No Bake Cookies
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No Bake Cookies are such a nostalgic childhood favorite! This recipe has that classic chocolate peanut butter flavor combo and the perfect chewy, fudgy texture. And I’m pretty sure they’re the easiest cookies on the planet to make!
Easy No Bake Cookies
I’ve been making no bake oatmeal cookies for as long as I can remember. It’s one of the first things I learned how to make as a kid. I’d make them for my family on the weekends because my mom didn’t care much for dessert (be sure to supervise kids when making these, though!).
No Bake Cookies Video
They always filled the craving for something sweet, and they were ready to eat in no time. Plus, everyone in my family loved them, and I the most, I’m sure.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Flavors
This is almost the exact same no bake cookie recipe I had when I was younger, but I did add in a little bit more cocoa and peanut butter here, because why not?? It’s a flavor combo I never can resist!
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe
- Sugar
- Butter
- Milk
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Vanilla
- Quick oats
- Peanut butter
How to Make No Bake Cookies
First, line two baking sheets with parchment paper (or just spread a long sheet of the parchment onto the counter), or have 29 cupcake liners set out.
Then, in a 2.5 – 3-quart saucepan, combine sugar, butter, cocoa powder, and milk.
Set a saucepan over medium heat (I like to use the largest burner on the stove) and begin whisking. Cook and whisk frequently until it reaches a boil, then once it reaches a full rolling boil, stop stirring and let it boil for 1 minute.
Remove the mixture from the heat, then immediately add vanilla, peanut butter, and oatmeal. And stir to blend well.
Drop mixture onto prepared parchment, dropping 2 Tbsp at a time (a medium cookie scoop works well here, or just use two large spoons).
Let cookies set, then enjoy! If you want to speed up the setting transfer to the refrigerator. Store the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container (or in the fridge if you like them cold).
Tips for No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
After 20 some odd years of making these, I’ve learned a few things along the way.
- Don’t just bring the mixture to a simmer (where the edges of the mixture bubble up); it needs to start fully boiling (bubbling up in the middle) before counting down those 60 seconds.
- Don’t use old-fashioned oats, I think quick oats are a must. The cookies won’t set up quite the same, and they won’t be as tender.
- The recipe should hopefully turn out perfect for you, but if they’re a bit too wet, boil 15 seconds longer the next time; if they came out dry, boil 15 seconds under. The amount of time the liquid is boiled will determine the way the cookies set up and also determine how moist they’ll be.
- I prefer creamy peanut butter, but if you like the crunch of crunchy peanut butter, you can use that here, just add an extra 1/4 cup so the consistency isn’t affected. Other nut or seed butter will probably work (I know peanut allergy families have used almond butter), but you may have to play with the measurements for the right consistency.
- Jif or Skippy peanut butter? We don’t need to start a war here. Use whichever you prefer!
- Use real butter, never margarine. It has a bad flavor, which will affect the flavor of the cookies, and it has added water, so your end result won’t be as good.
- Then, as listed in the recipe, stick with the bit of extra cocoa and peanut butter, it makes them a bit richer than you remember. I also cut back on the sugar by 1/4 cup, as is listed in the recipe.
What do You Call Them?
When I was a kid, we actually called these “uncooked cookies,” which is funny because they are still cooked. But now I’m thinking maybe they should be called “summer cookies” because there are just those days when we want a cookie, but it’s so hot no one wants to turn the oven on, right?
Of course, we’ll still stick with No Bake Cookies. But no matter what you call these decadent treats, everyone will always love them!
More Cookie Favorites to Try
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites
- Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprints
- Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizzas
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
Follow Cooking Classy
No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (113g) salted butter
- 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (32g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup (160g) creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups (275g) quick oats (don't use old fashioned oats)
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or set out approximately 29 cupcake liners.
- In a 2.5 to 3 quart medium saucepan combine butter, sugar, cocoa, and milk.
- Set over medium heat, and cook stirring frequently until it reaches a full boil.
- Allow mixture to boil 60 seconds without stirring.
- Remove from heat, immediately add in vanilla, peanut butter and quick oats.
- Stir mixture until well combined then, using a medium (2 Tbsp) cookie scoop or two spoons drop mixture onto lined baking sheets or into cupcake liners.
- Allow to rest at room temperature until set, about 20 - 30 minutes (to speed up setting refrigerate).
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.