No-Bake Cookies 

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Growing up, my mom and I spent many hours baking these cookies together. They were great for bake sales and even given out as small gifts. However, it wasn’t until just recently that I rediscovered this recipe. My sisters and I now live on our own and I have dedicated myself to being the “baker” of our house. As a hobby, I enjoy making new desserts every week for all of us to enjoy and this recipe is perfect for just that. It also helps bring a little piece of home back into our new lives. These No-Bake Cookies are quick, easy, and low cost which is a great combination for a college student like myself. So, if you are looking for a new go-to recipe, this one’s for you!

 

Now, let’s get to baking!

 

To start, I typically like to gather all my ingredients together before I start the baking process. I have found that preparing the ingredients beforehand helps create a better flow and saves on clean-up time.

 

 You will need:

•  2 cups of sugar

•  2 tablespoons of cocoa (Hersheys is my personal favorite)

• 1 cup of butter

• ½ cup of milk

• ½ cup of creamy peanut butter

• 3 cups of quick oats

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

• A medium saucepan

• Parchment paper

 

Once you have gathered all your ingredients, it is time to start the baking process. In your medium saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, butter and milk. Once all the ingredients are combined, bring mixture to a boil. Stir constantly to keep the mixture from overflowing and allow it to boil on high for two minutes.

 

Once the mixture is done boiling, remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Continue stirring until all ingredients are completely mixed together.

 

Now it is time to set the cookies. I typically lay out two large sheets of non-stick parchment paper on my countertop. However, this can be done on the kitchen table, a baking sheet, etc. There just needs to be enough room to allow the cookies to cool properly. It is important to remember to start placing the cookie mixture immediately after you have finished mixing the ingredients. Waiting can cause everything to stick together, which will make it difficult when trying to shape the cookies.

 

To place the cookie mixture down, I like to use two spoons. I typically use one spoon to scoop the mixture from the pan, then I use the other to help place it on the paper. For regular sized cookies, only use one spoonful of mixture per cookie. However, depending on the size of cookies you are trying to make, the amount of mixture can vary. I also like to use the spoon to try and smooth out the mixture into a round cookie-like shape. Try to not focus too much on creating the perfect shape, looks won’t matter once you taste how delicious these cookies are! 

 

The most important part of this recipe is the wait time. While they only take a few minutes to put together, the key to making the perfect no-bake is allowing the cookies to set up all the way. I typically wait about an hour or two before removing cookies from the parchment paper. I have found that this allows the cookies to fully set up and it keeps them from falling apart.

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​​​​​​​​​Once you have allowed the cookies to fully cool, it’s time to enjoy! This recipe makes about 30 cookies which is a perfect amount for any occasion! For storing I typically put them in a zip-lock bag or in an airtight storage container. Personally, I like to store them on my counter space, but they are also delicious if stored in the fridge.

 

If you notice that your cookies did not completely set up all the way or they begin to melt, I recommend placing them in the fridge. This saves you from a sticky mess and keeps the cookies nice and fresh!

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Also, if you are a non-peanut butter lover, no worries! These No-Bake’s will still set up perfectly without adding in the peanut butter. No need to buy extra ingredients, just skip the step and enjoy!

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It only takes 10 minutes to make 30 of these delicious cookies! This sweet treat is a great go-to dessert for any occasion. So, whether you are looking for baking without the hassle or in need of a new chocolatey treat, these easy No-Bake Cookies are the perfect recipe for you. Happy Baking!