The "Secret" to Making No Bake Choc Oat Cookies

No Bake Choc Oat Cookies were a favorite in the Harris household growing up. We made them nearly every year at Christmastime. And as easy as they are to make (no baking, few ingredients), some years they might come out dry and crumbly (or even worse, they might not set up at all).

Over the years we've figured out a few tips to share to ensure that your batch of No Bake Cookies comes out perfect every time.

Tips for Making Perfect No Bake Choc Oat Cookies

• First, make sure that you measure out all ingredients ahead of time. You need to work quickly when mixing these cookies. So if you're trying to measure out a cup of peanut butter while timing your boiling, you'll end up boiling your mixture for too long. Every. Single. Time.
• Make sure that you start timing your boiling after the mixture comes to a full, rolling boil. Then boil the mixture for exactly 1 minute and 15 seconds. Do not start timing as soon as you see bubbles. You won't boil your mixture enough that way.
• Don’t substitute old fashioned or rolled oats. Instant or "quick" oats are a must-have for this recipe. The cookies won’t have the same texture if you use a different type of oats.
• Finally, (and this one's REALLY important), never make No Bake Cookies when there's moisture in the air. Rain? Nope. Snow? Negative. High humidity because you're in the South and winter temperatures haven't kicked in yet? Sorry, but no. Running a humidifier in your home? Hope you like eating your cookies with a spoon. Seriously, you need a perfectly dry day for these cookies to set up correctly. Any hint of moisture in the air will cause them to stay gooey.

No Bake Choc Oat Cookies

1 stick butter

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup milk

4 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 cup creamy peanut butter

3 cups instant oats

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Line baking sheets with wax paper and set aside. 
2. Measure your peanut butter and oats and get out your vanilla and measuring spoon. Set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, add butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. Place on medium heat.
4. Bring the mixture in the saucepan to a rolling boil. 
5. Once it is at a full boil, boil for exactly 1 minute and 15 seconds, then immediately remove from the heat.
6. Add in the peanut butter and stir. Add in the oats and stir. Add in the vanilla and stir.
7. Drop by tablespoon onto lined baking sheets.
8. Let cool for approximately 30 minutes or until set.
9. Store in an airtight container.

Fun Fact

These cookies go by many different names: No Bake Cookies, Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, Cow Pies, Stovetop Cookies, or Preacher Cookies. The recipe is actually listed in our family cookbook as Preacher Cookies, but we always called them No Bake Choc Oats.

The reason they are sometimes called Preacher Cookies is because years ago when preachers made a practice of visiting members of their congregation at home, the cookies were a treat that ladies could prepare quickly with ingredients that they usually already had in their pantries. A housewife could prepare them quickly when she looked out her window and saw the preacher riding up the mountain on his horse. By the time the preacher arrived, the cookies were already cooling!

Whatever you call them, we hope you use our tips to make sure your No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies come out perfectly this Christmas! 

My final tip is to try to get some super-cute elves to help you make them or to agree to be your quality control inspectors/taste-testers. This step is not absolutely necessary, but it always seems to work for us. Enjoy!