This no bake cookies recipe is a classic your family will love! Easy enough that kids can make it, everyone will appreciate a no-bake cookie that is ready to eat in just minutes!
I recently started a new job, which has really wrecked my schedule. Being in the office all day is far different from being at home all day, and I find myself sort of missing the solitude of my quiet home-alone hours.
I also find myself missing the desire to make dinner. Or make anything, really. I would just prefer someone serve it to me on a silver platter.
I’ve been racking my brain for meals and desserts that are even faster, even cheaper, and even easier than what I’ve done in the past.
And, with summer right around the corner, I am returning to my no-bake roots. Because some days, NOT turning on the oven is my favorite thing.
It’s right behind NOT listening to the radio. Silence is often my favorite station.
When I was a kid, we used to make this no-bake cookies recipe all the time. It was a staple. We practically had the recipe memorized, that’s how often we made it.
Can you blame us? We wanted a treat, and we wanted it quickly, and we didn’t want mom to yell at us about cleaning up a bunch of dishes.
Not to mention, we were usually making these during commercial breaks. *ahem*
My kids know nothing about doing things during commercial breaks. I don’t think they’ve watched a live television program ever in their lives. And don’t even get me started about telephone books, and rotary telephones, and encyclopedias, and hand-cranked pencil sharpeners.
They know nothing about any of these things.
But you know what they do know? They know all about no-bake cookies. What can I say? Some things are just timeless.
Allow me to share a few notes on no-bakes I have learned over the years.
First, it is easy to adjust the texture of these cookies by adding more oats or coconut. (Chopped walnuts also work well.) But taking oats away is a different issue, so tread carefully. This batch turned out a touch dry, which frankly doesn’t bother me one bit, but I know some people prefer a chewy treat.
Second, I used to always drop these on wax paper, and inevitably I would find myself eating a cookie with a little wax paper glued to the bottom, that wouldn’t come off until the cookie warmed up a bit. So, if you’re not into eating wax paper, may I suggest using parchment paper? A silicone mat also works.
My favorite way is actually to take the non-stick spray to a mini muffin pan, and drop my spoonfuls in there. The cookies don’t come out with that classic mounded shape, but I’ve never heard one complaint about that.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, prepare for this to disappear in record time. I have literally never in my life seen a no-bake cookie last more than 24 hours. Or even close to 24 hours. If you’ve got a houseful to feed, be sure to make them small!
Then I suggest making your kids make the cookies, and tell them to bring you a couple on a silver platter while you take your shoes off and relax!
No-Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups quick oats
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- In a sauce pan, melt butter. Add sugar, cocoa powder, and milk, and mix to combine. Bring to a boil, and boil 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir in oats and coconut, mixing until well combined.
- Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat. Chill in the fridge for about an hour.
Notes
I make these in a bar fashion. I add chopped walnuts and pour them into a large cookie sheet,lined with parchment paper. I then spread this across the pan while it is still hot. I then cover w PressnPeal after it cools a bit. Making these by spoonfuls just got to be too much so I opted for the bars. These cookies be so versatile. Try cranberries,etc…
My cookie sheet is about an inch deep and is about 18×20.