Get Along Little Dogies!

Old recipes are often forgotten. Left to stray in the open prairie like a "dogie," meaning a motherless calf. How sad... However, this recipe for "Texas Ranger Cookies" can never be forgotten! Texas Ranger Cookies are also called "Cowboy Cookies," "Ranger Cookies," "Kitchen Sink Cookies," and even "Governor's Mansion Cowboy Cookies," from Laura Bush's recipe that was featured in Family Circle. No one is sure where this recipe originated, but is generally thought of as an easily portable food source, nourishing enough for those cowboys on the plains, like a precursor to the granola bar.

I have to admit, growing up in Texas, I had never heard of or had the great pleasure of eating these fabulous cookies. Thankfully, on a visit to my awesome mother-in-law's in Virginia, she had graciously made these. Loaded with oatmeal, chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, and cornflakes, I was instantly addicted! Although recipes vary, adding raisins, omitting the cornflakes, etc., I think they are perfect exactly as they are! Yeehaw!

Texas Ranger Cookies

Makes approximately 4 dozen.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups oatmeal

1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans.)

2 cups cornflakes cereal

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Cream together the butter and sugar in a stand mixer. Add the eggs and vanilla and blend to mix. In a separate bowl, blend together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture. Blend in the oatmeal, coconut, chocolate chips, and nuts. Remove the bowl from the mixer and stir in the cornflakes.

Using two spoons, drop approximately 1 heaped tablespoon of dough onto a baking sheet, approximately 8 cookies per pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes. (8 minutes will give you a chewier cookie, while 10 will make it more crisp.) Remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.