Corn Chex Ranger Cookies are Ranger Cookies made with Corn Chex Cereal. But wait! Why are they called Ranger Cookies? The origin of Ranger Cookies is unknown, but here’s my favorite theory. The recipe has been around since the 1930’s which coincides with the beginning of the radio program, The Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger was a “serial” and Rangers contain “cereal” so maybe someone named them Lone Ranger cookies because of the cereal and that got shortened to Rangers?
Another thought is that they’re a lot like Cowboy Cookies, but with cereal. So it could also be that they’re called Ranger Cookies to distinguish them from the non-cereal containing Cowboys.Whatever the origin, Ranger Cookies are one of my favorites and I like trying variations. The usual cereal here i Corn Flakes, but mashed up Corn Chex work quite well.
Corn Chex Rangers
My Corn Chex Rangers are a half batch of King Arthur’s Ranger Cookies, which were almost the same as City School’s Rangers, but call for shortening in place of butter. The shortening gives them a great texture, and with all the other flavors you probably won’t miss the flavor of the butter. That being said, you can substitute butter and you’ll still have some great cookies.
Ranger Cookies Made with Corn Chex
1/2 cup (3 1/8 ounces) vegetable shortening or (4 oz) butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed, light or dark
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour, spooned and leveled (KA uses 4.25 oz per cup)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup (1 3/4 ounces) old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup (3 ounces) chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups (1 1/4 ounces) crispy rice cereal or Cornflakes or Chex, crushed after measuring
Beat together the shortening, sugars, vanilla and salt until fluffy; add the egg and beat until smooth.
In a separate mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and baking soda; add the flour mixture to the shortening mixture and beat until well blended. Stir in the oats, coconut, chips and cereal, mixing just until blended.
Drop the dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased or parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake the cookies in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.
Yield: 30 (2- to 2 1/2- inch) cookies.
B
In the oven baking now. Delicious. Really like the crunch. May be gone before family gets to enjoy them. Thanks for sharing.
Julie
I only recently discovered ranger cookies myself, I think they’re awesome! I love the crunchiness from the cereal.
dani
i’ve never heard of ranger cookies before, but they sound awesome!
Robyn
We ALWAYS stop at the Czech Stop. They have gas, clean bathrooms, and yummy kolaches. I mean, seriously, how does anybody NOT stop? It’s always packed with happy travelers. For us, it’s part of the Austin-to-Dallas experience!
Anna
Louise, I missed National Cereal Day Boo hoo.
Katrina, thanks!
Robyn, we’re going to Dallas in April so I’ll make it a point to stop at Czech Stop for a Ranger. I don’t think I’ve ever been to Czech Stop, but I have seen the signs.
Mary, that theory sounds plausible. However, I read that the recipe has been around since the 1930s.
HeartofGlass
I have to admit I got my ‘cookie geek hat’ on and researched the origin of the name online–apparently, the Cowboy Cookie originated with Roy Rogers, who used to sell them at his eponymous restaurant during the 1950s. And the Ranger Cookie is kind of a spin-off (this is only according to one site, so it might be totally urban legend, but I thought that was kind of cool). So maybe it was inspired by the Lone Ranger, since Roy is the Cowboy Cookie inspiration.
Robyn
Good lord, I love Ranger cookies. I really like the ones you can buy at the Czech Stop (combination Shell station/Kolache bakery) on I-35 in West, Texas. Yum, yum, YUM!
Katrina
Love your theory about the name!
Louise
Save a few of these cookies to celebrate — tomorrow is National Cereal Day!