Ranger Joe Cookies

Ranger Joe cookies, sometimes called Ranger cookies or Cowboy cookies, are the Lone Star State’s answer to the question “what if a chocolate chip cookie was loaded with everything in the pantry?" Rolled oats, crisp rice cereal, coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips all crowd into one substantial cookie.

The contrast in textures is what makes these worth baking. Oats give chew, Rice Krispies add a snap, coconut keeps the centers moist, and pecans toast in the oven for a buttery crunch. Each bite hits four or five different sensations at once.

The dough gets stiff fast. Once everything is in, you’ll need to mix by hand or with a sturdy stand mixer. Don’t be tempted to skip the splash of water if your dough seems crumbly. A tablespoon is just enough to bring everything together without making the cookies too soft to hold their shape.

Flatten with a fork before baking. The dough will not spread much on its own thanks to the dense add-ins. Pressing them helps each cookie bake evenly and develop crispy edges with a still-chewy middle.

Pro Tips

• Use sweetened shredded coconut for moister cookies, unsweetened for less sugar and more nutty texture. Both work.
• Don’t overbake. Pull at 8 to 10 minutes when the centers still look pale. They firm up as they cool, and overbaking turns the Rice Krispies stale.
• The recipe makes four dozen, but you can freeze the dough balls and bake fresh as needed. They keep three months in the freezer.

Variations

• Swap pecans for walnuts or chopped almonds.
• Use butterscotch chips or M&Ms in place of chocolate chips.
• Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a warm-spiced version.