This recipe is a tried and true classic! Quick-cooking oats are mixed with a melted chocolate peanut butter sauce to make these simple and tasty cookies.

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The best recipe for no bake cookies

About Classic No Bake Cookies

Everyone has a favorite dessert they absolutely have to make during the holiday season, and for me, that dessert is the ugly duckling of the cookie world:

The classic no bake cookie recipe.

But while these cookies might not be winning any beauty contests, there’s something still something about them that manages to be rich and delicious.

This is why I like to make them when we have company coming, because otherwise, I’ll end up eating the entire batch by myself.

How to make no bake cookies.

Do no bake cookies need to be refrigerated?

No, no bake cookies do not need to be refrigerated. They are completely shelf stable.

How long are no bake cookies good for?

Once baked, these no bake cookies will remain good in a sealed container for up to two to three weeks.

Can you freeze no bake cookies?

Yes, you absolutely can freeze these cookies!

For best results, place the cookies on a plate or cookie sheet, not touching, and chill for about two hours.

Once frozen, transfer cookies to a sealed container or Ziploc bag. Cookies can be frozen for about three months.

Can you use old fashioned oats instead of quick oats?

Yes, you can substitute old fashioned oats for an equal amount of quick cooking oats in this recipe. The only real difference between the oats is the texture, and you’ll find fans for both types of oats. There is no wrong answer, but if you already know you prefer a certain type of oat, stick with that for this recipe.

Notes & tips for these easy no bake cookies

  • No bake cookies have been around for a long time, so it probably comes as no surprise that there are different names for them. I’ve heard them called quick cookies,  fudgies, peanut butter oatmeal cookies, and plenty of other names I can’t even remember. If you have a special name for these cookies, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
  • Some readers have said they add 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to this recipe. If you love coconut, give it a try and let me know what you think!

More fun cookie recipes

How do you make no bake cookies?

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – Melt butter in a saucepan.

Step 2 – Add sugar, milk, and cocoa powder, then bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute.

Step 3 – Remove saucepan from heat and add vanilla and peanut butter. Stir until smooth.

Step 4 – In a large bowl, add quick cooking oats. Pour the chocolate mixture on top, then stir until the oats are coated.

Step 5 – Using a 1 teaspoon (or up to 1 tablespoon) cookie scoop, scoop out cookie mix and place it on a wax-covered baking sheet. Repeat this step until all of the cookie mix has been used.

Step 6 – Let cookies cool and dry for at least 30 minutes.

Step 7 – Enjoy!

Recipe Details

The best recipe for no bake cookies
4.67 from 21 votes

Classic No Bake Cookies

5 minutes prep + 5 minutes cook + 1 hour Cooling Time
183 kcal
Yields: 20 cookies
This recipe is a tried and true classic! Quick-cooking oats are mixed with a melted chocolate peanut butter sauce to make these simple and tasty cookies.

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Line a large baking sheet with wax paper, then set nearby.
  • Melt butter in a saucepanĀ over medium heat.
  • Add granulated sugar, milk, and cocoa powder to saucepan. Bring to a boil and let cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
  • Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Pour quick-cooking oats into aĀ 13 quart mixing bowl (or other large mixing bowl of your choice) then pour chocolate mixture on top. Use a spatula to stir until oats are completely coated.
  • Scoop out 1 tablespoon (or up to 2 tablespoons) of cookie mix (I used aĀ cookie scoop) and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat this step until all no bake cookies have been formed.
  • Let cookies cool at least 30 minutes before eating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 87mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 278IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg

I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.

Author: Chrisy

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Recipe Rating




40 comments

    • Rita
    • 5 stars

    I remember eating these in elementary school. They were my favorite and the sweet lunch lady gave me extra to take home. I see these and remember Janie. Will have to make these.

    • Cindy

    My husband calls these CHOCOLATE DREAMS.
    I do not do step #5 because you already add the oats to the chocolate mixture in step #4. Also, step #6 says use 1 teaspoon of mixture per cookie but there is no way you can make them that small. I use about 2 Tablespoons per cookie and the recipe still makes 20 cookies. I do like adding 1/2 cup coconut and use about 3 cups of oats not 2 1/2.

    • Brandie

    Rock n roll cookies šŸ˜

    • Billi-Jean Reeve

    When I was growing up, these were mudballs, but I’ve heard them called more than 50 different names. (Seriously, I have a list!!)

    • Leanne Renaud

    We have made these forever and they are a family favorite. We don’t use the peanut butter. I find that you need to let them sit for a minute or two after you add the oats then spoon them out for a better consistency. We have always called them “Sh$t cookies” for obvious reasons.

    • Debbie

    My husband calls them Freezer Cookies as I’m guessing their Mom put them in the freezer to get firm.

    • Melissa
    • 4 stars

    My mom got this recipe back in the 50’s from a cook who worked at the diner in Whitewood, SD. Her name was Lettie and we’ve always called them Lettie’s No Bake Cookies. šŸ˜‹

    • Debbie

    My family calls them sticky cookies. The reason- mom let us girls make them when we were pretty young. They never seemed to set up. So we called them sticky cookies. Now that I’m older and think back we probably ate them before they had a chance to set up. LOL

    • Jeannene

    These are hubby favorite cookie. I’ve been making them since I was real young. As a child growing up we called them Missouri cookies. I don’t know why exactly. I just put every thing but pb,van,and oats in a pan and let it boil for a minute per batch. Then add the rest. Yum yum