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Home » Recipes » Cookies Recipes

Texas Ranger Cookies

Published: Jun 1, 2024 by Marye

Texas ranger cookies are chewy cookies that travel well - to school or overseas. This recipe is full of oatmeal, coconut, pecans and other good things for a hearty snack anytime.
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 20 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe
A stack of ranger cookies on a plate.
A collage of ranger cookies images with text overlay for Pinterest.

Finding ranger cookies in my lunch was like finding gold when I was a kid. They were the one thing that never got traded for Ding Dongs. This vintage recipe gives you a chewy cookie with lots of texture and flavor to love.

A stack of ranger cookies on a plate.
Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🍴 Equipment
  • 🥫 How to store leftovers
  • Marye's Tip
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 📞 The last word
  • 🍴 Equipment
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • I love these quick and easy drop cookie recipes from my childhood. They're chewy and hearty.
  • Texas ranger cookies are perfect for afterschool, school lunches, and weekend snacks! This makes a big batch that's perfect for bake sales and potlucks.
  • Use either old-fashioned or quick oats in this recipe. Not instant. Old-fashioned oats take longer to cook, so they'll have a firmer texture after baking. However, if you use quick oats, they'll be softer.

Best served with a glass of ice-cold milk, easy ranger cookies have a little bit of everything good—sweet, salty, nutty, and crunchy.

No one turns down these hearty cookies with crispy edges, chewy texture, and lots of chocolate and butterscotch chips

Plus, with nutritious ingredients like pecans, crispy rice cereal, and oats, this is one type of cookie you don't have to feel guilty about enjoying!

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labled ingredients for Ranger Cookies on a white background.

📖 Variations

  1. Gluten-free. If you need to make gluten-free ranger cookies, this recipe works just fine with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check the rest of your ingredients to make sure there's no hidden gluten.
  2. Some ranger cookie recipes use corn flakes instead of rice krispies.
  3. Instead of butterscotch chips, try using peanut butter chips for even more nutty flavor.
  4. Alternatively, swap the regular chocolate chips for your favorite variety—dark, semi-sweet, and white chocolate chips taste great, too.
  5. Can't find toffee bits? Use candied pecans to make up for the sweet, caramelized element.
  6. If you prefer an even chewier texture (think: oatmeal raisin cookies) add a handful of dried fruit, like cranberries, blueberries, or raisins.
  7. Use M&Ms instead of chocolate chips to make colorful, trail mix-style cookies.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.

The dry cake ingredients in a mixing bowl.

#1

The wet ingredients added to the dry.

#2

The cake batter poured into a baking dish.

#3

The baked cake with holes poked all over it.

#4

🤫 Cook's secrets -

The best way to drop dough evenly and quickly onto the baking sheet is with a cookie scoop. An ice cream scoop works great for giant cookies, too!

🍴 Equipment

  1. cookie sheets
  2. cookie scoop
  3. stand mixer or hand mixer
  4. measuring cups and spoons
  5. chef's knife for chopping pecans
  6. cutting board

🥫 How to store leftovers

Store leftover ranger cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. A cookie jar will do the trick as long as the lid seals tightly on top.

How to freeze Texas Ranger Cookies

To keep your delicious cookies a little longer, store them in a heavy-duty zip-top bag. Freeze for up to three months, thawing at room temperature when you're ready to snack.

My favorite thing about this ranger cookies recipe is how versatile it is. You can make (and freeze) the dough ahead of time to enjoy just a few freshly baked cookies with no prep!

To do so, portion out the cookie dough onto a baking tray and "flash" freeze until it's all solid. Then, toss the frozen cookie dough balls into a freezer bag.

Frozen, the dough will last for one to two months. You can bake the old-fashioned ranger cookies straight from frozen—just add a minute or two of time in the oven.

Marye's Tip

Make sure that the butter and eggs are at room temperature before using. Creaming butter properly can take up to 5 minutes so be patient.

💭 Things to know

  • They have oatmeal in them so you can even pretend they are health food. Nice, huh?
  • For best results, beat the sugar and butter really well. It'll look fluffy and the color will lighten. Don't rush—the process can take a few minutes!
  • Old-fashioned oats take longer to cook, so they'll have a firmer texture after baking. However, if you use quick oats, they'll be softer.
  • Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, only mix until the dough comes together. Otherwise, the cookies can get tough.
  • If you like chewy cookies, undercook them just a tad and let them firm up on the baking sheet. Add a few more minutes in the oven if you prefer cookies a little crisper.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!

Are ranger cookies the same as cowboy cookies?

Yep! These nutty, chewy cookies go by quite a few names: cowboy cookies, Texas ranger cookies, and lone ranger cookies—just to list a couple. No matter what you call 'em, they're the perfect cookie!

Can I swap brown sugar with white sugar?

You can, but you'll lose a little bit of that delicious caramelized flavor. I recommend brown sugar, but if you're in a pinch, no worries!

Wait, I can ship these cookies? Like, in the mail?

Sure thing! They keep great and are hearty enough to not fall apart. Here's more information about sending the happiest mail anyone will receive!

📚 Related recipes

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    Quaker Famous Oatmeal Cookies (Original 1950s Recipe)
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📞 The last word

I used to love finding these chewy cookies in my school lunch box! They stay fresh for days - perfect for back to school.

💡 Great idea -

One of our favorite summer treats is French Vanilla Ice Cream sandwiched between two ranger cookies. It's a fun dessert treat all summer long.

🍴 Equipment

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

A stack of ranger cookies on a plate.

Ranger Cookies

4 from 3 votes
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Texas ranger cookies are chewy cookies that travel well - to school or overseas. This recipe is full of oatmeal, coconut, pecans and other good things for a hearty snack anytime.
Course Dessert - Cookies
Cuisine Amercian Heritage
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings:48 cookies
Calories:170
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 cups Rice Krispies
  • 2 cups oats
  • 1 cup coconut
  • ½ cup butterscotch chips
  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup toffee pieces

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Lightly grease cookie sheets or use silpat.
  • Cream sugars and butter until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
  • Add vanilla.
  • Whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
  • Add to butter mixture.
  • Fold in remaining ingredients.
  • Drop by tablespoons onto baking sheet.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes or 10-12 minutes for crispier cookies.
  • Remove from oven and allow to firm up on cookie sheet about 5 minutes.
  • Cool completely.

Notes

Freeze well and travel well.
Storage:
Store leftover ranger cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. 
To keep your delicious cookies a little longer, store them in a heavy-duty zip-top bag. Freeze for up to three months, thawing at room temperature when you're ready to snack.
Tips:
    • Use a cookie scoop to keep the cookies all the same size. They'll cook more evenly.
    • For best results, beat the sugar and butter really well. It'll look fluffy and the color will lighten. Don't rush—the process can take a few minutes!
    • Old-fashioned oats take longer to cook, so they'll have a firmer texture after baking. However, if you use quick oats, they'll be softer.
    • Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, only mix until the dough comes together. Otherwise, the cookies can get tough.
    • If you like chewy cookies, undercook them just a tad and let them firm up on the baking sheet. Add a few more minutes in the oven if you prefer cookies a little crisper.
You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

First published August 29, 2011. Last updated June 1, 2024, for editorial improvements.

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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    4 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Virginia says

    July 27, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    I liked the consistency of the cookies but they taste like baking soda. If I make again I would decrease the amount to 1tsp

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      August 10, 2018 at 11:19 am

      That sounds like a great idea. 🙂

      Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

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