Indulge in the delightful simplicity of no bake cookies, a quick and easy treat that requires no oven time. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth in a pinch, these cookies combine rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and hearty oats for a deliciously chewy texture.
If you don't usually keep unsweetened cocoa powder or quick-cooking oats in your pantry, you might need to pick these up at the supermarket. Unsweetened cocoa powder provides the rich chocolate flavor, while quick-cooking oats give the cookies their chewy texture. Make sure to get quick-cooking oats and not old-fashioned oats for the best results.
Ingredients for No Bake Cookies Recipe
Sugar: Provides the sweetness and structure for the cookies.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps dissolve the sugar.
Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the cookies their chocolate flavor.
Peanut butter: Adds creaminess and a nutty flavor.
Quick-cooking oats: Provides texture and chewiness to the cookies.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When bringing the mixture to a boil, make sure to stir constantly to prevent the sugar from burning and sticking to the bottom of the saucepan. This ensures a smooth and even consistency for your no bake cookies.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and adds a slight floral flavor to the cookies.
sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup offers a rich, caramel-like sweetness and can add depth to the flavor profile.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that maintains the liquid consistency needed for the recipe.
milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk adds a creamy texture and a hint of coconut flavor, making the cookies richer.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a plant-based fat that can provide a similar texture and a subtle coconut taste.
butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine is a non-dairy alternative that can mimic the texture and moisture of butter.
unsweetened cocoa powder - Substitute with carob powder: Carob powder is naturally sweet and caffeine-free, offering a similar chocolate-like flavor.
unsweetened cocoa powder - Substitute with dark chocolate: Melted dark chocolate can provide a rich, intense chocolate flavor, though it may slightly alter the texture.
peanut butter - Substitute with almond butter: Almond butter offers a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor, suitable for those with peanut allergies.
peanut butter - Substitute with sunflower seed butter: Sunflower seed butter is a nut-free alternative that provides a similar consistency and taste.
quick-cooking oats - Substitute with rolled oats: Rolled oats can be used but may need to be pulsed in a food processor for a finer texture.
quick-cooking oats - Substitute with quinoa flakes: Quinoa flakes offer a similar texture and are a good gluten-free alternative.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor, adding a nutty undertone.
vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract can add a unique, sweet flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
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How to Store or Freeze These Cookies
- Allow the no bake cookies to cool completely on the wax paper. This ensures they are fully set and won't stick together when stored.
- Once cooled, transfer the cookies to an airtight container. Layer them with sheets of wax paper or parchment paper in between to prevent sticking.
- Store the container at room temperature if you plan to consume the cookies within a week. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- For longer storage, place the airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep the cookies fresh for up to two weeks.
- To freeze, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Place the sheet in the freezer for about an hour or until the cookies are firm.
- Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and store them in the freezer for up to three months.
- When ready to enjoy, remove the desired number of cookies from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.
- For a quicker thaw, you can place the cookies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Place the no bake cookies on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on medium power for 10-15 seconds. Check the texture and warmth, and if needed, continue in 5-second intervals until desired consistency is achieved.
- Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the cookies in a single layer. Warm them in the oven for about 5-7 minutes. Keep a close eye to ensure they don't melt or overheat.
- Use a double boiler method. Place the cookies in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir gently until they reach the desired warmth and consistency. This method helps maintain the texture without direct heat.
- If you have a toaster oven, set it to a low temperature (around 250°F or 120°C). Place the cookies on a piece of aluminum foil or a small baking tray and heat for 3-5 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overheating.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Saucepan: A medium-sized pan used to combine and heat the sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa mixture.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the mixture frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring out the sugar, milk, butter, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and oats.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract precisely.
Wax paper: Placed on a flat surface to drop spoonfuls of the cookie mixture and allow them to cool and set.
Spoon: Used to drop the cookie mixture onto the wax paper.
Heat-resistant spatula: Useful for scraping down the sides of the saucepan to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
Timer: Necessary to time the 1-minute boiling period accurately.
How to Save Time on Making These Cookies
Measure ingredients ahead: Prepare all ingredients in advance to streamline the process.
Use microwave for butter: Melt the butter in the microwave to save time.
Quick oats advantage: Opt for quick-cooking oats as they blend faster.
Line trays early: Lay out wax paper before starting to save setup time.
Pre-mix dry ingredients: Combine sugar and cocoa powder beforehand for quicker cooking.
No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Once boiling, let it boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla until well combined.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool until set.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses
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