No Bake Cookies Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate quick chocolate treat, look no further than these No Bake Cookies. Fast, fuss-free, and gloriously chocolatey with a hint of peanut butter, these cookies come together in minutes without ever turning on the oven. Whether you need a speedy dessert for a party, a sweet fix for your afternoon coffee, or an easy kid-friendly activity, this recipe delivers crowd-pleasing flavor and chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of No Bake Cookies lies in their simplicity: a handful of pantry staples magically combine to create rich, fudgy perfection. Each ingredient plays an important role, from the creamy peanut butter to the essential quick oats that bring chewy goodness to every bite.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup): Sets the rich, decadent base and helps everything meld together perfectly.
- Granulated Sugar (2 cups): Provides the classic sweetness and helps the cookies set as they cool.
- Milk (1/2 cup): Adds moisture to dissolve the sugar, giving the cookies their dreamy, soft texture.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1/4 cup): Brings the deep, chocolate flavor that’s so irresistible.
- Creamy Peanut Butter (1/2 cup): Adds a comforting nutty richness and helps bind everything together.
- Vanilla Extract (2 tsp): Enhances all the flavors and adds an inviting, bakery-like aroma.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): Rounds out the sweetness and makes the chocolate flavor pop.
- Quick-Cooking Oats (3 cups): The backbone of No Bake Cookies – these oats provide the perfect chewy, thick texture.
How to Make No Bake Cookies
Step 1: Melt and Mix the Base
In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine your butter, granulated sugar, milk, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir constantly as everything melts together, ensuring the sugar dissolves thoroughly and the cocoa blends in smoothly. This step is where your kitchen starts to smell like a chocolate wonderland!
Step 2: Bring to a Boil
Continue stirring as the mixture heats up. When it reaches a full, rolling boil (the kind you can’t stir down), set a timer and let it boil for exactly 1 minute. This quick boil is crucial: it thickens the base so your No Bake Cookies will set up perfectly later. Overboiling can make them dry, so keep an eye on that timer.
Step 3: Stir in Peanut Butter, Vanilla, and Salt
Remove the saucepan from the heat right after the minute is up. Immediately stir in your creamy peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. The residual heat melts the peanut butter smoothly, creating a glossy, uniform mixture. Make sure everything is fully combined before moving on.
Step 4: Add the Oats
Pour in your quick-cooking oats and mix energetically until every oat is coated with chocolaty-peanut butter goodness. The oats soak up the warm mixture, giving that signature chewy texture that sets these cookies apart.
Step 5: Drop and Cool
Grab a spoon and quickly drop tablespoon-sized scoops onto a parchment or wax paper-lined baking sheet. There’s no need for perfection here—rustic drops are part of their charm! Let them cool at room temperature for 30–45 minutes, waiting for them to set up. Trust me, the waiting is the hardest part!
How to Serve No Bake Cookies
Garnishes
Dress up your No Bake Cookies with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or even a handful of mini chocolate chips or rainbow sprinkles. These little extras add both a pop of color and an extra layer of flavor that kids and adults adore.
Side Dishes
These cookies truly shine alongside a cold glass of milk or cup of strong coffee. For dessert platters, add them to a mix of berries or pair them with scoops of your favorite ice cream to create an instant, crowd-pleasing sundae bar.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve No Bake Cookies in mini cupcake liners for a polished party look, or stack them high on a tiered cake stand for a dramatic touch. For holiday gatherings, think about shaping them slightly or pressing festive cookie cutters into the drops before they cool completely.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
No Bake Cookies keep wonderfully at room temperature for several days. Once they’ve cooled and set, pop them into an airtight container and store on the counter; they’ll stay chewy and fresh for up to five days—if they last that long!
Freezing
These cookies are an ideal make-ahead treat. To freeze, lay them out flat on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to three months, making them perfect for emergency sweet-tooth moments or surprise guests.
Reheating
No need to reheat No Bake Cookies—simply thaw at room temperature for an hour if frozen. For a slightly warm, gooey experience, microwave one for 5–8 seconds, just until it’s soft and extra melty.
FAQs
Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?
Yes, but quick-cooking oats give your No Bake Cookies a softer, more cohesive texture. Old-fashioned oats will create a heartier, chewier result—still delicious, just a little different in bite.
Why won’t my cookies set up?
If your cookies stay sticky or gooey, the mixture probably didn’t boil long enough. Make sure you have a full, rolling boil and keep it going for exactly 1 minute for the perfect set.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds delightful little nutty bits to every bite, which can make your No Bake Cookies even more irresistible.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
They can be! Just make sure you use certified gluten-free oats, and you’ll have a safe treat for anyone who avoids gluten.
Can I add extras like coconut or nuts?
Definitely. Stir in a handful of unsweetened shredded coconut, chopped pecans, or walnuts along with the oats to jazz up the flavor and texture. No Bake Cookies are so easy to customize.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about the way No Bake Cookies come together—quick, simple, and so satisfying every time. If you’re craving a sweet treat that delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort, you’ll fall head-over-heels for these. Go ahead, gather your ingredients and share a batch with your favorite people—you won’t regret it!
Print
No Bake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These easy no-bake cookies are a quick and delicious treat that combines the flavors of chocolate, peanut butter, and oats. Perfect for when you need a sweet fix without turning on the oven.
Ingredients
Cookie Base:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
Instructions
- Cook the Base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. Boil for 1 minute.
- Add Peanut Butter and Oats: Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Add oats and mix well.
- Form Cookies: Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper. Let cool for 30–45 minutes.
Notes
- Quick oats provide the best texture.
- Avoid over-boiling the mixture.
- For variety, consider adding shredded coconut or chopped nuts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
