Classic No Bake 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.
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Table of Contents
- About Classic No Bake Cookies
- Do no bake cookies need to be refrigerated?
- How long are no bake cookies good for?
- Can you freeze no bake cookies?
- Can you use old fashioned oats instead of quick oats?
- Notes & tips for these easy no bake cookies
- More fun cookie recipes
- How do you make no bake cookies?
- Recipe Details
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.
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!
Classic No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats, use more or less as desired
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with wax paper, then set nearby.
- Melt butter in a saucepan 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 a 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 a 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
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.
