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    Home » Cookies » No Bake Cookies

    No Bake Cookies

    Published: Nov 16, 2018 · Modified: Nov 14, 2022 by Jennie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    My all-time favorite cookie recipe! Just a few ingredients and no time in the oven for these delicious No-Bake Cookies. Yes, I cook and bake every day, but my favorite cookie is a No-Bake Cookie! 

    no-bake cookies on paper on wood cutting board

    Finding the best way to make No-Bake Cookies:

    These No-Bake Cookies can sometimes have a mind of their own. I have made them for years and was never able to get them right every time.

    Sometimes they would set and sometimes they stayed wet. They still tasted amazing wet but no one wants to have to use a spoon to eat cookies. 

    I tested and tested and I think I have a no-fail recipe. Just follow the easy steps in order and watch the time.

    I found that in the past I let them boil too long or not long enough. And even adding in too many ingredients at one time changed the outcome of my cookies.

    Give them and try and let me know how they turn out for you!

    Ingredients:

    • Sugar
    • Milk
    • Unsalted Butter
    • Cocoa Powder
    • Quick Oats
    • Creamy Peanut Butter
    • Vanilla Extract

    Directions:

    Step one: In a large pot add sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa powder. Slowly bring to a boil while whisking. Once at a boil allow boiling for one minute. I even set a timer and stopped the whisking and only let it go for that one minute.
    adding ingredients to a pot

    Step two: Remove from heat and add in oats. Mix well. Add in peanut butter, mix well. Last, add in vanilla extract and mix well.

    • Tip: Do not mix in another bowl add your oats and peanut butter into your warm pot. 

    Step three: Lay out parchment paper on the counter and spoon out the dough into cookie shapes. Allow sitting for 15-30 minutes.

    spooning dough

    Tips and FAQs:

    • Oats: I typically use quick oats for this recipe. I have found after testing that they work best.
    • Butter: For this recipe make sure you are using real butter not margarine. It will make a difference until how they set.
    • Setting time: These cookies could take 20-30 minuets to set. If your house is too hot I will sometimes open a window or even stick them in the fridge.
    • Pro Tip: This recipe moves fast and over boiling or letting things sit to long could mess it up. I always prepare all ingredients before starting and measure everything out so I can move quick.

    no-bake cookies stacked on top of towel on table

    If you tried this recipe or any of my recipes I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, and YOUTUBE.

    I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.

    Show me what you are making, tag us, or use hashtag #TDOARH

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    No-Bake Cookies

    Jennie Duncan
    My all-time favorite cookie recipe! Just a few ingredients and no time in the oven for these delicious No-Bake Cookies. Yes, I cook and bake every day, but my favorite cookie is a No-Bake Cookie!
    4.89 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    resting time 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 cookies
    Calories 330 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups sugar
    • ½ cup milk
    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • ¼ cup cocoa powder
    • 3 cups quick oats
    • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot add sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa powder. Slowly bring to a boil while whisking. Once at a boil allow to boil for one minute (I set a timer and stopped the whisking).
    • Remove from heat and add in oats. Mix well. Add in peanut butter, mix well. Last add in vanilla extract and mix well. 
    • Lay out parchment paper on the counter and spoon out the dough into cookie shapes. Allow to set for 15-30 minutes. 

    Video

    Notes

    Oats: I typically use quick oats for this recipe. I have found after testing that they work best. 
    Butter: For this recipe make sure you are using real butter not margarine. It will make a difference until how they set. 
    Setting time: These cookies could take 20-30 minuets to set. If your house is too hot I will sometimes open a window or even stick them in the fridge. 
    Pro Tip: This recipe moves fast and over boiling or letting things sit to long could mess it up. I always prepare all ingredients before starting and measure everything out so I can move quick.
    Mixing: Do not mix in another bowl add your oats and peanut butter into your warm pot. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 7gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 84mgPotassium: 202mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 29mgIron: 1.2mg
    Keyword No Bake Cookies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    « Double Chocolate Oatmeal Muffins
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    Comments

    1. Amy

      August 26, 2022 at 10:01 pm

      Just made these and they are pretty yummy! I just wish it would have said "quick oats" instead of "oats" on the ingredients. Now we need to chew hard since I didn't see that you suggested it until after glancing at the ingredient list and making them. I can definitely see why you use quick oats instead. 😝 I would also do a less amount of oats since they're so overwhelming. Other than that though, these cookies are so good! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jennie

        November 14, 2022 at 12:50 pm

        Thanks for sharing this. I have updated the recipe to say Quick Oats. Appreciate the feedback!

        Reply
    2. Mj

      August 05, 2022 at 7:07 pm

      These are so delicious. Turned out great. I do add 1/3cup cocoa instead of 1/4 cup. I also add a little more oatmeal.
      Thank you for the recipe

      Reply
    3. Micah

      July 25, 2022 at 2:28 pm

      I have not made no bake cookies since I was a little girl!
      Now I’m making them for my little boys!
      Thanks for the wonderful memories growing up !

      Reply
      • Jennie

        October 13, 2022 at 7:03 pm

        I am so happy to hear that! I hope you boys loved them.

        Reply
    4. Yamickco

      June 10, 2022 at 9:32 am

      I have a severe nut allergy and would like to know if you or anyone else has used sunflower butter?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        July 29, 2022 at 2:48 pm

        I'm sorry, but I have not tried this recipe with sunflower butter. I imagine it would work, but again haven't tried myself.

        Reply
    5. Darlene

      December 19, 2021 at 11:48 am

      I love this recipe ! After I take the pan off the heat I put my Jif or Skippy Natural creamy peanut butter in so it can melt and add my quick oats in, stir it up and then I put a lid on it put it in the cold garage on the floor while preparing something else to bake in the oven. Then I grab my no bake mixture and spoon it out on parchment paper or waxed paper. 😋 yummy

      Reply
    6. Jenny Ray

      November 21, 2021 at 11:18 pm

      These are my favorites my Mom has made them for me since I was little!

      Reply
      • H Riaz

        December 28, 2022 at 8:31 pm

        Everyone loves these! I used almond milk since I usually don't drink cow milk. It was a perfect substitute. Next time I will try to substitute half or all the sugar with monk fruit sugar.

        Reply
    7. Marcy S

      September 17, 2021 at 6:53 pm

      I have made these No-Bake cookies two times. They are easy and delicious. My husband loves them.

      Reply
      • Jennie

        September 21, 2021 at 7:57 pm

        So glad to hear that!

        Reply
      • Cathy

        December 07, 2022 at 4:12 pm

        Is there something I can do to the oats if they are the old fashioned kind? Not the Quick oats?

        Reply
    8. Ashley

      August 23, 2021 at 6:54 pm

      I'm wondering if I can freeze these for later? My fiancé won't eat them and I could but don't want to eat them all by myself lol.

      Reply
      • Jennie

        August 23, 2021 at 8:17 pm

        Yes you can. I would place them on a baking sheet to freeze then place them in a freezer bag so they don't all stick together. They can stay on the freezer for up to 3 months.

        Reply
    9. nicole

      August 18, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      Can i use all natural jif peanut butter? Just wondering if it changes the consistency.

      Reply
      • Jennie

        August 21, 2021 at 1:26 pm

        I have not tried that but I think it would work. As long as it's well mixed before and not separated or to oily.

        Reply
      • Megan

        August 31, 2021 at 6:16 pm

        That's the peanut butter we use and it’s great!

        Reply
      • Laura Burris

        September 28, 2021 at 12:15 pm

        Can you use semi sweet baking chips instead of cocoa? I'm out of it and payday is a few days away

        Reply
        • Jennie

          September 28, 2021 at 2:45 pm

          I have never tried it and these cookies are very easy to mess up and not set so I wouldn't suggest it but like I said I never tried it.

          Reply
          • Denise

            December 21, 2022 at 12:55 pm

            I made these & my turned out kind of crumbling. They turned kinda of dry. Uggh! Followed recipe to a T. I live in Ks it is cloudy.

      • Darlene

        December 19, 2021 at 11:42 am

        Yes that's what I use is Skippy Natural or Jif Natural , I've even used the creamy peanut butter from Aldi.
        I love this recipe!

        Reply
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