Whip up these classic no-bake cookies! Made with just a handful of pantry staples – peanut butter, oats, and cocoa powder – they’re incredibly easy and perfect for an easy dessert.
Ingredients for No Bake Cookies
To make old fashioned no bake cookies, you will need:
- White Sugar – I use granulated sugar for a rich, flavorful taste.
- Whole Milk – For the best results, it is best to use whole milk for a richer fudge mixture, but you can use any milk.
- Butter – Use real butter (salted or unsalted) for best results.
- Cocoa – Adds delicious chocolate flavor; use natural cocoa, cacao, or Dutch cocoa powder.
- Peanut Butter – Use creamy for a smooth texture or chunky for extra crunch.
- Old Fashioned Oats – I prefer their chewier texture over quick oats.
- Vanilla – Enhances the cookies’ flavor with just a small amount.
You will need a large saucepan, parchment or wax paper, a wooden spoon, a timer, and a medium cookie scoop or spoon.
How to Make No-Bake Cookies
- Prep the Baking Sheets: Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
- Mix the Ingredients: Place a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and let it completely melt. Then, add the granulated sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. Stir the mixture to ensure everything is thoroughly combined.
- Boil the Mixture: After mixing, bring the chocolate mixture to a full rolling boil. Set a timer for one minute and let it boil.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Remove the pan from the stove after the mixture boils for one minute. Stir in the creamy peanut butter, old-fashioned rolled oats, and vanilla. Keep stirring until the ingredients are blended and the oats are evenly coated.
- Drop Cookies and Set: Use a cookie scoop or large spoon to drop 1 ½-2 tablespoons of the no-bake cookie mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. The cookies will be soft initially, but they’ll firm up as they cool. Allow them to set for 20-30 minutes.
PRO TIP: Boiling too long will result in dry cookies, and not boiling enough will prevent them from setting properly. The boil time is crucial.
Recipe Tips
- Gather Ingredients – Before making the cookies, gather and measure all the ingredients to make this process go quickly and smoothly.
- Mix Quickly – After removing the mixture from the stove, add the remaining ingredients and mix. Scoop out cookie-size portions quickly to prevent the cookie dough from cooling and hardening in the pan.
- Let the Cookies Set – Allow the cookies to cool for at least 20-30 minutes so they have time to set fully.
Recipe FAQs
These are undoubtedly the easiest cookies to make with just a handful of simple ingredients. These are a nostalgic childhood favorite of mine that will surely become a cherished favorite recipe for your family.
More Cookie Recipes
- These honey oatmeal cookies are the perfect balance of spice, oats, and chocolate chips with no added sugar.
- Try these snickerdoodle cookies, a classic favorite with their soft, cinnamon sugar coating.
Click HERE to view 40 of the best recipes made with old fashioned oats!
Printable Recipe Card
No Bake Cookies With Old Fashioned Oats
No-bake cookies with old-fashioned oats are a delicious and easy treat. Perfect for busy days when you don’t have time to spend in the kitchen, these no-bake cookies are made with just a few simple ingredients, and you don’t need an oven.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup butter, cut into slices
- 4 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
Begin by lining two large baking sheets with parchment paper and putting them aside.
Add the butter to a large saucepan or enameled Dutch oven and melt over medium heat. Once melted, add the granulated sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. Bring to a rolling boil and boil for one minute.
Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, set a timer for 60 seconds. The rolling boil should be evident – the top should be entirely covered with bubbles.
Boiling too long will result in dry no bake cookies, and not boiling enough will prevent them from setting properly. Thus, timing is of the utmost importance.
Once the timer has gone off, take the pan off the stove and stir in the peanut butter, old-fashioned oats, and vanilla. Mix until all the ingredients are blended and the oats are evenly coated.
Drop no-bake cookie mixture by approximately 1 ½-2 tablespoon spoonfuls onto the prepared parchment-lined cookie sheet using a cookie scoop or spoon.
The cookies will have a soft texture but gradually become firmer as they cool. The cookies usually take 20 to 30 minutes to be fully set.
Notes
- Before beginning these cookies, gather and measure all the ingredients. Doing this in advance will make the process go quickly and smoothly.
- Once you take the mixture off the stove, quickly mix the remaining ingredients. Then, scoop out the cookie-size portions immediately; if you wait too long, the cookie dough will begin to cool and harden in the pan.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 20-30 minutes to set fully.
About the Author
Sarah Blankenship | Rocky Hedge FarmSarah is the author behind Rocky Hedge Farm. She is passionate about simple, healthy recipes, cast iron cooking, gardening, and remodeling her manufactured home. She shares her experiences and knowledge to inspire others. Go here to read her story, “Living a Life of Contentment and Joy: Simple Living at Rocky Hedge Farm.” If you want to message Sarah, visit her contact page here.
I just made these today in honor of my late Dad that passed away 2 months ago. These were his favorite cookies to make!