Description
Indulgent classic no-bake chocolate peanut butter cookies merge rich cocoa with creamy peanut butter in a quick, delightful treat. Perfectly balanced sweetness and texture make these irresistible cookies a guaranteed crowd-pleaser you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
Sugar and Baking Components:
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously to create a smooth, even mixture.
- Allow the chocolate base to reach a gentle boil, maintaining constant stirring for 1-2 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture slightly thickens.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately incorporate peanut butter and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture becomes a rich, glossy chocolate-peanut butter emulsion.
- Gently fold quick oats into the warm chocolate mixture, ensuring each oat is thoroughly coated and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Utilize a spoon or cookie scoop to transfer dollops of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, shaping them into uniform rounds or desired shapes.
- Let the cookies rest at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes, allowing them to naturally firm up and develop a satisfying chewy texture.
- Optional: Accelerate the setting process by placing the cookies in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes if a firmer consistency is preferred.
- Once set, indulge in these delectable no-bake treats that perfectly balance the richness of chocolate with the nutty depth of peanut butter.
Notes
- Swap traditional peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free alternative that accommodates allergies while maintaining the rich, creamy texture.
- Use gluten-free rolled oats to transform this classic recipe into a celiac-friendly dessert that everyone can enjoy without compromising taste or texture.
- Control the sweetness by reducing sugar or substituting with honey or maple syrup for a more natural, less processed sweetener profile that enhances the cookie’s depth.
- Elevate the cookies’ nutritional value by adding chia seeds or ground flaxseed, boosting omega-3 content and creating a subtle nutty undertone to the chocolate-peanut butter combination.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg