We made No-Bake Cookies. These aren’t part of the Christmas cookie stash, we just needed some chocolate!
I’m amazed when some people ask me how to make No-Bake Cookies. It makes me step back and appreciate growing up the way I did (well, in most ways :)). All of us kids, even the boys, learned to cook early–probably so we wouldn’t starve until Mom got home from work.
No-Bakes were the first cookie I learned to make on my own when I was about Caitlin’s age. Simple, always on-hand ingredients and a stove were all I needed.
I love to hear “Nana, can we make cookies?”
No-Bakes are the first cookie Caitlin made with me. We’ve made Peanut Butter Candy (totally no-bake, no-cook) together since, but she loves to make No-Bake Cookies.
Some people like peanut butter, some people don’t. You don’t have to find a whole new recipe! Just leave it out. My original recipe I learned to make some eh, eh 35 years ago did not include peanut butter. I’ve since then just added it and the recipe works either way.
How to make No-Bake Cookies:
In a large saucepan combine 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/3 cup cocoa.
Bring to a FULL boil (cannot be stirred down) over medium heat, stirring frequently. Boil at a FULL boil for three full minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat. If you’re using peanut butter, stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter (crunchy or plain, your choice).
Keep the 2-year old busy with a plate of peanut butter and a spatula.
Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla, then 3 cups oats. If using old fashioned oats, cool mixture in saucepan for 5 minutes.
Drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Find all of the No-Bake Cookie Recipes!
Some recipes call for “boiling at full boil” for 1 minute. I cannot get these cookies to set up right. I always revert back to “boiling for 3 minutes at a full boil”. If you’re having problems with a recipe setting up, try boiling for 3 full minutes if it calls for only 1…adding more oatmeal only makes it drier, not the fudgy texture we love.
When Caitlin’s helping me, I do the cooking part. Until she tells me and I verify that she’s allowed to cook on the stove at home, I will do the cooking, she will do the measuring and the mixing.
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kellyb says:
Those children are beautiful. I love the ears! You’re making memories they’ll cherish forever. Good job Nana!
I like the recipe too.
On November 7, 2011 at 7:44 am
JerseyMom says:
I LOVE these cookies and I learned to make them with my grandmother a loooong time ago 😉 We made them both ways too but I think I like the peanut butter ones the best. Grandma used to put them in tins and freeze them and my brother and I each got our own stash whenever she came to visit. When we moved closer she just kept those tins in her freezer and we ate them whenever we wanted them. My kids love them too – guess we’d better make a batch soon!
On November 7, 2011 at 9:19 am
lisabetholson says:
What a beautiful post CindyP! I haven’t made those cookies for years, I’m sure DH will eat them. No grandchildren around here.
On November 7, 2011 at 10:58 am
Judy says:
No Bake Cookies have always been my favorite. My mom always made them when I was little. I still make them. They are one of my son’s favorites too. He’s 32, and still asks me to make them. I don’t add peanut butter because my DH doesn’t like peanut butter and chocolate together.
On November 7, 2011 at 11:09 am
YvonneM says:
My (now) husband’s mother gave me this same recipe years ago, before we were married. She called them “Cow Piles”! He loves them to this day, and so do I. (And he still calls them Cow Piles!)
On November 7, 2011 at 4:58 pm