Ranger Cookies

This week, I had the help of Carole to make 2 treats.  The first are Ranger cookies.


There are rangers of all varieties: U.S. Army Rangers, Park Rangers, Texas Rangers, Ranger Rick (my personal hero when I was a kid and in my personal bias way better then than now), and so on.  I suppose these cookies might have been for them as I feel they're much like a trail mix cookie and our first introduction to the wonderful world of coconut flake.  If these recipes could have themes through the last several decades, I think it might be when certain ingredients became popular and more available to the masses. 

These cookies have oatmeal, rice krispies, and sweetend coconut flake to make them crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside.  The cookies were fairly quick and easy to make and had great results.  Again, go with Grandma and do not doubt the wisdom on the recipe card.  It is a little hard to tell when these cookies are done.  I think they're best if they look a little crispy on the edges.  Also, the instructions tell you to make dough balls "about the size of a walnut" - to me this means a little more than an inch diameter give or take.

English Walnuts in shell without the husk.

These cookies do have a nice spread so leave some space and remember the larger the "ball" the larger the cookie and the more space you need.  If I never mentioned it before, any walnuts used or referred to are English walnuts (Juglans regia) and are the type most commonly sold in stores.  Black walnuts (Juglans nigra) are different entirely, from the GIANT pain to get them open (talk to a squirrel), the black/purple dye it leaves your hands (not easily gotten off either), and the rather different flavor.  My grandmother was allergic to black walnuts, hence the reference to English walnuts in most recipes.



Walnut-sized balls added to the cookie sheet




Carole rolling walnut-sized balls





Mmmm, fresh cookies




Cookie!