Blast from the past: Ranger Cookies

16 years ago

The high school library clerk brought these in for the volunteers to have with lunch last week. They were out of this world and gone in 60 seconds (well, mostly). They are so popular that she brings printed recipes along as she knows she will be asked for one. She doesn't know the exact source other than a friend.

I googled it to see who was the originator - I think, based on what I saw, this is a variation of an oldie but goodie. I'm sure some of you will recognize it; I didn't.

I don't make cookies often, but this one I will!

Ranger Cookies

1/2 lb. butter, softened (two sticks)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1.5 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups AP flour

.75 tsp baking soda

.75 tsp baking powder

.5 tsp salt - optional

2 cups Quaker Oats, quick or old fashioned, uncooked

2 cups corn flakes

.75 - 1 cup sweetened shredded or flaked coconut

1. Heat oven to 350. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; mix well. Add oats, corn flakes and coconut, mix well.

2. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool for several minutes on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Makes about two dozen large cookies.

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Comments (12)

Rusty
16 years ago
Yes, Ranger Cookies have been around for many years.

I believe there are several 'variations'.
Maybe some slight differences.

Rusty
annie1992
16 years ago
Yes, I remember those too, but I haven't made them in a long time. Grandma's version included chocolate chips, but maybe it was just because Grandma loved chocolate...

Annie
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becky_ca
16 years ago
My girlfriend makes these all the time - she swears that you can use any cereal, any dried fruit and just about any other cookie filler you can think of. She made some last week that had miniature marshmallows and craisins in them. My 15yo son adores them :-)

Becky
aliceinmd
16 years ago
Oooohhh, those are so good that even coconut-haters like them. The version I grew up eating in Ohio in the sixties had Rice Krispies instead of corn flakes. Mmmm Must make some Ranger Cookies this week. Thanks for the reminder!
gabriell_gw
16 years ago
The recipe I have calls for Frosted Flakes. They are so good.
grainlady_ks
16 years ago
Another family favorite for many, many years that my mother used to make, and now my daughter and granddaughter makes them.

The recipe I use is very similar to the original post...plus chocolate chips. I've also added mini M&Ms instead of chocolate chips, and about any kind of crispy cereal. I use my homemade cereal, the kind I make with gluten, to increase the protein and reduce the carbs. I have some lovely, crunchy, freeze-dried coconut I should try in a recipe and see how it works.

I haven't made Ranger Cookies in awhile, so I'll take the original post as the inspiration to do so very soon. I don't think anyone around here will mind...

-Grainlady

RANGER COOKIES

Cream together:
2 sticks butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla

Sift together:
2 c. flour
1 t. soda
1/2 t. baking powder

Combine dry ingredients with creamed mixture and add (mixing well):
2 c. cornflakes
1 c. coconut
2 c. oatmeal
1 c. chocolate chips

Bake in 350Â°F preheated oven.
sally2_gw
16 years ago
Those do look good. I made some coconut-oatmeal cookies back in July for a co-worker's birthday, but they didn't have cereal in them. I never would have thought to add cereal to cookies. At least, not this kind of cookie. I'll have to copy and paste these recipes. The hard part is deciding which to try! Unfortunately, my DIL is allergic to coconut. I'll just have to make something different for her.

Sally
lpinkmountain
16 years ago
These were staples at the Girl Scout camp I worked at in the 80's. And yes, ours had chocolate chips in them. Can leave out the coconut too. I might have to make some, as I have some whole grain rice crispies languishing on the shelf. Not enough left to make rice crispie treats.
User
16 years ago
Sounds great. Just might make a batch of cookies on one of my days off this week.

Thanks Jessica. Might have to add chocolate chips though.

Ann
craftyrn
16 years ago
Thanks for the reminder, Jessica. Years ago when the "Cookies in a Jar" were all the rage we sold alot of this recipe at our craft shows-- they made beautiful "layers" -- we also added a layer of raisins & choc chips.
lakeguy35
16 years ago
I'm shocked! A cookie I've never ever had before! I will have to take care of that in short order. Thanks for the recipe EJ.

David
wizardnm
16 years ago
This blast from the past about Ranger Cookies has reminded me of another that was popular about the same time...

Chubby Hubby Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 large egg

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Pinch of salt

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter chips

1/2 cup salted peanuts

1 cup crushed pretzels

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Blend into creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate and peanut butter chips, peanuts and pretzels.

- Drop heaping tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 13 minutes, or until edges are lightly brown and centers are still soft. Do not overbake. Cool one minute on cookie sheet, and cool completely on wire racks. Store in tightly covered container.

Makes 3 1/2 dozen.

Nancy

Blast from the past: Ranger Cookies

Comments (12)

Rusty

annie1992

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