, you’re gonna love these cookies!

Why you’ll love this cookie recipe

Simple ingredients and no fancy equipment is required
Customize this recipe for any holiday season! Use Valentine’s M&M’s in February and so on!
A sturdy cookie to make for bake sales and gift boxes, that will ship and package well.
Can make ahead and freeze the dough to bake when ready

Ingredients for cowboy cookies Christmas

Ingredients for cowboy cookies on a marble board.

For a full list of ingredients, see the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Butter & eggs – should both be at room temperature.
Chocolate chips – use your favourite
Pecans
Brown sugar – I like to use light brown sugar in this recipe
Rolled oats – I use quick oats in this recipe. If you’re out, you can use large oats, but pulse them two or three times in a food chopper or food processor first to break them down.
Coconut – I use sweetened flaked coconut. You could easily use unsweetened because these cookies have a lot of sweetness already!

Substitutions for cowboy Christmas cookies

Use your favorite dark, milk or white chocolate chips or a mixture of them in these holiday cowboys cookies.

Walnuts can be used instead of pecans in this fun cookie recipe.

Step by step instructions for making Christmas cowboys cookies recipe

This recipe comes together pretty quickly. You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer or you could even mix these cookies by hand if you wish.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Dry ingredints in a mixing bowl with a spoon.

Start by mixing together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon salt. Stir until well-combined and set aside.

Be sure to fluff up your flour before scooping it into your measuring cup with a spoon. Scoop it in and level it off with a knife.

Butter and sugar in mixing bowl from stand mixer.

Next, add butter to mixing bowl and beat it for one minute until it’s smooth. The butter should be softened at room temperature. If the butter is too soft, the cookies will spread too much.

Add in both granulated sugar and brown sugars and beat until it’s nice and fluffy.

Eggs are added to bowl from stand mixer.

Add in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Use a spatula to wipe down the side of your bowl often.

Dry ingredients are added to butter mixture.

Gradually add in the flour mixture using one-half cup at a time. Stir just until combined.

M&M candies, pecans and chocolate chips are added to the cookie dough.

Add in rolled oats and give them a quick stir just until combined.

Next, add in the pecans, chocolate chips, red and green M&Ms and coconut. (You may want to mix these ingredients in by hand as the batter will be quite thick. A stand mixer can easy handle it, but the dough might be too thick for a smaller hand mixer).

Cookie dough ball is dropped on baking sheet.

Drop the batter by heaping tablespoon onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Cowboy cookie on a Christmas pot holder.

Bake in 350°F oven for 12 to 14 minutes. The edges will be lightly browned and the cookie will still be a bit soft when you take them out of the oven.

They will continue to bake as you let them sit on the cookie tray for two to three minutes.

Transfer baked cookies to a wire cooling rack and enjoy!

Variations for easy Christmas cowboy cookies

Use your favorite flavoured chocolate chips or try Nestle Toll House Holiday morsels with walnuts instead or pecans.

Peanut Butter holiday M&M’s are also a great way to make and enjoy these Cowboy cookies.

Top tips for making the best Christmas cowboy cookies

Use room temperature butter and eggs is a good idea for the best results
Measure the flour correctly using the scoop and level method
I use quick oats in this recipe. If you’re out, you can use large oats, but pulse them two or three times in a food chopper or food processor first to break them down.
A smaller hand held mixer may have trouble mixing when you add the pecans, chocolate chips and M&M’s as the dough will be thick. Mixing by hand or a stand mixer will be better

Why are they called Cowboy cookies?

What are cowboy cookies? Several sources stated that Cowboy Cookies got their name from the days when cowboys would enjoy cookies out on the trail. These would be the ideal cookie for the trail, or backpacking or hiking. They travel well and are so filling and delicious!

Storage & freezing instructions for M&M Christmas cookies

Storage

Store in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days or in the fridge for 7 days.

Can you freeze cowboys cookies?

Yes! Store them in a freezer-safe container for 2 to 3 months.

You can also freeze the dough and bake them later. Measure cookies using a ¼ cup scoop, place the balls on a flat baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes, then place them in Ziplock freezer bags. You will need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time when ready to make.