No Bake Cookies with Old Fashioned Oats

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This recipe for no bake cookies with old fashioned oats are sure to please your whole family! I’ve been making these from the time I was old enough to help my mom in the kitchen.

My mom used to make these cookies all the time for me and my brother. We absolutely loved them and they never lasted long in our house. I continue to make these with the recipe she jotted down for me on a post it note. It sits lovingly in my recipe box on that original note. 

Easy No Bake Cookies with Old Fashioned Oats

Supplies Needed to Make No Bake Cookies

• Parchment or Wax Paper
• Non-stick Sauce Pan
• Serving Spoon or a small Cookie Scoop
• Wooden Spoon

Can you put the no bake cookies on aluminum foil?

I would not use aluminum foil as it does not have any of the non-stick properties that parchment or wax paper have.

Cast of Characters

• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 3 cups old fashioned oats

Can you use quick oats?

As you can see, I’m using old fashioned oats. I do this because that’s what my mom always used because that’s what she had on hand. It’s what I tend to have on hand, as well.

If you want your oatmeal a little more tender and less prominent, you can switch on over to the quick oats. Either one will work, so use what you have on hand.

Making the Cookies

Simply mix the first five ingredients listed over medium heat. I tend to let my butter melt before I add the other ingredients. Once you have those nicely mixed, let this mixture come to a boil.

It needs to be a full boil for 60 seconds.

Once it has boiled, take it off the heat and mix in the peanut butter and oats. 

Drop them onto a parchment paper to set up. I don’t worry with how they look, I like the rustic jagged edges from just putting them on the paper with a serving spoon. However, if you are a perfectionist you can use a small cookie scoop to get a perfectly round cookie.

Let them set up, then serve! Enjoy!

Why won’t my no bake cookies set up?

If your cookies won’t firm up, odds are you didn’t let the mixture come to a full boil for the minute needed.

Why are my no bake cookies crumbly and dry?

If you cookies are dry and crumbly, you likely let the mixture boil for too long.

Other No Bake Desserts You May Enjoy:

Old Fashioned Lemon Icebox Dessert Recipe

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