There are cookies that you bake. And cookies that are bars.
And cookies that you layer up in silly little jars.
There are cookies that crumble and cookies that are crisp.
And then there are “no bakes,” the cookies with a twist!
Sometimes known as “boiled oatmeal cookies,” in my house we just call ’em “no bakes.”
Hubbs remembers these as part of Friday lunches at school; when he talks of the memory, his smile reaches to his eyes, the way Frank used to smile while getting his belly rubbed. Other friends recall these as an after-sports treat. However you get them, they’re ooey-gooey-chocolately-creamy-and nuttery-delicious.
Quick, easy, and rather impossible to resist. Ready?
Here’s what you need to bake “No Bakes:” (shh no baking involved)- 2 cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine
- 3 cups quick cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup peanut butter – crunchy or smooth – your choice
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- waxed paper
Directions: In a saucepan over medium heat, mix sugar, cocoa, milk and butter. Stir slowly and bring to a steady boil — allow to boil (while stirring) 1 minute. Tip: don’t short-change the time, the cookies will not set later on.
Once boiled, remove pan from heat and quickly add peanut butter & vanilla – stir to melt/mix. Next, pour in oats and nuts, stirring well. The mixture will start to firm up as everything cools.
Spread a long sheet of waxed paper on your counter top and drop the cookies by tablespoon onto the waxed paper. You could make them smaller if you wished but …. really? Why?
Let stand at least 1 hour to cool. Store loosely covered or in the fridge.
Ever had a “no bake?”
I’m not sure I’ve ever had these, but they sure look yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us; I’ll put these on my “to-try” list. Have a good day, MJ!
You’re welcome 🙂 They’re super easy to make but I would make them on a low humidity day. They don’t “set up” as well if it’s humid. You can easily cut the recipe in half, too
MJ
I LOVE no bake cookies. My mom used to make them too when I was growing up. But then again, I love dark chocolate in general.
These were the very first cookies I could make all by myself. I was around 9 🙂 Definitely a staple in the household growing up.
MJ
These sound yummy!
They are 😉 MJ
Yummmm
Yesss….
MJ
I love these little gems! I used to enjoy these as a kid, and I made them for my kids too. But somehow I forget about them, so good to have a reminder now and then! Looks like they’ll be on my short list to make for a weekend treat! ~ Sheila
Me, too! Hubbs is a cookie machine; not much of a cake guy but cookies??? look out.
They’re nearly gone!
MJ
Thank you for this recipe, MJ! Sara loves these cookies, which we are not able to purchase here. I need to make some for her–wrote “bake,” interestingly.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
You’re welcome; let me know how they turn out. Make them all, freeze/hide 1/2 🙂
MJ
My oldest boy went crazy over these cookies when he was in grade school. The mom of one of his buddies used to make them all the time. I’m pretty sure I have a similar recipe in my collection. Thanks for the reminder! I’m going to make them next time he comes home.
Oh, they’re the bomb. I left a trough of them when I went out of town this week, only crumbs remain 🙂 MJ