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I love how quick and easy these Chocolate No Bake Cookies are to make! I keep a batch on hand during the holidays and find plenty of reasons to make them all year long. I make them with cocoa powder, sugar, peanut butter, and oats for a soft, chewy, chocolatey treat that I just can’t resist.
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“Excellent results using this recipe. Cookies turned out perfectly. I have used another recipe for years and have struggled with inconsistent results, i.e., waxy or crumbly cookies. Highly recommend this simple recipe.” -Jerry
Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Christmas is the season for cookies, but I don’t always have the time to watch the oven. That’s where these no bake cookies come in. They’re so easy to make, and I can whip up a batch and let them sit while I work on the rest of my to-do list. It doesn’t get any easier than stirring together butter, cocoa powder, oats, and peanut butter and then dropping the batter on a cookie sheet so it firms up.
What I end up with is a soft, chewy, chocolatey cookie with a hint of nuttiness from the peanut butter. I can never stop at just one; believe me, these cookies are hard to resist. This recipe is great for the holidays or any type of entertaining, as it makes a big batch.
Tips for Beginners
- Be sure to line your baking trays with parchment. This cookie dough is sticky, so the parchment paper helps for easy removal.
- The milk mixture only needs to boil for one minute. Don’t boil it any longer, or it can affect the texture of the cookies, as more moisture will be removed, which can lead to crumbly cookies.
- Mix the dough really well. The dough is quite thick, so take the time to mix it all well so the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Allocate time for the cookies to set. The cookies will take about 30 minutes to fully set. If you try to eat them too soon, they’ll fall apart.
- Quick-cooking oats are best. I prefer using quick-cooking oats, though some readers have reported using old-fashioned oats; these are a bit firmer than quick-cooking oats, so your cookies may not be as soft.
Chocolate No Bake Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113g (1 stick)
- 2 cups granulated sugar 400g
- ½ cup milk 114g, at least 2%
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 21g
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter 135g
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 8 grams
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 3 cups quick oats 267g
Video
Instructions
- Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
- Add the butter, sugar, milk, cocoa powder, and salt to a large saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat.½ cup unsalted butter, 2 cups granulated sugar, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla, and cinnamon (if using); mix until incorporated.½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- Add the oats and mix well.3 cups quick oats
- Working quickly, drop by tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheets and let the cookies completely set/cool. If desired, flatten the mounds slightly with a spoon.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 2 Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- Line the baking trays with parchment for easy cookie removal.
- Don’t boil the milk mixture longer than 1 minute, or it can affect the texture of the cookies.
- Everything should be well incorporated into the dough mixture.
- Allow 30 minutes for the cookies to set fully.
- Quick cooking oats will give the cookies the best texture.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make No Bake Cookies Step by Step
Get the baking sheets ready and make the batter: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, and to a saucepan add ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 cups granulated sugar, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and ⅛ tsp kosher salt. Boil for 1 minute and then take off the heat.
Stir in ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, and ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon.
Add the 3 cups of quick oats and mix well.
Drop the batter: Working quickly, drop by the tablespoon onto the baking sheets and let the cookies set. If desired, flatten the mounds slightly with a spoon.
Serve: Once set, serve and enjoy.
How to Store
The beauty of chocolate no bake cookies, is that they have a long shelf life compared to baked cookies. Once they have fully set, transfer them to an airtight container, with the layers separated by parchment, and they will keep at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze
You can also freeze the cookies in Ziploc bags for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
If it’s the holidays and these cookies are out, I’ll be serving this slow cooked crockpot eggnog, a batch of malted homemade hot chocolate, and a chai tea with bourbon so everyone can enjoy a hot beverage and a cookie or two. This recipe is ideal for entertaining as it makes a big batch and it doesn’t take up any oven space.
More No Bake Recipes To Try
- No Bake Avalanche Cookies come together with Rice Krispies, melted white chocolate, milk chocolate, and peanut butter.
- This Banana Split Dessert is made with a graham cracker crust, a creamy pineapple layer, bananas, and cream with tart cherries on top.
- This No Bake Cheesecake turns out smooth, creamy, and perfectly sweet.
Perfect
Can I use canned milk?
Hi Shelby, you can substitute ½ cup evaporated milk without diluting it. It will make the cookies a little richer and creamier, but it should work well.
YES & they were Amazing! I FINALLY learned to make these to perfection & for me the key is once it starts the rolling boiling, count to 60 seconds and take it OFF the burner. I think I had always over cooked it. I did take someone else’s advice also and that was to have ALL the ingredients measured and ready to go. YUMMY!
Excellent results using this recipe. Cookies turned out perfectly. I have used another recipe for years and have struggled with inconsistent results i.e. waxy or crumbly cookies. Highly recommend this simple recipe. BTW these cookies are delicious!
I made this recipe but I doubled it and put into a 9 x 13 cake pan and cut into bars and i called it Peanut butter fudge bars bars 😀 they were a hit!
What are quick oats? I have old fashioned oats that require 5 minutes to cook. Will these work?
Hi Cyndy, they are a type of oat. Quick oats help the cookies set more reliably and create that classic soft, cohesive no-bake texture. Old fashioned oats will work but might create a chewier, chunkier cookie.
I used to make these cookies all the time when I was younger. I had forgotten about them until I was looking for no bake recipes. They turned out great, and are as delicious as I remember!
Super dry recipe. Too much oats for the liquid.
Sorry it didn’t turn out for you Kenna!
It’s good
Love
I made this
Got 24 cookies
Taste delicious
Thank you for sharing this recipe