These no bake cookies are an easy to make dessert with only a few simple ingredients. Soft, chewy and fudgy with a classic chocolate and peanut butter taste!
Table of Contents
Classic No Bake Cookies
I love to make all types of no-bake desserts because they are simple, quick and no hot oven is required! These no-bake oatmeal cookies are a favorite, as well as no-bake cornflake cookies, rice krispie treats and trail mix muddy buddies.
No bake cookies are my go-to cookie recipe and are always a crowd favorite. They have the perfect chocolate and peanut butter combo and are super soft and chewy.
The best part about these is that they only take 7 ingredients and 15 minutes to make. It doesn’t get better than that! Seriously, these are the easiest cookie recipe you will ever make! If you love these don’t miss my easy peanut butter cookies.
Recipe Ingredients
Before making these easy no bake cookies it is a great idea to gather and measure out all your ingredients.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Butter: Real butter will add the best rich taste although margarine could be used.
- Milk: Any milk works from skim milk to whole milk or even 2%. You could even use a non dairy milk such as almond milk.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a sweet taste and helps the cookies set.
- Cocoa powder: Adds the signature chocolate taste. Use natural unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch-process cocoa powder.
- Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter is best, crunchy peanut butter could be used but skip any natural peanut butter you have to stir.
- Vanilla extract: Adds another layer of flavor.
- Quick cooking oats: Quick-cooking oats are smaller and less chewy and preferred for this recipe.
How to Make No Bake Cookies
- Bring mixture to boil. Combine sugar, butter, milk and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook an additional 1 1/2 minutes and then immediately remove from heat.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
- Add oats: Then add in quick oats with a pinch of salt and stir until well coated.
- Drop onto baking sheet and let set. Using a spoon or cookie scoop to drop the cookie batter onto the lined baking sheet. Let cool until set.
Cooking Tips
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or wax paper so the cookies don’t stick.
- Before removing the pan from the burner, make sure the mixture is boiling (not simmering).
- In order to speed up the setting process, place cookies in refrigerator to harden faster.
- To store: Store at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the fridge for 5-7 days.
- To freeze: Let set completely, then add to freezer bag or airtight container. Store in freezer for 2-3 months.
FAQs
Your no-bake cookies will stay soft and not harden if you did not boil your sugar and butter mixture long enough. Boil for exactly 1 1/2 minutes. Also, allow your cookies to cool for at least 30 minutes. If your cookies are still soft trying chilling them if needed.
You can but the texture of the cookies will change and be chewier. Quick oats are best to use! If you have rolled oats, simply pulse them in a blender a few times.
You must follow the boiling time exactly or your no bake cookies will turn out hard and crumbly. Make sure to not overcook them.
Yes! Cool completely then place in a freezer safe storage container or bag and store up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
If you love peanut butter and chocolate, try my peanut butter blossoms, chocolate peanut butter fudge and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
More No-Bake Treats
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No Bake Cookie Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter , see notes
- ½ cup milk
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups Quick 1 minute oats , see notes
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.
- Combine the sugar, butter, milk and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium-heat. Bring to a boil (not simmer). Once it reaches a boil, cook for an additional 1 1/2 minutes and then immediately remove from heat.
- Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Add in the oats and a pinch of salt. Stir until well coated.
- Drop batter by the spoonful onto the lined pan. Let cool until set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Chocolate, Chocolate Cookies, Cookies, Freezer-Friendly, No-Bake, Oatmeal Cookies
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
I just made these using another recipe and the boil time was 60 seconds which I timed and the cookies were horribly soft. I’ve read other recipes that go up to three minutes. How do you know exactly what the timing should be? Also if anyone makes these and they come out soft I rocked my brain trying to figure out how I could fix them so I could stack them on a cookie tray and I ended up coding the bottoms and chocolate And it was perfect.
I like to boil mine for 1.5 minutes. I do prefer mine on the softer side. Thanks for the tip on stacking :)
This was my first time making no bakes. I measured 1 cup of peanut butter. they came out perfect!!the right amount of dryness and moisture.
I made these on a hot summer day when I wanted a homemade dessert without turning the oven on. I used Quaker organic instant oatmeal packets because that’s what I had in the house! I also put the trays of cookies directly in the fridge to harden since it was hot in my kitchen. They turned out delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
That is great to hear! I am so glad that you loved it!
these are the perfect little treat at the end of the day when I dont want to take forever making something sweet, but I need to satisfy the craving! thank you so much for sharing this recipe
So glad you enjoyed the no bake cookies!
These turned out perfect! Tasted amazing too. A keeper recipe.
I love this recipe. I have made this so many times and it always turns out perfect. Sometimes, I have swapped out the peanut butter for Nutella and they are incredible.
Can I reduce the sugar to half cup?
I haven’t tried, but let us know how it goes!