Name: No-Bake Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1.75 cups white sugar; 0.5 cup butter; 0.5 cup milk; 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 0.5 cup crunchy peanut butter; 3 cups quick-cooking oats; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; waxed paper

Cook Time: 5 minutes

This classic no-bake cookie recipe is chewy, chocolaty, and simply irresistible its the perfect quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Heres a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions for making these delicious no-bake cookies:

No-Bake Cookie Ingredients

1 cups white sugar
cup butter
cup milk
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
cup crunchy peanut butter (smooth peanut butter can be used as well)
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Wax paper for cooling

How to Make No-Bake Cookies

Follow these simple steps to make your no-bake cookies:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Gather all of your ingredients and have them ready for cooking.

Step 2: Boil the Sugar, Butter, Milk, and Cocoa

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder. Stir often while bringing the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, continue to cook for exactly 1 minutes.

Step 3: Remove from Heat and Stir in Peanut Butter

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the peanut butter to the hot mixture and stir until it is completely melted and smooth.

Step 4: Add Oats and Vanilla

Stir in the oats and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.

Step 5: Drop the Mixture onto Wax Paper

Using a teaspoon, drop spoonfuls of the cookie mixture onto a sheet of wax paper. Make sure to space them out evenly.

Step 6: Let the Cookies Cool and Harden

Allow the cookies to cool completely until they have hardened. This will take about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

How to Store No-Bake Cookies

Once the cookies have cooled and set, store them in an airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you prefer a longer shelf life, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For easier storage, place wax paper between layers of cookies to prevent sticking.

Can You Freeze No-Bake Cookies?

Yes, these cookies freeze well! To freeze them, place the cookies on a baking sheet and freeze for a few hours or overnight. After that, transfer them to a freezer-safe and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. When youre ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.

Nutrition Information

Each serving of this recipe contains:

Calories: 110
Total Fat: 5g (6% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat: 2g (11% Daily Value)
Cholesterol: 7mg (2% Daily Value)
Sodium: 38mg (2% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrates: 16g (6% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% Daily Value)
Total Sugars: 10g
Protein: 2g (4% Daily Value)
Calcium: 11mg (1% Daily Value)
Iron: 0mg (2% Daily Value)
Potassium: 67mg (1% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amounts are based on available nutrient data.

No-Bake Cookies Recipe

Comments

JILLENA

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

My family and friends love this cookies. I do have problems with them setting. The last time I made them, I used a candy thermometer to make sure that I boiled them long enough. I had to boil the mixture about 2.5 minutes for the temperature to reach the soft ball stage. The cookies set perfectly.

nicksprincess

12/04/2007 08:08:17 PM

I just made this recipe...I did add a slight amount more oatmeal than called for because it seemed like it should have been a little thicker. Also, I added the vanilla into the wet stuff way before adding the PB and oats. Also--I didn't time it. Apparently people have a very difficult time with this step--I have no idea why! I brought it to a rolling boil, stirred it a little, and then took it off the heat after I thought a couple minutes passed. I am sure I cooked it longer than the 90 seconds posted. Lastly, I stirred in the PB after turning the heat off and stirred the PB to let it completely melt before adding the oats. After dropping on wax paper, I waited an hour, and they were PERFECT!! DEEEEEELICIOUS!

Alice Shockley

12/20/2005 07:31:42 AM

This is one of the old favorites. The key is to boil exactly one minute from the time it hits a rolling boil, then remove from the heat and to stir constantly while it boils. Excellent!

patty

08/19/2024 07:03:11 PM

SUCCESS!! I’ve tried for years to make these and could never get them to set. I had used my old fashioned oats before. This time I used quick cook oats. And I let it come to a rolling boil THEN started my timer for 1 1/2 minutes stirring frequently. I then removed it from the burner and added remaining ingredients and it worked!! I’m so happy! These are my favorite cookies!

SadMiso4971

02/19/2023 08:21:29 PM

Was a huge favorite growing up. Saw this recipe and knew I had to try making some. Only things I did different was adding an extra cup of oatmeal and used creamy peanut butter. Turned out great. Used an 8X8 inch cake pan. Will definitely be making more in the near future. Thanks for the recipe!

Jennifer Mitchell

08/26/2023 12:24:53 AM

OMG this was so good!

Jrkinser

12/28/2024 01:02:45 AM

This has always been my favorite cookie (I rarely share!). I leave out the PB, use Dutch cocoa and use regular old fashioned oats as I like the texture. Later I want to try adding bourbon or rum to the oats. Think you could add a lot of different flavorings that would make this cookie pop.

SpiffyOrzo2769

11/08/2023 01:36:23 AM

We have used this recipe many times and finally perfected it for our non dairy daughter. We use coconut oil and almond chocolate milk. We don't use peanut butter and they turn out perfect. The coconut oil sets up faster and stay softer longer.

ginabina

08/19/2020 12:54:17 AM

Very good! Couldn’t handle that much sugar though. Did one cup second time I made it and that was still too sweet. 3/4 cup was just right!

GoldBasil9953

02/08/2023 05:43:42 PM

ive made these for decades except i use 2 cups of sugar. Its a great basic recipe. Use crunchy or smooth peanut butter. Old fashioned oats will make them chewier if you prefer that, you can add whatever you want to it. Dried fruit, raisins, other chopped nuts, anything you get the whim to add. A couple packages of the flavored microwave oatmeal substituted for and equal amount of the other can make a new twist too. We tried 2 packs of apple cinnamon once and it was pretty good. Chopped candied pecans mixed in are REAL good. It's a fun recipe to play with, especially if you have a little one that always wants to do something in the kitchen.

Anbird

04/07/2020 03:33:09 PM

Changes: 1 1/2 cups sugar 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter 3 1/4 cup oats Boiled for 2 mins

Susan

08/24/2025 03:03:23 AM

Sounds like moms recipe, except no peanut butter. They would never last more than 3 days. I wish I could have them again, but I'm diabetic and they don't work well with atifical sweetener. Oh well.

Joe Kinkead

07/27/2025 06:39:20 PM

Perfection and easy

Lisa Bennett McCrary

05/30/2025 07:20:13 PM

I've been making these cookies since I was a teenager. Love them!!

JollyStove6114

05/06/2025 03:48:59 PM

By far the best no-bake cookie recipe I've ever made! My entire family loved these cookies! I made these again for a large family get together and the cookies were gone within 10 minutes!

PerkyBeef3964

05/03/2025 04:59:18 PM

When it comes to making sweet treats I always find a way to mess them up. This recipe is delicious and easy to follow. And no bake cookies are a fond memory from my childhood.