And You Thought I Was Done No-Baking ~ Traditional No-Bake Cookies

Surprise!  One more no-bake recipe for you!  I've never posted these no-bake cookies here because it seems like everybody else already has them or a version of them posted.  Mine aren't really different, but I do have tips for you to get that no-bake perfection every time.  Of course no-bake cookies are yummy no matter what, but if you have that just-right texture and consistency they're even better.  Look at me, soundin' like I'm a no-bake expert or somethin'!  LOL!

The funny thing is that I never had no-bake cookies until about 10 years ago.  I found a recipe printed in an ad...for KFC!  Weird, I know!  Anyway I tried them and loved them!  When hubs tasted them, he realized that his mother used to make them when he was a kid.  Good cookie memories!  Now I'm happy to have them as a part of our family's cookie history. 

Also - you should know that I like to think of these cookies as kind of healthy.  They have protein in the milk and peanut butter, fiber in the oats, antioxidants in the chocolate  - if that doesn't justify a second cookie, I don't know what does!  ;)

Ingredients in the pan - be sure to follow the measurements *exactly* if you want cookie perfection! And I recommend using real butter. It tastes good and the cookies set up well.

Have everything measured out ready to go. Not only are measurements important, but timing too. And I know you're going to try and use extra oats. Don't do it. :) This amount is just right - too much and your cookies won't turn out as nice!

Important to remember - stir constantly until mixture comes to a FULL boil, then stop stirring, set your timer for 1 minute and watch the bubbles! This needs to happen for best set up. After 1 minute, immediately remove from heat.

After removing from heat, I like to add the remaining ingredients in the following order: stir in peanut butter completely; stir in vanilla extract; stir in oats until well-coated. You should have a thick wet batter.

Best way to get pretty cookies and consistent size - the cookie scoop! This is my Pampered Chef medium scoop, but any brand will do. Just fill it up and plop each scoop onto wax paper. I think the dirty tile grout really sets off the scoop nicely in this pic, don't you? ;)

Pretty scoops! Work quickly here - the mixture will start to set up and if you don't get your scoops out in time, it will start to get a little dry and crumbly.

After 3 days in a ziploc bag (good luck getting them to last that long - these 3 were set aside) - starting to dry more but still delicious!

Traditional No-Bake Cookies

6 tablespoons cocoa powder (I used Dutch this time, but either kind of cocoa powder works)
2 cups sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1/2 cup milk
3 cups quick oats
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Have all ingredients measured and ready.  Spread wax paper on counter or table.  In medium saucepan, mix cocoa powder, sugar, butter and milk over medium heat.  Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a full boil (very important to continue stirring until mixture reaches boiling).  Once it reaches full boil, stop stirring and continue to boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.

Add peanut butter, vanilla, and oats.  Stir until well-combined and scoop out tablespoons or larger of mixture onto wax paper.  Cookies should set up within a few minutes.  With the size scoop I use, I get about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.  Store cookies at room temp in airtight container.

A couple of fixes if things go wrong:  If your batter seems too runny and you don't think it will set up, try putting the whole mixture into a 9x13 pan, chilling it in the refrigerator, and then cutting into bars.  If the batter gets too dry and crumbly before you get it scooped out, use it to top ice cream or even as a kind of chocolate cereal!

Do you make no-bake cookies?  What's your favorite version?

Have a fabulous day friends!