No Bake Cookies are an all-time favorite American cookie recipe for a reason: they are peanut buttery, chocolaty, and lightly chewy all while not heating up your kitchen! Use quick oats and creamy peanut butter instead of old-fashioned oats or natural peanut butter for the best flavor and and texture.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or wax paper.
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa powder and place over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture reaches a boil.
Allow the mixture to boil for exactly 60 seconds without stirring, then remove from heat. Add the oats, peanut butter, and vanilla. Stir until well combined.
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop heaps of the mixture onto parchment paper (about 2 tablespoons each). Let the cookies cool until set, 20 to 30 minutes. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
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Notes
Boil the chocolate and sugar mixture for exactly one minute. This will ensure that the mixture cooks up to the perfect consistency, allowing it to set. Additionally, be sure not to stir the chocolate mixture while it boils.
Scoop the cookies quickly. The cookie batter will start to stiffen up as it cools, so work quickly as you scoop the cookie dough. For the quickest process and uniformity, I recommend using a cookie scoop.
Make this no-bake cookies recipe your own. Mix-in toppings add your own flair to the recipe. Stir a teaspoon of instant coffee granules, a handful of roasted peanuts, or a half cup of sweetened dried coconut flakes into the batter with the oatmeal. You can also gently press M&Ms, sprinkles, or chocolate chips onto the top of the cookie mounds before cooling. This is such an easy dessert to jazz up, so have fun with it!