The cookie competition pits Laura Bush's "Texas Governor's Mansion Cowboy Cookies" up against "Tipper Gore's Ginger Snaps."

This is the third Family Circle magazine cookie cook-off. If history is any indication you may want to stick with the Democrats. First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton won each of the first two Family Circle contests with her chocolate chip cookies. Clinton first rolled out her recipe in a chocolate chip cookie showdown with then-first lady Barbara Bush. And in 1996, she used the recipe to crush Elizabeth Dole, wife of candidate Bob Dole, and her pecan roll cookies.

GMA's Sara Moulton tries them both out so our audience can decide just how the cookie will crumble. Have fun with both the Democrats and Republicans in your life by trying both recipes.

Ingredients

Directions

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 17 to 20 minutes
Yield: About 3 dozen cookies (see note below)

1. Heat oven to 350 F.

2. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl.

3. In 8-quart bowl, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugars; beat to combine, 2 minutes.

4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla.

5. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut and pecans.

6. For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart.

7. Bake in 350 F oven 17 to 29 minutes, until edges are lightly browned; rotate sheets halfway through. Remove cookies from rack to cool.

Note: For 6 dozen small cookies, use 2 tablespoons dough for each. Bake at 350 F for 15 to 18 minutes.

Copyright 2000, Laura Bush

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