Easy No Bake Cookies, just like you remember, but better. We make these easy no bake oatmeal cookies on repeat, and soon you will, too.

Everyone needs a great no-bake cookie recipe; this is our family’s go-to. They are everything you expect with chewy oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate but amped up with extra vanilla for a special touch. Plus, learn my secret for making shiny cookies that are never dry and crumbly. It might surprise you.

I have been making no bake cookies for as long as I can remember but I never published the recipe because there are just so many versions on the internet already. These are my family’s favorite cookies and after researching, I realized my version has a few unexpected twists.

Also, when I asked my 12-year-old daughter, Jersey, what food she thought represented our family, without hesitation, she replied, “no bake cookies”. Well then, that settled it. I had to share the recipe.

Classic No Bake Cookies

These are the classic chocolate and oatmeal no bake cookies that are made with peanut butter. My husband’s dad made these for him growing up, and I grew up with a version my mom’s best friend, Connie, made. I found any excuse to go to Connie’s house because her no bake cookies were always the best.

Now we make them one to two times a week. I am not kidding about that, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Jersey said it’s the food that represents us best. If we had a family crest, a no bake cookie would be the centerpiece!

After making this recipe countless times, I can tell you what makes it so unique. Whenever we share them with friends and family they want to know the secret – they’re that good!

The first secret is margarine. I use it instead of butter and it makes these cookies so shiny and not dried out. No bake cookies made with butter can look a little chalky – margarine solves this problem.

The second secret is vanilla and lots of it. It gives them a great flavor – we love it.

Ingredients

Margarine- we like Blue Bonnet
Cocoa powder – we like Hershey’s
White sugar
Milk – any kind will work
Salt
Quick oats – we like Quaker Oats
Creamy peanut butter – I like to do a heaping 1/2 cup! Just a smidge more than 1/2 a cup.
Pure vanilla extract – there are two whole teaspoons in this recipe.

How to Make No Bake Cookies Step-by-Step

Measure out the ingredients so they are ready. This is an easy recipe, but it goes quickly so it’s good idea to have everything ready before you start.

sugar, butter, and cocoa powder in a skillet.

Combine the sugar, cocoa, margarine, milk, and salt in a non-stick skillet and bring the mixture to a rapid boil for one minute.

Add peanut butter and vanilla and stir to combine.

Once combined, immediately add the quick oats and stir them.

Working quickly, drop the oatmeal mixture by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

a spoonful of the mixture being dropped into a sheet pan.

Leave them to cool and, once set, they are ready to serve.

They will stay at room temperature for up to a week or store them in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Sandra’s Tips

Why did my no bake cookies not set? The key to this recipe is cooking the cookie mixture. You need to boil it for one full minute or to a temperature of 230°F. If the mixture is undercooked, your cookies will be soft and not set correctly. In my experience, bringing the mixture to a rapid boil for one minute works every time and I don’t need a thermometer to check the temperature
Can you put them in the fridge to harden? It’s unnecessary because it doesn’t take long for them to firm up at room temperature. Unless it’s very warm in your kitchen, you don’t need to chill them.
Can you use foil instead of wax paper? Yes, if that’s what you have on hand, it will work. You want to use something that is nonstick.
How long do no bake cookies keep? Keep them in an airtight container, and they will keep them at room temperature for up to a week. Or keep them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Can you freeze No Bake Cookies? Yes, just place them in a freezer container and they will keep for two months in the freezer.

overhead shot of the no bake cookies on a sheet pan.

There might be a gazillion recipes for this type of cookie, but I can promise you this no-bake cookie recipe is the best. Like my family, you will love every last bite of these chocolatey oatmeal treats. Enjoy! xoxo San

More No-Bake Recipes

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No Bake Cookies

Prep: 5

Cook: 5

Total: 19

Servings: 22

Calories: 188 kcal

Everyone needs a great no bake cookie recipe and this our family's go-to recipe. They are everything you expect with chewy oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate but amped up with extra vanilla for a special touch.

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