No-Bake Cookies

I have recently realized that I am quite a nostalgic cook.  To that end, not much is nostalgic for me more than No-Bake Cookies.  I have been making these since I learned how to read – literally.

I “made” this cookbook for my mom in second grade for Mother’s Day…seventeen years ago, yikes!

I remember that there were two recipes for these cookies, one was called Peanut Butter Choc-Oat cookies and the other, recipe pictured below, Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, I had always known them as No-Bake cookies and I have always used this recipe for these.

I love to eat cookies but when it comes to making them, I don’t enjoy scooping them onto the baking sheet, waiting several minutes, taking them out, transferring to a cooling rack, and repeating the process until all of the dough is gone.  I’ve always been a bigger fan of the dough…which might be why these are so appealing to me.  They are dough-like, especially if they don’t set quite right (which has happened many times!)  They are so sweet and chewy, I love the texture and how super simple they are.  The best part about this recipe is that I always have the ingredients on hand so when I’m in need of a quick treat, this is my go-to recipe!

You can see that I noted that this was the “whole recipe” and I’ve since adapted it a little bit and updated the words and phrases…I don’t think that the word “oleo” is really used any more.  Here is the way to the best-ever, crowd-pleasing, super-nostalgic No-Bake Cookies!

No Bake Cookie Recipe (printable version)

ingredients:

1 stick of unsalted butter

2 cups granulated sugar

¼ cup cocoa

½ cup milk (I usually use skim but have used 2% too)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract (see note below*)

½ cup crunchy peanut butter (creamy can be used but I like the added crunch)

3 cups quick-cooking oats

Prep:

1. I like to measure everything that I need before I get started.  I also lay out a couple of sheets of wax paper so that it’s ready when I am.

2. Slowly melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add sugar, cocoa and milk and bring to a rolling boil.  Stirring constantly, boil for 90 seconds (ensure that you use a timer so that they set properly!)

3. Remove from heat and quickly add vanilla, peanut butter and oats.  Stir together until well-blended.

4. Drop by spoonful on wax paper and allow to cool and set up.