Sunday, April 6, 2014

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies




My mom used to make these cookies for my brother and I when we were growing up.  They continue to be our favorite cookie!  Typically she made them during the Christmas holidays but we love them any time.  They are great for summer treats because you don't have to use the oven.  They aren't super healthy, but with ingredients like oatmeal and peanut butter, I have determined (ha!) that they aren't such a bad choice.  Certainly they are a better choice than boxed cookies, right?

I have made another recipe for these cookies.  Recipes for this cookie are all over the place.  The last recipe I made was a flop!  They didn't set up.  That was so disappointing!  I decided that, "Mama knows best" and dug out my mom's recipe for these cookies.  I followed her instructions to a T and they worked like a charm.  Definitely do it exactly like it says.  Who wants a flop recipe?  Not me!

The only thing that I changed was that I really didn't feel like dropping them out onto wax paper and I spread mine in a pan and then cut like brownies.  So much easier!

Here's how I made No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies AT HOME MY WAY:


No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter
Oatmeal Cookies
 
 
  • 1/2 stick margarine (1/4 cup)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups granulated white sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter (I used generic "natural" peanut butter.)
  • 2 cups quick oats (or regular oats will probably work fine)
 
Instructions:
 
In a medium size pot (because the mixture will swell as it cooks to double in size), FIRST melt margarine and milk completely.  Then add sugar, salt, cocoa. 
 
Bring to a full, rolling boil and TIME for 1 1/2 minute.  Do not start timing until the mixture has swelled and is completely bubbly and puffy looking.  Then start timing.
 
After 1 1/2 minutes of full, rolling boil, remove from the burner.  Add the vanilla and peanut butter.  Stir until completely melted/smooth.
 
Add oats last.  Blend well.
 
Pour into sprayed 8 x 8 square pan or drop onto wax paper or buttered foil.
 
Let cool completely.
 
Cut to serve or remove the cookies to an airproof container (when cool).
 
Here are some steps/pics of the process:
 
 
 
 
Don't start timing (1 1/2 minute) until the mixture is completely bubbling and swelled up like this.  You won't be able to stir down the boiling.
 
 

 
After boiling 1 1/2 minute, remove from burner.  Add the vanilla and the peanut butter.
 
 
 
Stir the vanilla and peanut butter into the hot mixture until melted/smooth.
 
 
Add the oats.
 
 
 
Stir until all mixed well.
 
 
Spread in the pan the best that you can.
 
 
 
I pat mine down with a the back of a sprayed measuring cup to press into the pan.  Saves clean hands!
 
 
Now let it cool!
 
 
 
Cut into squares.  Not too big.  They're deliciously rich!
 
 
 
Enjoy!
 

 
Gina