No-Bake Cookies
These easy Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are a classic old-fashioned treat made with chocolate, peanut butter, oats, and simple pantry ingredients. No oven required!
Equipment
- 1 3 quart saucepan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup peanut butter smooth or crunchy or Nutella
- 3 cups quick oats
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet, countertop, or large tray with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan. Add the cocoa powder, salt, and sugar. Whisk until well combined.
- Add the milk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking and stirring constantly for 3 minutes. The mixture should be smooth and the sugar should be dissolved. Do not let it come to a hard boil.
- If using a candy thermometer, the chocolate mixture should reach 230°F before removing it from the heat.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the vanilla and peanut butter. Whisk until smooth and completely combined.
- Add the oats and optional nuts. Stir until the oats are thoroughly coated in the chocolate peanut butter mixture.
- Quickly drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper.
- Allow the cookies to cool and set for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
The key to perfect no-bake cookies is the cooking time. Once the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, cook for exactly 3 minutes, stirring constantly. If you have a candy thermometer, cook to 230°F.
Cooking the fudge mixture longer will result in a firmer, less creamy cookie. Undercooking can result in cookies that don't set properly.
You can use either quick oats or rolled oats. Smooth or crunchy peanut butter both work beautifully. Nutella can also be substituted for the peanut butter.
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 48mgPotassium: 68mgFiber: 2gSugar: 23gCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg
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