FOOD NEWS
The Additional Ingredients That Make Cowboy Cookies Different From Oatmeal
BY AUSTIN HAVENS-BOWEN
Cowboy cookies are American treats that look very similar to oatmeal cookies, but a few additional ingredients make these two baked goods significantly different.
Cowboy cookie recipes can vary, but these treats typically include chocolate chips, rolled oats, shredded coconut, and toasted pecans in the cookie dough.
Oatmeal cookies are a much simpler yet broader category. They only need to contain oats to gain their name, though they often include raisins and spices like cinnamon as well.
Cowboy cookies are thought to date back to the early 1900s, when they were eaten by cowboys for sustenance on long work days. The cookies remain a beloved and decadent snack.
These cookies once called for just oatmeal and chocolate chips, before they gained their many other add-ins. Some recipes also use dried fruit like cranberries, cherries, or dates.