No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookies
No bake cookies will always and forever remind me of my mom, who made tons of them when my brother and I were teenagers — probably because they were super easy, could be made with pantry staples, and were perfect for that time between extra-curriculars and dinner. Plus, they included both cocoa and peanut butter, which is basically one of the best combinations ever. Just like the cookies of my youth, the ones I’m sharing today are easy to make with just a few ingredients. They’re full of oats, and have a flavor almost like peanut butter brownies but with a texture that’s more like pecan sandies. The recipe is similar to the one my mom used, but with a little less sugar and a little more cocoa. I suggest using your favorite brands of cocoa and peanut butter in these – these ingredients give the most flavor to the cookies, so using something you like will make the difference! Lastly, because I can’t help myself, I drizzle these cookies with some extra peanut butter at the end.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups rolled oats (gluten-free, if needed)
For the peanut butter drizzle (optional):
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Special equipment:
1 Line a baking sheet with parchment and set to the side.
2 Make and mix the cookie base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder. Cook until the sugar and butter are melted, stirring to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, and then continue to boil for 1 minute.
Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl and stir in the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Stir in the rolled oats.
3 Scoop the cookies: Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop and place the cookie dough on the lined parchment baking sheet. If you don’t have a cookie scoop, use a tablespoon measure and scoop well-mounded tablespoons of dough for each cookie.
You can either leave them the shape of the scoop or shape them by gently rolling and flattening between your palms.
4 Make the peanut butter drizzle (optional): If you'd like to add the peanut butter drizzle, melt the peanut butter and coconut oil together in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir to combine, then drizzle over the cookies using a spoon.
Skip this drizzle if you're planning to pack up the cookies for eating on the go; the drizzle softens a little when the cookies are at room temperature, which can make them a little messy when eating on the go.
5 Refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up the cookies and set the drizzle. Transfer to an airtight container.
Cookies will keep for about a week at room temperature, or a month if refrigerated. If you added the peanut butter drizzle, keep refrigerated so the drizzle stays firm.