Cowboy Cookies in a Jar is a really fun cookie mix gift to give to anyone that’s a fan of chocolate chip cookies.
These next-level cookies are bursting with chocolate, nuts, oats and even coconut.
You can think of Cowboy Cookies as a cross between buttery chocolate chip cookies and nutty cinnamon oatmeal cookies.
To accommodate all this yumminess, Cowboy Cookies are big—ideally 4″ round.
In fact, these cookies originated in Texas where they say everything is bigger (which is why you’ll need a 1/2 gallon jar for the cookie mix)!
As you can imagine, cowboy cookie mix made with a variety of chunky ingredients, layers up beautifully in mason jars.
For the recipient of this decadent cookie mix, I’ve included a free printable gift tag with baking directions.
Why We Love Cowboy Cookies in a Jar
- Cowboy Cookies are a fun gift to give to friends and family, teachers, co-workers and more. It’s a cost effective gift and the recipe is easily divided in half for smaller quart size jars.
- If you’re looking for a gift beyond regular chocolate chip cookie mix in a jar, Cowboy Cookies are it! This recipe makes oversized 4″ cowboy cookies!
- Making cowboy cookie mix jars is as simple as measuring and layering the ingredients in a mason jar.
- Jars of this western-themed cookie mix are fun to embellish. Possibilities include bandana ribbons, twine, leather, suede and more.
Cowboy Cookie Mix Ingredients
These are the dry ingredients needed to make cowboy cookie mix in a jar.
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- salt
- granulated sugar
- light brown sugar
- old-fashioned rolled oats
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- unsweetened coconut flakes
- pecans
To make the actual cookies, butter, eggs and vanilla extract are needed, as well.
How to Layer Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar
For this recipe you’ll need a half gallon mason jar. A wide mouth jar works best.
Be sure to pack down each layer before moving onto the next. Additionally, I like to add a separator (such as a flat muffin tin liner that’s trimmed to size) between each layer, but this step is optional.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add the flour mixture to the bottom of a one-quart mason jar and pack down.
- Add oats on top of flour layer and gently pack down.
- Layer chocolate chips on top of oats, followed by a layer of pecans and a layer of coconut flakes. Pack down each layer.
- For the last two layers, add in packed brown sugar, followed by white granulated sugar.
- Put lid on jar, add gift tag and decorations.
Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.
Cowboy Cookie Mix Layers
Layer 1: Flour Mixture (bottom of jar)
Layer 2: Oats
Layer 3: Chocolate Chips
Layer 4: Pecans
Layer 5: Coconut Flakes
Layer 6: Brown Sugar
Layer 7: Granulated Sugar (top of jar)
Layer 8: If you have extra space at the top, pack in some crumpled up parchment paper.
My Mason Jar Pick
BIG Cowboy Cookies call for a big half gallon jar. This wide-mouth mason jar has plenty of space for this oversized cookie mix.
Cowboy Cookie Mix Label for Gifts
Now for the creative part.
Attach a label with baking instructions to the jar and decorate with ribbons, strings and fabric if desired.
You can download my cowboy cookie gift tags (for personal use only) or write the instructions on a tag yourself.
The download is an 8.5×11″ pdf that has 3″x4″ tags. It comes with two designs for Christmas and three designs for any occasion.
For best results, print on white card stock.
Download Free Printable Cowboy Cookie Gift Tags
Baking Instructions to Attach:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup softened butter. Add in both sugars and beat until creamy. Beat in eggs and 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract. Remove coconut, chocolate, nuts and oats from jar. Set aside. Gradually stir in flour mixture. Stir in the coconut, chocolate, nuts and oats. Drop dough by 1/4 cup onto ungreased baking sheets 3″ apart. Bake for about 15 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 1 1/2 dozen 4″ cookies.
Tips for Making & Baking Cowboy Cookies
Don’t just dump all the ingredients in a bowl! This cowboy cookie mix is layered in the jar in such a way that the cookies can be prepared properly.
Scoop out the top two sugar layers and cream them together with the butter. This process adds air to the dough and is key to achieving the right cookie texture.
Set aside the add-in layers. Carefully remove the chocolate chips, pecans and coconut flakes from the jar and set aside. You’ll stir these in last.
Add the flour mixture and oats a little at a time. I like to add the flour to the butter/sugar mixture in several small amounts so it’s easier to combine.
Only bake cowboy cookies until golden brown. Overbaking results in dry cookies so remove them from the oven when the edges are golden brown even if they don’t appear fully done.
Then, let them cool on the tray for a couple minutes, remove them to a wire rack and cool some more, for a cookie that’s crisp on the edges and chewy in the center.
Why is it called a cowboy cookie?
During the 2000 presidential election, Family Circle magazine ran a cookie contest between the candidates’ wives. Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies won big. I’m assuming the name came from her west Texas, cowboy-country roots.
More Mason Jar Gift Ideas
- Easy Hot Cocoa in a Jar Gift Idea
- Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar (Gift Tags Included)
- How to Make Friendship Soup Mix in a Jar
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Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar
Cowboy Cookies in a Jar is an easy cookie mix mason jar gift that's layered with chocolate, nuts, coconut and oats. Perfect for gift-giving! This recipe makes mega-size 4" cowboy cookies!
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 tablespoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Additional Ingredients for Making the Cookies
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Instructions
How to Make Cowboy Cookie Mix in Jar
- In a small bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using a funnel, add to bottom of 1 quart mason jar. Pack down. Put flour mixture in clear bag before adding to jar, if preferred.
- In this order, add a layer of oats, chocolate chips, pecans and coconut to the jar, gently packing between each layer.
- Add a layer of brown sugar, followed by granulated sugar. If desired, put brown sugar in clear plastic bag to prevent drying.
- Seal the jar and attach instructions for baking the cowboy cookies for the gift recipient.
How to Make the Cowboy Cookies Using Jar Mix
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter. Add in granulated sugar and brown sugar and beat until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
- Carefully remove coconut flakes, pecans, chocolate chips and oats from jar and set aside.
- Gradually stir flour mixture into butter. Stir in coconut, pecans chocolate and oats.
- Drop 1/4 cup of cookie dough per cookie onto ungreased cookie sheet at least 3" apart. The cookies will be about 4" big.
- Bake about 15 minutes only until edges are light golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on sheets for 2 minutes. Remove from sheets to cooling rack until firm and cool.
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