Keto Cowboy Cookies are a delightful, low-carb treat, perfect for anyone following a ketogenic diet. They offer a fantastic way to satisfy your sweet cravings without the worry of added sugar or carbs. This recipe delivers a chewy texture combined with the delightful crunch of pecans and the tropical flavor of shredded coconut, creating a truly irresistible cookie experience. Forget searching in vain at the grocery store; a batch of these easy keto cookies is quick to make and far superior to anything store-bought.
What are Cowboy Cookies?
Traditional cowboy cookies are essentially loaded chocolate chip cookies, packed with ingredients like oats, pecans (or walnuts), shredded coconut, and a hint of cinnamon. Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies gained significant popularity, and this recipe provides a low-carb, keto-friendly adaptation of that classic.
Why This Recipe Works
This keto cowboy cookie recipe is a work in progress, crafted to achieve the ideal cookie texture. Finding a great cookie texture in keto baking can be challenging, but this recipe rises to the occasion. The coconut plays a dual role, mimicking the texture of oatmeal while providing flavor and moisture. These cookies strike a perfect balance, offering a slightly crisp exterior with a chewy interior.
Ingredients
- Almond Flour: Replacing traditional wheat flour, almond flour keeps these cookies keto-friendly and gluten-free. Super-fine almond flour is recommended for the best results.
- Butter: Use softened butter to ensure a creamy texture. Coconut oil can be substituted for a gooier result.
- Sweetener: A combination of white and brown sugar substitutes is used to achieve the desired sweetness. Lakanto Golden and Lakanto Classic are good choices, but Swerve can also work well. Erythritol-based brown sugar replacements help create a crispy-chewy texture.
- Egg: A large, room-temperature egg is essential for binding the ingredients.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Almond Butter: Creamy almond butter adds to the chewiness of the cookies.
- Unsweetened Desiccated Coconut: Provides both flavor and a texture similar to oatmeal.
- Chopped Pecans: Add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. Toasting the pecans can enhance their flavor and texture.
- Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips: Contribute sweetness without adding sugar. Sugar-free chocolate chunks can be used for a meltier chocolate experience.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and complements the other flavors.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Molasses: A touch of molasses adds a darker color and warm flavor. The amount of carbs added to the recipe is negligible.
- Gelatin: A little grass-fed gelatin helps give the cookies a chewier consistency but is entirely optional.
- Oat Fiber: Traditional cowboy cookies include oats, but oats contain a decent amount of carbs. Oat fiber is a great substitute. If you aren’t following a strict keto diet, you can replace the oat fiber with ½ cup of old-fashioned oats.
- Pea Protein Powder: An alternative to collagen peptide powder, adding vanilla pea protein powder enhances the flavour.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Toast the nuts (optional): For added flavor, spread the pecans and coconut flakes on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool.
- Cream the butter and sweetener: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sweetener until light and fluffy. A stand mixer works best for this step.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix well.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, gelatin (optional), cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Stir in the mix-ins: Fold in the sugar-free chocolate chips, toasted pecans, and unsweetened coconut.
- Chill the dough (optional): For best results, cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Form the cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake: Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The cookies will be soft when they come out of the oven but will firm up as they cool.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Don't overbake: Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies.
- Use parchment paper: Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Toast the nuts: Toasting the pecans and coconut enhances their flavor and texture.
- Experiment with chocolate: Feel free to use different types of sugar-free chocolate chips or chunks.
Variations
- Keto Cowboy Cookie Bars: Press the cookie dough into a baking pan and bake for a bar version.
- Nut-Free: Replace pecans with sunflower seeds or other seeds.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger for a warmer flavor.
- Chocolate Chunk: Use sugar-free chocolate bars instead of chocolate chips for larger chunks of melted chocolate.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information for these cookies is approximately 115.52 kcal per cookie, with 4.08g carbohydrates, 2.69g protein, 10.78g fat, 89.23mg sodium, 32.95mg potassium, 2.86g fiber, 0.49g sugar, 22.82mg calcium and 0.56mg iron.Note: Nutritional facts are approximate and will vary depending on the ingredients used.
Storage Instructions
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto