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posted by Christy Denneyon Aug 30, 2019 (updated Oct 31, 2023) 42 comments »
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This No-Bake Cookies recipe is a tried and true chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies made with oats. Everything is done on the stove so you don’t need to turn on your oven for this dessert.
NO-BAKE COOKIE RECIPE
These cookies can probably be traced back to Eve. My mom made these growing up and I always made them in college. There are many versions but this is my favorite.
John made me promise years ago that I would only make these once a year since he can’t help himself from eating the whole batch. I’m always surprised when I find people who have never heard of them.
If you’ve never heard of them, you are the LAST person to not have this easy recipe. No worries. Now you do! Made with super simple ingredients with great flavor.
In this last HOT month of summer I’ve had a lot of requests for No-Bake recipes so I added a label on the left for all of the recipes that don’t require you to turn your house into an oven. But between you and me, I’m not against using my oven even in these melting hot temperatures.
My husband keeps our house at Arctic cold temperatures so the only way I can get a little warmth in my bones without blatantly turning up the thermostat is to turn on the oven. Shhh…it’s a secret.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN NO-BAKE COOKIES?
- Butter – it helps if your butter is room temperature.
- Sugar
- Milk – Almond milk can be substituted.
- Cocoa
- Oats – I like to use old-fashioned oats but quick oats can be used as well.
- Peanut butter – not natural peanut butter but you can use peanut butter with nuts if you want. You could use a nut-free butter but I haven’t tested it with that version. You could use almond butter for nut allergies.
- Vanilla
WHY ARE MY COOKIES CRUMBLY?
In this step the sugar mixture is boiled. The mixture should be brought to a boil over medium heat and then timed for one minute. It is important to follow the instructions carefully.
Two things to avoid:
- If you don’t boil it long enough, the cookies will not set up.
- If you boil it too long the cookies will be dry and crumbly.
Whisk in the oats, peanut butter, and the teaspoon vanilla extract after it’s removed from the heat.
You can use quick oats or old fashioned oats. I personally like the texture of old fashioned oats better.
Using a cookie scooper helps to make these all uniform in size. Make sure you have prepared baking sheets ready because the mixture will set up quickly.
CAN THESE BE FROZEN?
Yes, these can be frozen in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container.
NO EGGS?
Yes. There are no eggs in this recipe. It is not a typo.
ARE THESE GLUTEN-FREE?
Yes. There’s no flour in this recipe. Just make sure you use gluten-free oats. Most are but some have additives.
OTHER COOKIE RECIPES:
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Sprinkle Cookies
- S’mores Cookies
- Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chewy Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies
No-Bake Cookies
4.58 from 7 votes
No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies are a tried and true chocolate peanut butter cookies made with oats. Everything is done on the stove so you don't need to turn on your oven.Such an easy dessert.
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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 18 cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats, (quick-cooking oats can be used too but have a different texture)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, (crunchy peanut butter can also be used)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 3/4 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
In a large bowl, add the oats, peanut butter, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan bring the butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa to a boil for one minute. To make sure cookies set up properly wait until mixture comes to a complete FULL rolling boil and then start the timer for one minute. For best results do not over boil the cookies or theywill be dry. Remove from heat.
Very quickly add the cocoa mixture to the oat mixture. Stir well and drop spoonfuls of the chocolate mixtureonto wax paper or parchment paper (it helps to use a cookie scoop). Let them set up and cool. Store in an airtight container.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Christy Denney
All Recipes Chocolate Christmas Recipes Cookies Desserts Holiday Recipes No-Bake Desserts Peanut Butter
originally published on Aug 30, 2019 (last updated Oct 31, 2023)
42 comments Leave a comment »
100 of my favorite recipes! This is the family-friendly cookbook for anyone looking to plan quick-and-easy meals and wants a way to bring people together, feasting on food which can only be described as scrumptious.
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42 comments on “No-Bake Cookies”
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Deniece — Reply
Will this recipe turn out if you only use a cup of sugar or 3/4 of sugar.
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Christy Denney — Reply
Yes!
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Deniece — Reply
I have lots of dark brown sugar if I lower the quantity would it come out the same
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Christy Denney — Reply
Should be fine
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Judy Rodriguez — Reply
Oh my gosh! I still have this recipe since the 60’s!! My friends mom in California made them and I still have my elementary school, hand written recipe that I brought when we moved to Texas. For some reason we called them Kangaroo Cookies 😊 I’m going to make these this weekend.
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Christy Denney — Reply
Thank you!
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Linda Blevins — Reply
My no bakes always turn out so creamy but I back up on the oats till about 2 cups and throw in 3 hands full of mini marshmallows they are not crumbly.
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Christy Denney — Reply
Great tips!
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Mike Young — Reply
Is there a reason your recipes cannot be copied to FB? The reason I will not he back to your site even though your recipes look tasty.
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Judy Johnson0 — Reply
I love these cookies
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Christy Denney — Reply
Thank you Judy!
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Katrina — Reply
I had these many times at my friends’ house growing up. They called them poo poo cookies. 😂 I’ve never made them though. I should!
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Christy Denney — Reply
Ha! I love it!
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Timelessbaking — Reply
looks delicious, gonna try them
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Christy Denney — Reply
Hope you do!
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Judy Spurlock — Reply
I haven’t made these for years. My grandkids will love them.
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Christy Denney — Reply
Yes, definitely a throw back.
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Paige — Reply
We love no bake cookies in our house! We need to make these over the weekend!
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Deb — Reply
I’ve made these for years and they always come out perfectly. I usually add some ground flax, chopped almonds/walnuts, and chopped dried fruit. Rather than use a cookie scoop, I free-style so they’re broader and flatter — and easier to eat/savor. Then I hide them in the back of the refrigerator so I don’t grab one every time I open the door!
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Christy Denney — Reply
You know. You may have a point there to the flatter cookie! I usually do it that way and I like it better.
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Denise — Reply
Has anyone tried making these with Almond Butter or another nut butter?
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Michelle C — Reply
I’m pretty sure that most people I know are addicted to no-bake cookies, except the weird ones who don’t like chocolate and peanut butter combined. I think next time I make them I’m going to toss in a teaspoon of caramel extract just to have something a little different 🙂
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Emily — Reply
Oh, thank you for this recipe. I’m ashamed it didn’t occur to me to check your website for this recipe first. I’ll blame the memory lapse on my pregnancy. I found some other random recipe, and they were terrible. Luckily, I decided not to add the cocoa to that batch, and those peanut butter no-bakes are now gracing the insides of the dog biscuit jar (my labs LOVED them). But in my desperate, pregnant state-of-mind (MUST HAVE NO-BAKES RIGHT NOW!!), I remembered your site and used your recipe. My taste buds are now satisfied, and once again, my husband is super-happy because of another winning recipe from your site! 🙂 Thank you!
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
Oh good. Congrats on your pregnancy!
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Tina T — Reply
Thank You for sharing this recipe, tried a couple others and were not so good. These are like my Mom used to make., just forgot to ask how before it was too late.
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Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} — Reply
I’m so sorry Tina. Glad these were like your moms.
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Dee — Reply
I haven’t thought about these cookies since I was a kid. I loved them then (1960’s) when I made them & now. Thanks for bringing them back to me !!!!
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Walter — Reply
WOW! this going to be good, I am not use in baking something and I want something like this one. Thanks Christy you are an angel.
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Pinky — Reply
I wish I would have known about these over the summer (our sweltering 110-112 degree weather). I’ll have to save this recipe for then and to try now as well.
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HeatherLynn — Reply
My Dad taught me to make these!!! He also makes the butterscotch ones but the chocolate/peanut butter ones are my favorite!
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Sandy W — Reply
These are very similar to my dad’s favorite cookies, but the recipe has 2 c. of flaked coconut added to the recipe. Yum! This recipe has been around for quite awhile, since they’ve been Dad’s favorite for 45+ years!
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Rachel — Reply
I’m pretty sure I just whimpered at seeing a few of your delicious posts. Love the blog!
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Lindsay — Reply
Well, don’t make these cookies when both John and I are around unless you make two batches, I cannot keep my hands off them either!
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Jamie — Reply
If you add a tablespoon of karo syrup in with the vanilla it keeps these cookies soft and moist for over a week!
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The Bahens — Reply
We always make our no-bake cookies with marshmallows instead of peanut butter because that’s how my husband always had them growing up. And they are so good! My husband and I have to practically sit on our hands to keep from eating them all after the kids go to bed!
Here’s a link to our version: http://luluthebaker.blogspot.com/2009/10/childhood-treats-peanut-butter-balls.html
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Mary — Reply
We call those “do-do cookies”, but I’ve heard them called “cow patties”, too! They are excellent! An oldie but goodie.
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Anonymous — Reply
My sister nick-named these “butt cookies” cuz we all know exactly where they settle! I try to make sure I have at least one ingredient missing at all times because they’re too easy to make and too easy to eat!!!
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Monica H — Reply
Yes I’m melting! And I made these a couple weeks ago. so good!
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Heather — Reply
These cookies are the first cookies I ever learned to ‘bake’ all by my self when I was a ki! I love them but have not made them in years! I must change that quick!
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Jenna — Reply
Hey! I have been gone from the blogging world and missed your blog going private. Please add me my friend!
[emailprotected]
thanks! xx
Jenna
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Love Being a Nonny — Reply
this is the same recipe i have used fir years! it’s a great one! honestly, i have never met anyone who hasn’t had these…i guess they are a staple in my little world! i am like your husband, i want to eat the whole batch! i love them that much! yum! thanks for reminding me about these! i may make them today!!!
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Emma — Reply
i love these cookies! and i love your blog, i’m so happy i found it!
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