Laura Bush's Texas Cowboy Cookies

This Presidential election has found my family more involve and interested in what's going on and the issues each candidate proposes.  The foodie in my finds The Presidential Cookie Contest interesting and delicious!!  The Family Circle Magazine has hosted it and since 1992, when Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush bumped spatulas, The First Lady cookie contest has been a terrific tradition and political pacesetter. All but one winner went on to live in the White House. 
 I'm excited to try out the two cookies from the latest contest: Michelle Obama's Mama Kaye's White and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie and Ann Romney's M&M Cookies.  It was a tight race with Michelle Obama's cookies getting 51.4% of the votes and Ann Romney's getting 48.5 %.  I believe it was the closest contest ever which makes me want to try both cookies and have my family pick the winner.  For today, I went back in time to the 2000 Presidential Cookie Contest winner Laura Bush!!  They are soft. chewy and delicious! 
While we are on the subject of cookies Become a Nanny has an awesome post dedicated to throwing a Kid's Cookie Decorating Party.  It is very organized. She gives tons of great ideas to help take the stress out of planning the party, so you can relax and enjoy it and the kids will LOVE it!!

Laura Bush's Texas Cowboy Cookies
From my friend Sharon
3 cups flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 sticks butter at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups sweetened flake coconut (I only used 1 cup)
• 2 cups chopped pecans (8 ounces) (I omited due to allergies)

Preheat oven to 350°. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl

In 8-quart bowl, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugars and continue beating to combine, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut and pecans.

For each cookie, *drop 1/4 cup of dough onto greased cookie sheet, spacing 3 inches apart. Bake 17 to 20 minutes, until edges are lightly browned. Remove to rack to cool.
*I used my big cookie scoop and baked them 10 minutes.

These were a yummy change from my normal oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.