I’m counting down to the final weeks of my fifth pregnancy, and it never ceases to amaze me how awful I feel in the last month. Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond excited and grateful for this healthy pregnancy, and the fact that I get to welcome my fourth son into the family very soon. But honestly, if there was a way to get past the “I feel like I have the stomach flu” every day, I would. So because I have little appetite I am only eating what sounds fantastic to me. That translates to lots of cereal, chocolate chip ice cream and sweet treats. Yes, even though I am feeling rough I can’t pull myself away from the kitchen to bake. I think I’ve proven to my husband and kids I have quite an obsession with baking. The desire to bake something sweet never quite leaves me!
So the past few weeks I’ve been craving something sweet but substantial. I wanted a cookie, but a big one loaded with stuff. Only one type of cookie could fit this bill, and that is the beloved Cowboy Cookie, dairy, egg and nut free of course. Traditional Cowboy Cookies are loaded with raisins, coconut, chocolate chips, oats, dried fruit and God forbid…nuts. My family isn’t a fan of overly packed cookies with a bunch of “stuff” so I like to make my Cowboy Cookies with just some oats and chocolate chips. However, this recipe is meant to be adapted to whatever you like, so feel free to add or delete any of the ingredients.
Enjoy making your own version of this famous cookie! Happy Baking!
Dairy, Egg and Nut Free Cowboy Cookies
1 c. dairy free margarine
1 c. light brown sugar
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/4 c. unbleached all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. old fashioned oats
1 c. dairy free chocolate chips (I use Divvies or Enjoy Life)
Optional mix ins:
1/2 c. raisins, cranberries, or cherries
1/4 c. unsweetened coconut
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.
In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine dairy free margarine, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat until mixture is light and fluffy. Add applesauce and vanilla, and mix well.
In a seperate medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt with a wire whisk. Add to dairy free margarine mixture and combine until thoroughly mixed. Stir in oats, dairy free chocolate chips (and optional mix-ins if desired) with a rubber spatula.
Use a cookie scooper to place batter on parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake 15-17 minutes or just until light brown around the edges. Cool completely on cookie sheet and store in an airtight container for up until 5 days.
And I’m eating what I want because I’m at the *beginning* of pregnancy.
Well don’t these look tasty! Good luck with your last couple weeks of pregnancy. It is amazing how awful one can feel and yet still get up every day and keep the family and house going!
Looks yummy. We’ll have to try it soon. Yesterday for breakfast we made your oatmeal muffins from your book and they turned out great. Not too sweet, just right! I was in your shoes not too long ago, as my son was born in August. Prayers are with you this week as you are in the home stretch. Good luck!
Can’t wait to make these!
I’ve been looking for a non-allergy cookie recipe where I can make the dough, and then freeze it for later use (either by freezing the individual scoops of dough or making a log and cutting of cookie slices). I wonder if I could do that with this recipe so that I don’t eat it all at once!!
My daughter and son have these EXACT allergies and it is so nice to have found a blog and recipes that ift our needs!! Thank you!
Made these cookies with my daughter today. She LOVED them! Thanks for the post!
We made these this afternoon and they were delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
So funny nowheymama!! Jen, these are hearty drop cookies, and would do well frozen. Simply scoop out cookie batter onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, place in freezer until firm and then transfer frozen dough balls into a resealable freezer bag clearly labeled. Bake a few extra minutes until golden brown. So glad ya’ll are enjoy the cookies (I had SEVERAL yesterday….who says we bake just for our kids!) and thanks so much girls for the support…in the homestretch!!
Good luck Kelly – almost there! Thanks for the recipe – I had made a similar one in the past but lost it (and it wasn’t allergy free). It was really yummy and surprisingly my son liked the version w/the coconut better than the non-coconut version (who’d have though!?). Can’t wait to try these this weekend – we have a playdate and I volunteered to bring the “snacks”!
My son (16 months) has a soy, dairy, egg and peanut allergy. At this point the doctor has said that we can’t even use subsitutes. In this recipe could I use olive oil instead of the dairy free margarine? Do I subs 1 cup for 1 cup? Thanks so much for the help! I’ve been looking for a website like this for 6 months.
So it’s okay for nut-allergic kids yo have coconut? I’ve been wondering about that. I hear conflicting things. These sound yummy!
THanks Carla!!!!
Hi Amy, simply substitute Spectrum or Earth Balance in these recipe if you are eliminating soy as well. Good luck!
Great question Meredith, and believe me, I get asked it a lot. My son is highly allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, legumes and peas (all part of the nut/legume family). Many people question whether or not coconut is considered a tree nut, which it is not. However, that doesn’t mean you or your child cannot have an allergy to it. I hope that helps!
These sound awesome–these are like my kids’ favorite cookies! I didn’t know they were called cowboy cookies, though. Love the name!
Regarding coconut–the botanical name throws people off but as you say, it is a fruit, not a tree nut. Some people are allergic to tropical fruits, but if you have a nut allergy only, that doesn’t mean you can’t have coconut. Another one that comes up a lot is nutmeg–that is not a nut either, but the seed of a fruit.
When you’re on a restricted diet, it’s just nice to know that there are some things you can have. Of course everyone should check with their allergist about avoiding specific foods!
Interesting recipe. I’m going to give it a try … my son will anyway. He has a peanut allergy.
Thanks Jenny!!
Hi! I just found your blog last night on the Allergy Moms newsletter. I just made your Cowboy Cookies today. Love’em!!! I don’t think I will ever bake cookies again with egg! I could eat the batter!! So incredibly good!
Thanks for all your recipes, Kelly! I’m not a baker much at home so my son hasn’t really felt left out (because his older bro & sis didn’t get fresh baked cookies!) until he went to preschool this year. He’s had some sad moments that he’s shared after school but your recipes have given me confidence and motivation to become more of a baker. I was so frustrated by all the websites requiring the $25 annual fee when I only wanted a few good recipes. So I’ve really appreciated your blog so much. Can’t thank you enough!
thanks so much for your comments alisha and daisy!
LOVE these cookies!! Love ALL of the recipes so far!! LOVE not having to deal w/egg replacer too!! I’m at the end of my 3rd pregnancy and my 1st born (5 yrs) has food allergies. I’m a baker and have been baking for him from the beginning. We ALL eat this way now….except that I’ve just been diagnosed w/gest diabetes. I still sneak two small cowboy cookies w/milk in the middle of the night. The oats make it justifiable (and the fact that my sugar is fine in the morning)! Thank you for posting and allowing us in on your secrets.
Congrats Meggan!! You musht be due any day like me! I am totally with you on the oats thing…I am making a lot of these cookies lately because I keep telling myself they are healthier!! Thanks so much for your very sweet comments!!
I just made these cookies for my son. They are soooo good!! Most of the “max food” I make isn’t very good and the rest of the family won’t eat them. I know everyone will love these! This was my first recipe of yours I have tried and now I am on to your chocolate banana bread. Can’t wait! Thanks so much! All of us with food allregy children appreciate your site!
I forgot to mention, I made these with oat flour since he is allergice to wheat and only did coconut and cranberries since I had no non diary chips on hand. Delicious!
Kelly,
My Son is 14 months old and has egg and nut allergies. We were thrown through a loop and was so stuck on oh my goodness there is egg & nuts in everything. We were so afraid to feed him anything. Since then i have bought your book and i must say from the bottom of my heart, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. This book has saved my life and i have been telling others i know all about it. You are a true life saver and i can not believe how good these recipes really are. Best of Luck to you and all that you do for our kids with food allergies.
Take Care,
Tina