Laura Bush’s Famous Cowboy Cookies Won the ‘00 Election

Election season can get pretty intense, but if there’s one thing that can bring the country back together, it’s dessert. 

Back in 1992, Family Circle magazine created the First Lady Bake-Off, hoping to add a touch of sweetness to the campaign trail. Readers were invited to vote on cookie recipes submitted by First Ladies (or First Lady hopefuls), getting a taste of their home life through their best recipes.

For the first two election cycles, Hillary Clinton’s chocolate chip cookies won over voters. So, when Laura Bush joined the race in 2000, she needed something that stood out from the standard cookie playbook. Inspired by Texas roots, Bush brought her Cowboy Cookies to the ballot—a mix of hearty, homestyle ingredients with a flavor as bold as the Lone Star State. 

While Tipper Gore’s gingersnaps put up a good fight, Bush’s Cowboy Cookies ultimately clinched the popular vote—and still go down in bake-off history today.

What Are Cowboy Cookies? 

Cowboy Cookies, or Ranger Cookies, are classic American cookies known for their hearty and flavorful ingredients. The origin of the name is uncertain, but theories suggest that it’s the filling, satisfying mix of flavors that makes these treats fit for a cowboy.

What ties the genre of “cowboy cookies” together is a chewy oatmeal cookie base. Otherwise, the concept is very versatile, allowing for different flavor combinations every time you bake—think of it as the Wild West of cookie recipes. You can use chocolate chips or butterscotch chips, chopped pecans or chopped walnuts, and even toss in toffee bits or crushed pretzels if you wish (consider it an “everything but the kitchen sink” approach).

Laura Bush’s cowboy cookies—officially titled the Texas Governor’s House Cowboy Cookies—have a few key features that make them legendary. First, they’re massive (everything’s bigger in Texas, after all). Secondly, they incorporate the holy trifecta of mix-ins: coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips. This combination offers the perfect balance of sweetness, nuttiness, and depth.

Additionally, the inclusion of cinnamon adds unexpected warmth and coziness to the cookie, making it a crowd-pleaser across the country. Her recipe is simple and timeless, ensuring it will continue to delight fans through election seasons to come.

How To Make Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies 

The former First Lady’s recipe can yield up to six dozen cookies, depending on their size. The larger the cookies, the chewier they will be—so if you prefer your cookies on the chewy side, make them Texas-sized.

In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Add in three eggs, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated, along with a tablespoon of vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Then, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until consistent. Stir in oats, coconut, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips, then drop spoonfuls onto a lined baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of ways to switch up this recipe, and there are really no wrong answers—take risks, and you just might win the popular vote.