Chocolate Chunk Crunch Cookies

I first came across a recipe similar to this in my favorite 'kitchen staple' cook book... You know the one: red and white checked cover from Better Homes and Gardens. Doesn't every kitchen have one of those?! In that cook book this type of 'dump' cookie is called Ranger Cookies. I say 'dump' cookie because you 'dump' a bunch of ingredients in. ;) These cookies, like Ranger Cookies have cereal in them. This actual recipe, though I've modified it a little (I reduced the amounts butter and sugar), we found in one of my daughter's reading books in 2nd Grade. It was part of a story book called  Pee Wee Scouts: Cookies and Crutches. The recipe was part of the story and we decided to try it. The result was a plump, soft cookie with a crunch.


Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chunks (or chips)
1 cup cereal (you can be creative here: Rice Krispies, Cornflakes, Cocoa Puffs) - I used Cocoa Puffs
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Directions:
Cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.













Add the eggs, and blend until the eggs are incorporated.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda and salt.
Add flour mix to the bowl and blend.

Add the oatmeal, chocolate chips or chunks, and nuts. blending between additions.











Add the cereal and blend just until incorporated...DO NOT over blend if you don't want the cereal to break into pieces. I think the chunks of cereal in the cookie add to the charm of this cookie (and the crunch!)










Place by rounded tablespoons fulls onto stone or greased cookie sheet. Parchment paper would work great!


Bake at 350º for 12 minutes or until golden brown.