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No Bake Cookies come together in a matter of minutes. With just a handful of ingredients you’ll create a quick and delicious cookie recipe the whole family will love.
Hi there! It’s been a few days since I’ve sat down to write a blog post and yet, I’m still staring at the crummiest weather ever. I’m pretty much convinced Ohio has decided to just skip summer.
The weather is definitely making for an interesting summer break for Elle. Because summer to a five-year-old means shorts, flip-flops, and pool days. Even when it’s hovering around 60 degrees.
We’re trying to make the best of it with crafts, playing school and lots of trips to the library, but my girl is getting bored.
One of my favorite ways to eliminate some of the summer boredom is getting her involved in the kitchen.
From whipping up our favorite banana bread and homemade strawberry lemonade to these no bake cookies, I’m keeping my little babe busy and creating some fun kitchen memories!
THESE ARE THE BEST NO BAKE COOKIES
It’s pretty obvious that I bake a lot. You guys know this about me by now.
And although I love to step out of my comfort zone and whip up delicious things like Blueberry Cream Cheese Kolaches and Churro Cream Puffs, sometimes I crave the simplest of sweets, like no bake cookies.
When I was a kid, I remember my mom whipping up batches of these chocolate-peanut butter no bake cookies for my brother and me, and chocolate chow mein noodle cookies for my dad. We always referred to them as haystacks.
Do you remember those?
We’d gobble up that chocolate-peanut butter goodness in no time, and think Mom was the best baker ever.
Little did we know that those no bake cookies and her rice krispie treats literally came together in minutes, without even turning on the oven. Kids are so easy to impress.
Honestly, even though I now know how simple these cookies are to make, I still adore them. I love recipes that combine chocolate and peanut butter, such as peanut butter blossoms or peanut butter pie, and these are even easier.
HOW TO MAKE NO BAKE COOKIES
The great thing about no bake cookies, like so many of my no bake recipes, is that they require just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge and pantry. Butter, milk, peanut butter, oats and cocoa are all you need.
I prefer creamy peanut butter, but you can definitely use crunchy for a little added texture.
Even though these cookies mix up quickly, you definitely need to make sure that you bring the cocoa mixture to a full rolling boil and then let it boil for a full 90 seconds, or the cookies won’t set up properly.
They’ll still taste delicious, but you’ll be left with crumbly bits of cookie instead of actual cookies.
After that, it’s as easy as mixing in the peanut butter, vanilla and oats and using a cookie scoop to portion out the cookies.
You can leave the no bake cookies as mounds or you can flatten them with the bottom of a glass – it’s up to you!
Remember these cookies the next time you’ve got a major craving for something sweet and have absolutely no desire to turn on the oven. They’ll cure any hankering you have, and you’ll only have one pot to clean.
I call that a win-win. You’ll also look like a major culinary rock star when you take them to your next potluck. Because as it turns out, adults are just as easy to impress as kids when cookies are involved.
No Bake Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup peanut butter smooth or crunchy
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick cooking oats
Instructions
- Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, milk, butter and cocoa. Stir until the butter is melted.
- Bring the mixture to a full boil and allow it boil for 90 seconds (I highly recommend setting a timer). Immediately remove the pan from heat.
- Add in the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until the peanut butter is melted.
- Add oats and stir to fully incorporate.
- Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1 1/2 tablespoons), drop cookies onto prepared baking sheets. If desired, use a spoon, or the bottom of a glass to slightly flatten and shape into round cookies.
- Allow cookies to set before serving.
Video
Notes
- For this recipe, I recommend using a peanut butter like Jif. Using a natural-style peanut butter will not allow the cookies to set up properly.
- Be sure to use quick oats in this recipe. They're a bit thinner than rolled oats and will give your cookies the perfect texture.
- You can easily make these cookies gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I actually love them chilled!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These look delicious! I canโt wait to put them togetherโฃ๏ธ Thank you
Ms Georgia Jonesย
Thanks so much for stopping by, Georgia! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
I make these often. Lately I have added approx. 1 tsp. Tasters Choice Instant coffee with the cocoa. It enhances the chocolate flavor.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Marilyn! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Excellent recipe
So happy to hear you enjoyed the cookies, Charlotte! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
These cookies can be made into bars by pouring in a 9 X 13 cake pan sprayed with Pam.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sherry! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Really fab recipes. And they all turn out. Have never had a failure.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Justine! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
What can I use instead of peanut butter???
Hello! If you are able to eat tree nuts, you could try a different nut butter, or sunbutter if you cannot eat tree nuts. I have not made these with a different type of nut or seed butter, though, so I can’t guarantee the result. If you give it a try, I’d love to know how they turned out. Happy baking!
Do you have a no bake cookie recipe that does not include peanut butter/nut butter? Allergies are a problem.
Thank you!
Hello! I have a bunch of no bake recipes you might want to check out. Some of the cookie ball recipes might work for you: https://www.mybakingaddiction.com/no-bake-2/
Hope this helps! Happy baking –
Jamie
Have you ever made Swedish Chocolate Balls? They are no-bake and really good.
I have not! I will have to check them out. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
I can’t wait to try these. Do you have any other no name recipes?
Hello! I have a whole bunch more no bake recipes. You can check them out here: https://www.mybakingaddiction.com/no-bake-2/
Happy baking! Jamie
These are my husband’s favorite cookies, when I make them they are gone in no time.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Deb! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Looking for a no bake recipe for my daughter to make today – these are perfect – she will have so much fun!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Bec! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie