Pride of Iowa Cookies is an award-winning sweet and super chewy old-fashioned oatmeal cookie that is a favorite here in the Heartland.  Quaker Oats company has been situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, since the 1950s, and almost every family I know here in Iowa has a slight variation of this classic cookie!

If you thumb through any old Iowan church cookbook, you will see the Pride of Iowa Cookie in almost every single one.  And for a good reason.  This simple, inexpensive, chewy cookie is a recipe that can be whipped up in just a few minutes, and your kids will go nuts over it!

Ingredients Needed

Yield 20 cookies 

1 cup flour

1/2 cup white sugar White Sugar

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Salt

1/2 cup of shortening or softened butter at room temperature

1 Egg

One teaspoon of pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Shredded Coconut

1 1/2 cups of quick-cook oats.

This cookie can be a blank canvas for your creativity.  Many variations of this cookie include walnuts, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, m&m Candies,  butterscotch chips, or dried fruit.

* Recipe Note*. When you add chocolate chips to this recipe, it reminds me of an Almond Joy, and it tastes amazing!  

Pride of Iowa cookies are an easy oatmeal cookie recipe. Perfect for serving tea or coffee on a cold day.  I started making this recipe close to the holidays.   It is nice to have a “healthier” cookie option on the cookie platter at holiday parties.  These cookies can also be made nut-free, so they are great for serving at various events.   These simple drop cookies are easy to prepare; no chilling is necessary for this recipe.  This cookie has also become a favorite after-school snack in our house.  My oldest son says he doesn’t like coconut, and I haven’t told him yet that the coconut is the star of this recipe!

This has become a favorite cookie in our house over the years.  I love that it differs from a traditional monster cookie, and the coconut adds more chewiness.

Equipment

Electric Mixer- stand or hand mixer

Large Bowl or Medium Bowl

Cookie Sheets Lined with parchment paper

Cookie Scoop

Instructions

1. In a medium size mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients.  Flour, quick oats, salt,  baking powder, and baking soda.  Set Aside.

2. In a second mixing bowl, cream shortening or butter,  white sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla, using a mixer at medium-low speed to medium speed.

3. Add in Coconut last, along with any other add-ins.  ( chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, etc.)

4. Using a Cookie Scoop, drop 1-inch balls of dough onto a lined baking sheet and press down with a fork or spoon.

5. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

6. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before removing the cookie from the baking sheet.

5 from 1 vote

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Pride of Iowa Cookies

Pride of Iowa Cookies is an award-winning sweet and super chewy old-fashioned oatmeal cookie that is a favorite here in the Heartland.  

Servings 20 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening or softened butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1.5 cups quick oats

Instructions

1. In a medium size mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients.  Flour, quick oats, salt,  baking powder, and baking soda.  Set Aside.

2. In a second mixing bowl, cream shortening or butter,  white sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla, using a mixer at medium-low speed to medium speed.

3. Add in Coconut last, along with any other add-ins.  ( chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, etc.)

4. Using a Cookie Scoop, drop 1-inch balls of dough onto a lined baking sheet and press down with a fork or spoon.

5. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

6. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before removing the cookie from the baking sheet.

Storage

These cookies should be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.  You can also freeze these cookies in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months.

Are you looking for more recipes that originated in Iowa?  You should also check out the following:

Iowa Ham Balls

Hot Beef Sundaes

Puppy Chow Squares 

Pork Chop Sandwiches 

Did you try making these Pride of Iowa Cookies?  How did you like them?  I would love to hear from you!  Please comment below this blog post or tag me on social media and let me know how they turned out for you!  You can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

Also, check out,

25 Midwest-Inspired Cookie Recipes!

What is your favorite Midwest-Inspired Cookie?