Who remembers the scrumptious taste of classic no-bake cookies with peanut butter, oats, and cocoa powder?
These cookies are chewy, fudgy, peanut buttery, and so satisfying! I just can’t put into words how much I love them. I bet my grandma knew my cookie obsession, so she shared this gem with me. If you’ve struggled to make them in the past, this classic no-bake cookie recipe is perfect for you; this process turns out great every time.
Now, it’s my turn to pass on the legacy!
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How to store no-bake cookies
Store finished cookies in a zipper baggie or other airtight container. For a softer texture, you can keep the container on the counter for three or four days. Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Can you freeze no-bake cookies?
BIG YES! You can freeze these no-bake cookies. All you need to do is put the cookies in an airtight container and put them in the freezer. To get the same chewy texture, be sure to remove them from the freezer at least 30 minutes before serving.
The bottom line
I had to spend a little time trying to understand my grandma’s handwriting on a tattered recipe card for this one. She really liked cinnamon in hers, and I’ve always been a fan of it in everything, but you don’t have to use it if you don’t have it or don’t want to. I think it melds nicely with the peanut butter and chocolate.
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Classic No-Bake Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ c salted butter
- ½ c milk
- 1 ½ c white sugar
- ½ c brown sugar firmly packed
- ½ c creamy peanut butter
- 3 c quick oats
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 4 T unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 dash cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Have all of your ingredients measured and ready to go.
- Combine First 4 Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, milk, white sugar, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugars and melt the butter.
- Boil the Mixture: Once the mixture comes to a rolling boil, allow it to boil gently for about 1 to 2 minutes without stirring. This step is crucial as it ensures the cookies will set properly.
- Remove from Heat: After boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the cocoa powder, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using) until the peanut butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add Oats: Quickly add the oats to the mixture and stir until they are fully coated.
- Form the Cookies: Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. You can use a cookie scoop or two spoons to shape the cookies.
- Let Set: Allow the cookies to set at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes or until firm. You can also place them in the refrigerator to speed up the setting process.
The flavor is very good but three cups of oats is way too much. I had to do an additional 3/4 batch of butter sugar water then added it to the mixture that was way too dry… After that very good!
Hi Valerie. I will revisit my notes on this. Which kind of oats did you use: old fashioned, quick, something else? Thank you for your note!
I’m going to try the no bake peanut butter cookies today when I go make dinner for friends and others that live in the same building as I do. I’m helping a friend out do to the fact he came down with a cold so I am taking over of fixing dinner for a couple nights for him to give him time to heal from having this cold and that way he’s not spreading the virus around to everyone. Also to give him a break time to heal from being sick with a cold & cough.
I’m wondering if there’s another “butter” to use instead of a nut butter, for those with nut allergies?
Interesting idea, Marilyn. Since the peanut butter melts down, I bet almost any other nut butter would work: sunflower seed butter, almond or cashew butter. If you try an alternate butter, let us know how it comes out! –Andi
I have been making one No Bake Cookie recipe for years, but I figure it’s time to change it up seeing as how your detailed recipe is pretty different from mine. I’ve scrawled down your recipe. I look forward to trying something new! Thank you!
They turned out just like my mom use to make. Thank you for the recipe
Never tried no bake cookies. Your recipe is so detailed and easy to follow I’m going to try it with the kiddos.