It seems like these classic, chocolate no-bake cookies have fallen out of fashion since my childhood during the 80’s and 90’s.
Well, I’m doing my part to contribute to their revival in popularity, because while no-bakes are definitely easy and familiar, they’re also incredibly delicious every single time you make them!
There is something to be said for that, you know. There are certain cookie recipes that we make again and again, and this chocolate no-bake cookies recipe is one of them.
You may be familiar with my famous peanut butter no-bake cookies (well, they’re famous in my house), which are also delicious in their own way.
What can I say, I am truly a fan of old-fashioned no-bake cookies like these. They just never get old for me.
The thing with making these type of no-bake cookies is that your results may vary. It’s really important to pay attention to the the boil-time, and to try to stick to what it says in the recipe for best results.
That’s not to say it’s hard to get it right, because it’s really not, just don’t over or under boil it.
Got it? Good. :)
When I was a kid, I associated chocolate no-bake cookies like this with community bake sales. It’s funny when I think back to those bake sale tables, because there were usually two or three different versions of no-bake cookies, each individually wrapped in plastic baggies.
The other popular bake sale fare of the day were Rice Krispies Treats!
If you haven’t had chocolate no-bake cookies in years, I invite you take a stroll down memory lane and try this great recipe. I think you’ll find that these cookies taste even better than you remembered.
Get the printable recipe below, and be sure to pin these yummy chocolate no-bake cookies to your favorite dessert recipes board on Pinterest!
Psst… I also make the best chocolate chip cookies EVER. Don’t miss those!
Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1 stick of butter
- ½ cup milk 2% or whole
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 ½ cups quick oats
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk. Bring to a rapid boil and boil for 2 minutes stirring continuously . Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and the peanut butter. Stir in the oats until blended then immediately drop by tablespoons onto waxed paper. Let cool until set.
15 Comments on “Chocolate No-Bake Cookies”
Crissy, How funny that you should do the chocolate no bake cookies. I just made these the other night for hubby. He has a Sweet Tooth, Junkie-haha. I can’t get them in the refrigerator before he’s eating them out of the pot. I actually mixed the sugar and the cocoa together before adding it to the pot. A friend gave me the recipe about 25 years ago.
–For the person who wanted to know if you could use Splenda instead of Sugar. No, I actually tried it that way for the very fact that my husband had to cut back on his “sugar”. The cookies didn’t hold up and also the taste is off. Neither one of us liked them. I ended up throwing them out.
Lost my old recipe, thanks for yours. Made these all the time for my kids when we were in NC. Almost had all the neighborhood kids living at my house. They could smell food for four blocks. Every day made complete dinners with dessert, while other kids had cereal or PB&J sandwiches for dinner at their homes. Loved no-bake recipes in summer when temps were over 95 & humid.
My family loves no bake cookies, unfortunately mine were always hit or miss, I never knew if the cookies were going to be crumbly or eat them with a spoon. This recipe nailed it! I waited until a sunny day and followed the directions exactly as written. PERFECT NO BAKES COOKIES! I’m doing a happy dance? ???
I too grew up with no bakes. When I go home to visit my family we always make them. My 19 year old is now making
them. They are still a family favorite. My husband is the only person that doesnt like them. He doesn’t know what he’s missing!
Can you use chunky peanut butter?
I followed this recipe exactly how it is written, yet mine won’t harden the way no bakes I’ve made in the past have. They’re still delicious! Just sticky and softer than what I’m used to. Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that I used natural PB? (That’s all we had)
Hey Kara, I think it could definitely be the fact that you used the natural peanut butter. It always seems a little oilier to me? With that said, these cookies don’t get “hard”, but they should also not be sticky to the touch. Might want to try it again with the regular peanut butter if you like the flavor! :) Thanks for commenting, and I love your name! It’s my little girl’s name!
can you use natural peanut butter???
Yummy, my sister and I use to make these on Friday nights. First time I’ve ever made them!!!!!!!
My husband isn’t crazy about PB but he LIKES THESE, he swears he taste’s coconut
GO PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
Can these be made with Splenda instead of the sugar? I am a diabetic and need to cut the sugar.
Diane, my mother used to make a version of this recipe without peanut butter as well.
2 c sugar
1/2 c milk
1/2 c cocoa
Bring to a rollout boil and add to
3 c oats
1 teas vanilla
Pinch of salt
Let stand, then put by teaspoon full on wax paper..
(Not intended to hijack the original post)
is there butter?
Oops, sorry Jennifer! Yes, 1 stick of butter.
Please, my mom made choc no bake cookies when we were kids but she left out the peanut butter. While I like them
plenty fine with the peanut butter, I have been longing for the just choc version for a while now. See, my mom passed away in July 2010, and I think the longing has to do as much with really missing her friendship and guidance as with wanting the taste of those cookies. So, Chrissy, will you please let me know what, if any, adjustments I might need to make to the dry ingredients. I’d be greatful for your response. Thanks so much, Diane Z.
Can I use margarine in this recipe instead of butter?