Rolling them by hand allows you to squeeze out any air spaces that you might get with just using the scoop alone. I use a tablespoon and just give the dough chunk a squeeze before rolling it into a ball. If the ball is too large, I just pinch off the extra dough. If you don't want the dough to touch your bare hands, you can buy un-powdered surgical gloves at most drug stores.

I vote for your hands, you can squeeze them into shape better....wear gloves. I have no problem handling food with my hands, but it's really easy to peel off the gloves and with it the meatloaf grease or the dough stickey mess.

I'd also use the cookie scoop, I just press the flat side of the scoop against the side of the bowl to be sure the dough is packed in there well, then drop the cookies onto the sheet. It's faster, more precise and the dough doesn't get handled as much.

A windowless white van, Sol? I've never had a Ranger cookie, but that's a ringing endorsement for certain. If Elery ever finishes this "food plan" he's on, I'll get back to baking!

Annie

I ended up having to roll them as the dough was kind of "dry" and didn't hold together very well when I scooped. So I did both, I scooped them and then rolled them to keep them together. The recipe was just OK, I think I need to try another one next time. I still have most of the ingredients on hand, so I might make another batch for home. These are going with me this afternoon to a club function.

Anyone with a T&T Ranger cookie recipe feel free to post, since I will be trying another one. My Good Housekeeping Cookie cookbook recipe was just OK, nothing to write home about.

Pray tell, what is a Ranger Cookie?

Um . . . sort of like an oatmeal cookie, except it has rice crispies instead of oatmeal. My recipe calls for coconut and dates to be added, but some recipes call for chocolate chips too.

I used to make modified oatmeal cookies at the restaurant where I worked, and I substituted granola for the oatmeal and added chocolate chips and coconut. I reduced the amount of sugar from the original recipe. Granola made the cookies crunchy, which is what I would expect Rice Crispies to do.

"A windowless white van, Sol? "

AnnieB., you silly. I wouldn't get into a white van for a cookie. But throw in a puppy and I'll bring my own duct tape.

L, my recipe calls for both, rolled oats and corn flakes, and the dough is fairly stiff, so I really have to pack it into the scoop by pressing it against the side of the mixing bowl, like Annie does.

If you try the recipe again, or a similar one, add a Tablespoon of milk to the butter/sugar mixture. Bim bam boom, problem solved.

Sol

Can I have a recipe or two, please?

Pup, I looked up the recipe, and there are quite a few. This cookie is delicious, and it is very similar to one my grandmother made. However, I found this recipe online this week and made it. Everyone loves it. Sooooo gooood.

Ranger Cookies

1 c light brown sugar

1 c white sugar

1 c butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 c flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 c oatmeal (quick or regular)

1 c coconut

2 c Rice Krispies or Wheaties

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, white sugar, butter, and vanilla till creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in oatmeal, coconut, and cereal. Roll a generous tablespoon of dough into a ball, and slightly flatten on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes (till very lightly golden for a chewy cookie or till golden brown for a crispy cookie). Cool on pan 4-5 minutes and remove to a wire rack to finish cooling. If you leave them on the cookie sheet till they cool more, they will be more difficult to remove.

The one I made were "meh" so I didn't post the recipe, I will not be making them again. If I do make them again, I'll use a recipe that calls for choc. chips instead of dates. My dates had no flavor.

I discussed using chocolate chips with my family, and no one thought they would be an improvement, as much as we do like chocolate. Be sure to use butter and not margerin in baking this cookie.

This is the Ranger Cookie recipe from the Wyoming
section of my mother's 1949 cookbook:
"America Cooks: Favorite Recipes from 48 States." This recipe has been baked by and/or served
to 5 generations of our family, so I'd say
it is tried and true! I have used other recipes and come back to
this one. I have typed the recipe
verbatim, including any misspellings. I
don't buy shortening, and use butter. I
do use a cookie scoop. The recipe does
not specify length of cooking time or oven temperature, other than
"moderate" oven.

RANGER COOKIES

1 cup shortening

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal

2 cups Rice Krispies

1 cup shredded coconut

Cream shortening and sugars.
Add eggs and vanilla, mix smooth.
Add flour sifted with soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Add coconut, oatmeal, and Rice Krispies and
mix. The dough will be crumbly. Mold with hands into balls size of a walnut. Place on a greased cooky sheet and press
slightly. Bake in a moderate oven.

This makes almost enough cookies for a roundup or Cheyenne
rodeo.

There you have it: what I consider THE Ranger Cookie recipe! :-)

Jill in Texas

I think the recipe that I have uses 1/2 c butter and 1/2 c shortening. :)