Classic No Bake Cookies

Classic No Bake Cookies! The best chocolate peanut butter oatmeal no bake cookie recipe. Includes step-by-step pics to help you make perfect cookies.

Rows of no bake cookies on parchment paper.

I love cookies! Quick cookies, not-so-quick-but-super-delicious-cookies – I love them all!

These classic no bake cookies were one of the first cookies that I learned to make. The combination of the chocolate and peanut butter is crazy good!

Since they’re no bake, they’re also really easy to make. I’ve included step-by-step photos and plenty of tips below to help you make perfect cookies.

Ingredients and substitutions

Granulated sugar
Milk – Anything from skim to whole milk will work.
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Butter – I use salted butter. If you’re using unsalted butter, add a couple of pinches of salt.
Peanut butter – Not natural peanut butter. Regular creamy peanut butter works well in this recipe.
Vanilla extract
Old-fashioned oats – You can substitute quick-cooking oats if you prefer.

How to make no bake cookies

Cocoa powder milk and sugar in a saucepan.

Step 1 Begin by whisking the sugar, milk, and cocoa powder together before heating.

Butter and chocolate mixture in a saucepan.

Step 2 Add the butter.

Step 3 Heat over medium-low heat, stirring regularly.

TOP TIP>> Don’t crank the heat! Heating the mixture up too quickly can cause dry, crumbly cookies.

Boiled milk and cocoa powder mixture in a saucepan.

Step 4 Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring regularly.

Step 5 Once at a rapid or rolling boil, boil for exactly 1 minute.

Step 6 Remove from heat.

Peanut butter and vanilla on top of chocolate mixture in a saucepan.

Step 7 Stir in vanilla and peanut butter until well-combined.

Step 8 Add the oats, and stir to incorporate them.

No bake cookie mixture in a measuring spoon.

Step 9 Drop 2 tablespoon scoops of the cookie mixture onto the prepared baking sheets.

TOP TIP>> You can use a cookie scoop or a measuring spoon to portion the cookie mixture. Using either a cookie scoop or a measuring spoon will help give you evenly-sized cookies

No bake cookies cooling on a piece of parchment paper.

Step 10 Let cool to room temperature, and then you can chill the cookies.

FAQs

Here are some tips and answers to frequently asked questions to help you make perfect no bake cookies!

What is a rolling boil?

A rolling boil is where the mixture is rapidly boiling and bubbles are rapidly forming and popping

How should I store the cookies?

You can store the cookies either at room temperature or in the fridge. The cookies will keep for about 2-3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the refrigerator. If your kitchen is warm, I recommend storing in the fridge. Either way, the cookies should be stored in an airtight container.

Can you freeze no bake cookies?

You can! Let the cookies cool to room temperature. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container. If placing more than one layer in the container, place a piece of wax paper in between the layers. Seal and freeze.

Can you use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

Yes, you can use an equal amount of quick oats. The cookies will have a slightly softer texture with the quick oats.

Why are my no bake cookies dry or crumbly?

If the milk/cocoa powder mixture boils for longer than 1 minute, it can cook down too much, which will cause dry or crumbly cookies.

Why don’t my no bake cookies set up?

If the cookies don’t set up, the mixture may not have come to a full rolling boil or cooked long enough. If the cookies aren’t setting up properly, you can place them in the refrigerator or in the freezer to help firm them up.

More no bake cookie recipes!

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5 from 8 votes