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.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
From trusty pots and pans to handy gadgets, I’ve curated a list of products I use and love.
Classic No Bake Cookies
These classic chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies are made with peanut butter. My husband grew up with his dad making them, and I grew up loving the version my mom’s best friend, Connie, made—I’d find any excuse to visit her because her 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 these countless times, I can say they’re truly special. Whenever we share them, friends and family always ask for the secret—they’re that good!
The first secret is using margarine instead of butter. It makes the cookies shiny and keeps them from drying out, while butter can sometimes leave them looking a bit chalky.
The second secret is plenty of vanilla—it adds amazing flavor, and we can’t get enough of it.
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.
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.
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
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No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup margarine we prefer Blue Bonnet
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder we prefer Hershey's
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup milk any milk will do
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups 1-minute quick oats we prefer Quaker Oats
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter Do a heaping 1/2 cup! Just a smidge more.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a non-stick skillet bring sugar, cocoa, margarine, milk, and salt to a rapid boil for 1 minute. Turn off the heat.
- Add peanut butter, and vanilla; stir in well. Then immediately add the 1-minute quick oats.
- Working quickly, drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper, and let cool.
My dad made these weekly growing up – one of the best memories of my childhood and now are part of my own children’s memories. Love it – although i love crunchy peanut butter!
Love this recipe so easy to follow, thank you!
So delicious and easy to make! this recipe is going to be a staple in my dessert list!
These No Bake Cookies would disappear in our house!
My 9 year old loves making these! And they’re so delicious.
It’s been too long since I’ve made no-bake cookies! I so want to make these soon!
Yes, please! My family would go crazy over these!
Yummy! These are so yummy and delicious! Such a big hit here! Definitely going to make these again!