This classic recipe for Cracker Jack Cookies goes back to the 1930s. These cookies have a mixture of oatmeal, coconut, and rice crispies to create a chewy cookie with a crunch.
What are Cracker Jack Cookies?
Cracker Jack Cookies are from the 1930s and were born shortly after the Rice Krispies cereal was released. Cracker Jack was another term for “Great” and it’s the perfect description for the chewy but crisp cookies.
This classic cracker jack cookies recipe isn’t made with the Cracker Jack popcorn, they’re simply made with coconut, oatmeal, and Rice Krispies.
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Ingredients in Cracker Jack Cookies
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Light brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs, room temperature
- Vanilla extract
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Shredded coconut
- Quick oats
- All-purpose flour, leveled and spooned
- Rice Krispies
How to Make Old Fashioned Cracker Jack Cookies
Prepare the oven and cookie sheets- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Cream the wet ingredients- Beat the butter until smooth and beat in the granulated and brown sugar until combined well. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.
Combine the dry ingredients- Combine the all-purpose flour together with the baking powder and baking soda. Stir in the quick oats and coconut.
Add the flour mixture together with the wet mixture and then slowly stir in the Rice Krispies last.
Scoop the cookie dough- Scoop by 2 tablespoonsful or a #30 cookie scoop onto parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. Bake for 11-13 minutes.
Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes before moving them from the cookie sheets. Bake these cookies only one cookie sheet at a time.
Old Fashioned Recipes
Old fashioned recipes aren’t just delicious they are also recipes that have been handed down generations, made by the best cooks (our parents and grandparents), and baked with children.
These old-fashioned peanut butter balls are a no-bake treat that is easy to make and delicious.
Old fashioned potato candy is a recipe from the Depression Era. This candy really is made with potatoes – don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like potatoes at all!
Monster cookies are another cookie classic and are made with a combination of M&M’s, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and oatmeal.
Can You Use Steel Cut Oats in Cookies?
Nope. You can’t. Steel-cut oats take a long time to cook and aren’t suitable for cookie baking. Quick oats and even old-fashioned oats are used for baking and they produce different results.
Quick oats are finer and they’re chewier than old-fashioned oats. Old fashioned oats are larger and will change the texture.
Cracker Jack Cookies
This classic recipe for Cracker Jack Cookies goes back to the 1930s. These cookies have a mixture of oatmeal, coconut, and rice crispies to create a chewy cookie with a crunch.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, leveled and spooned
- 2 cups quick oats
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups Rice Krispies, or other puff rice cereal.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper
- Beat the butter until smooth and beat in the granulated and brown sugar until combined well.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.
- Combine the all-purpose flour together with the baking powder and baking soda. Stir in the quick oats.
- Add the flour mixture together with the wet mixture and stir in the coconut.
- Slowly stir in the Rice Krispies last.
- Scoop by 2 tablespoonful onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets.
- Bake for 11 to 13 minutes.
- Cool on cookie sheets for 10 minutes before transferring.
Notes
Add the puffed cereal last so that it doesn't break down and lose the "crunch" in the cookies.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 44 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 134Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 46mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 2g
Nutrition calculation is a rough estimate and can vary depending on the cooking technique and the exact ingredients used. For informational purposes only.
Gabrielle
Sunday 16th of October 2022
These cookies are SO delicious and chewy. They have to be one of my favorite cookies. The brown sugar caramelizing with the oats, the crunch of the Krispies, with coconut adding excellent flavor and texture. I tried a few with chocolate chips, tasty addition, but not every fantastic cookie needs chocolate chips. Try these!
amy liu dong
Wednesday 27th of April 2022
Oh my gosh! This one is so delicious and looks so easy to make. Perfect afternoon snacks for my kids!
Liz
Wednesday 16th of February 2022
Oh my, cracker jack cookies! Take me back to childhood! I haven't made these in years! I'm so happy I came across your post - I am making these this weekend!