My Nana's Ranger Cookies

These cookies are special because they are my grandmother's recipe. They bring back memories of spending summer visits at their house in Tennessee. They lived out in the country surrounded by farms. We just loved going to visit them in the summer. We usually ended up having a picnic in the Smokey Mountains or even heading into Gatlinburg. I also fondly remember getting to eat the yummy desserts she would bake. It's a family thing. My grandmother enjoyed baking from what I remember. I also always remember my mom baking cookies and making homemade and hand decorated cakes on birthdays. My mom is especially famous for her sugar cookies and pies during the holidays. I think my mother is the one who gave me such a love for baking, well that and my innate sweet tooth! This recipe is really special to me because it brings back the fun memories with my grandmother. She passed away a little over seven years ago. I wish she could have met my sons. I know she would have really gotten a big kick out of them.

I remember when she heard I was marrying someone from New York. I am certain she had some typical Yankee stereotype ideas in her head. But, when she met Eric in person, I just knew that she instantly loved him. He and Grandaddy had so much in common. She and I laughed about that together. I am glad that Eric and I had some good visits with my grandparents when we first married. There are so many memories that I cherish. I am growing wiser about things as I have hit my early thirties. Life should be more about relationships and family instead of chasing material things. Material things get old, broken, and forgotten. Memories on the other hand, they stick. I remember getting married. I remember the births of our sons. There are the holidays spent with family. And as sad as it is, I remember family funerals. Sharing in the loss and grief together as a family. Even that is a special memory that I hold close to my heart. I always remember the togetherness that I feel, whether it is with my side of the family or Eric's. It doesn't matter which side we are with. When we are together there is just this comfort in the togetherness.
So I am choosing to share this recipe with who ever reads this blog. I hope if you decide to make this cookie, that it will either bring back family memories or give you some ideas how to make some new ones!

Moving on two the greatness of this recipe! This is a great cookie if you like chewy with a little bit of a crunch too. It almost reminds me of a chewy granola bar, only a little different. I made these cookies this past week. I think I'm the one who likes them best at my house. I couldn't stay out of them. I don't think Eric was quite as in to them. Wes seemed to prefer them more than Austin did.

Here is the recipe:

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 t. vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup special K cereal
1/2 c. shredded coconut

Bake in 375 degree oven (maybe 350 degree in electric ovens) ungreased cookie sheets, for 10-12 minutes, Remove immediately from cookie sheets. My oven tends to get very hot. I baked mine at 350 and they came out just find. I also rotated the cookies on the racks half way through the baking. I think it makes the cookies bake more evenly and they have just the color and chewiness that I like. Happy Baking Y'all. I get to say that because I live in the South! :) Yes, the South with a capital S!