No Bake Cookies Recipe – These simple chocolate no bake cookies make a perfect sweet treat. Made with cocoa powder, peanut butter, and oats, these cookies are always a favorite.
Looking for more delicious cookie recipes? You’ll love my Chewy Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Peanut Butter Cookies.
These classic chocolate no-bake cookies have been one of my favorite sweet treats since I was a little girl. I remember standing as close as possible to the stove when Mama would make these so that I could help in any way possible. From pouring in the oats, to carefully stirring as I got a little older. And then, when they were ready to drop onto the parchment paper, I was always eager to have that job!
BEST No Bake Cookies Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy recipe. This cookie recipe is so easy to make and perfect for beginning cooks.
- Delicious cookies. The perfect blend of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite!
- No bake easy! There is no need to heat the oven with this favorite, easy cookie recipe.
No Bake Cookie Ingredients
For these cookies, you’ll need sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, butter, vanilla extract, salt, creamy peanut butter, and quick-cooking oats.
How to Make the Best No Bake Cookies Recipe
Making no-bake cookies is one of the simplest cookie recipes to make. There are just a few tricks to ensure they are perfect every time.
- Boil for 1 minute. Add your sugar and cocoa powder to a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Whisk until thoroughly mixed. Add milk and butter and cook over medium-high heat. Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 1 minute. This rolling boil and boiling for 1 minute is the key! Otherwise, your cookies will not set properly.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, peanut butter, and oats.
- Spoon cookies onto parchment. Drop cookies by tablespoons onto parchment paper.
- Allow cookies to dry. Allow to dry for about 10-15 minutes until the no bake cookies have become firm.
How to Store No Bake Cookies
To store. Place cookies in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Here’s the recipe for these chocolate no bake cookies. Grab some parchment paper and make them soon!
Chocolate No Bake Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups (346.5 g) granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons (15.75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup (113.5 g) milk
- 8 tablespoons (113 g) butter, cut into large pieces
- 1 teaspoon (4.7 g) vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon (0.65 g) kosher salt
- ½ cup (135 g) peanut butter
- 3 cups (267 g) quick cooking oats
Instructions
- Add sugar and cocoa powder to a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Whisk until thoroughly mixed.
- Add milk and butter and cook over medium-high heat. Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, salt, peanut butter and oats.
- Drop cookies by tablespoons onto parchment paper.
- Allow to dry for about 10-15 minutes until the no bake cookies have become firm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published 2012.
Sometimes mind turn out gooey and runny and sometimes the come out nice and firm. What am I doing that makes this difference?
I’m not sure, Teresa, but some possible reasons I’ve seen could be in the amount of time boiling them, or that the wrong type of oats are used by mistake. Thanks!
I also have the same problem. Is it too much heat or not long enough?
I’m not certain, Julz. If it’s too runny it could be wrong oats used by mistake or not cooked long enough. I hope that helps! Thanks! xo
It is definitely the boil time. Also you have to use instant oats. One minute isn’t long enough. Boil for 2-3 minutes stirring constantly until it is good and frothy. In the original recipe from the 1950’s the butter is not boiled, it is added along with the peanut butter, vanilla, and oat. I’ve never made a bad batch of No Bakes. I learned from the best…..My Mom!!!!
Thanks JT,
I’m sure your Mom made some delicious cookies! This is how my Mama taught me – but I’m sure there are variations on how different people make these. The recipe does call for quick cooking oats.
These delicious cookies are favorites of so many people!
Thanks so much!
My family too had been making these cookies since I was a kid and we are now on our third generation making them. Believe it or not the weather will have an effect on how they turn out. If it is raining outside they probably will not work. I know it sounds crazy but it’s true.
Have also made these since I was a child (about 60 years ago!) Thanks for reminding me, because it is now time to teach my grandchild how to make them!
I added and they 1/2 of peanuts butter, we like the extra peanut butter taste. Makes them really yummy
Can I use regular oats? What should I do differently?
If you add regular oatmeal, it may make the cookie tough or too chewy. The consistency will change if you use the regular oatmeal.
Have you had success using almond butter instead of peanut butter?
Yes, I make mine with Almond butter and they are fantastic! Depending on the type/brand of Almond butter you use, you may need to add a pinch of salt. The cookie comes out just as good as the PB version!
They are FABULOUS with *crunchy* peanut butter too!
These are our new favorite recipe. They’re so delicious and easy! Only problem is they’re addictive!?
I’m going to try them using honey instead of sugar, I hope they get solid???
I added raisin to my cookies really good
Sounds really good, I’ll give them a try. Do you know if they freeze well. I like to make large batches of cookies and then freeze them.
My mother always kept some in the freezer for when company come over. They always tasted great!