These Classic No-Bake Cookies only require a few simple ingredients and are incredibly easy to make. Loaded with peanut butter, oats, and cocoa powder, these cookies are perfect for an easy dessert!
Do you have a favorite cookie? One that you absolutely love and could probably eat the entire batch if you’re left alone with them? Besides a good chocolate chip cookie, I’ve always loved no-bake cookies.
Whenever we were kids and we wanted something sweet, my mom would whip up a batch of these cookies. And to be honest, we hardly ever waited for them to cool completely before we dug in.
Once I moved out on my own, I wanted to master making no-bake cookies. Several years ago, I found this recipe from All Recipes and over the years I’ve made a few small tweaks to it. I use a little more sugar and boil the recipe for a little less time, but these are still the same classic no-bake cookies everyone knows and loves.
One thing that I love about these cookies is how easy they are to make. You can prepare a batch of these in about 15-20 minutes, then all you have to do is wait for them to cool. This is one of my go-to dessert recipes when I’m short on time or just want something easy to make.
And the best part? You probably have everything on hand to make these right now! And even if you don’t, once you make a batch you’ll make sure to have everything on hand for next time. Trust me.
Before you get started making the cookies, I suggest getting all of your ingredients ready and measure them out. This will make the process go much smoother, and the quicker you get everything combined after the mixture has boiled the better the cookies will turn out.
To start, you’ll melt down some butter with sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. Once the mixture is melted down, you’ll bring it to a boil and allow it to boil for one minute.
Now here’s another important thing, set a timer for exactly 60 seconds once the mixture starts to boil. If you boil it too long, the no-bake cookies will turn out too dry and if you don’t boil it long enough they won’t set properly.
Once the 60 seconds is up, you’ll stir in some peanut butter, vanilla extract, and oats. And that my friends are how easy these cookies are to make.
In fact, I think that hardest part of making these cookies is waiting for them to cool.
Baking tips for classic no-bake cookies
- Make sure to gather your ingredients and measure everything out before you get started with these cookies, it will make the whole process much smoother.
- Be sure to set a timer for 60 seconds once the mixture comes to a rolling boil and remove it from the heat as soon as the timer goes off.
- If you find the cookies aren’t setting up properly or seem a little too wet after you’ve let them cool for about 20-30 minutes, place them in the refrigerator to help firm them up.
- ½ cup (115 grams) butter, cut into pieces
- 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- ¼ cup (20 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup (125 grams) creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups (300 grams) quick-cooking oats
- Before getting started, make sure to gather all of your ingredients and measure everything out. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place the butter, sugar, milk, and unsweetened cocoa powder in a saucepan and heat over medium heat, making sure to stir often until the butter is melted and everything is well combined. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and allow to boil for 60 seconds (make sure to set a timer!) stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat, and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until fully combined. Stir in the oats and mix until all of the oats are coated with the mixture and everything is well combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets (I like to use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop). Allow to cool for 20-30 minutes, serve, and enjoy!
Love no-bake recipes? Try these easy Peanut Butter Cup Pudding Pops next!
You can find all of my no-bake recipes here too.
SO YUMMY. Me and my fiance loved these so much!
So glad you both enjoyed the cookies, Samantha!
Can you line the cookie sheet with them mixture then cut as its cooled to make squares?
I haven’t actually tried it before, but I think it may work. If you do try it, I’d love to hear!
Yes, you can, it sets better in the refrigerator covered, though. I prefer them this way sometimes.
Yes! That’s the only way I’ve made them and stick them right in the freezer for a bit!
How long do you keep in freezer and then do you put in frige
You will need a cake pan will side also called a casserole dish. My grandma makes all kinds of bar stuff form cookies to breads.
No need for freezer in less u like hard cookies. If u just let Kool and eat they are very soft good for all ages and teeth or no teeth LoL .
I have been making these since I was a little girl with my aunt. And even though I know how to make them i was not really sure of the measurements and lost all my recipes. This by far is the closest I have come to the actual “”real” cookies we have been making for 50 plus years. Thank you so mush for bringing a little bit of “home” back into our lives. Many,many thanks to you!
I’m so happy to hear that, Donna! 🙂
I want to make these cookies but I only have regular old fashioned oats? Will they still turn out okay?
Quick oats are just smaller and work better in these cookies, but rolled oats will be fine too.
I followed the recipe exactly but my cookies
Will not set up no matter what. I put them in
the freezer but as soon as I take them out they
are just as soft as before I put them in could I warm everything back up and add more oats to see if that helps
Thanks
Patsy
Did you set your timer when the mixture came to a rolling boil (the top was fully covered with bubbles)? If you set it to early before it comes to a rolling boil, the cookies will not set properly. I’ve never tried reheating the mixture, so I’m not sure if that will help or not.
How much milk do u use for this recipe
You’ll need 1/2 cup for this recipe.
Try coconut instead of peanut butter. Yummy!!
As in coconut oil?
Hi everyone, has anyone replaced butter with olive oil?
Thanks,
Roxana
I wouldn’t suggest it for this recipe, Roxana.
I did because I didn’t have any butter and they are delicious and setting up just fine. I looked it up and said for every cup of butter use 3/4 cup of oil.
Did you use coconut oil or a different kind, Jessica? I’m glad to hear it worked well!
For those with nut allergies like me, I use Sunbutter, or one of the other non peanut butters on the market, just as good. Vicki.
Thanks for sharing, Vicki! I’m glad to hear these work great with Sunbutter as well.
I made these except left the peanut butter out due to nut allergies. They came out wonderfully and tasted delicious.
So glad you like the cookies, Kimberly! Thanks for sharing about the peanut butter too, that will be helpful for others who made need to do the same 🙂
How long will these cookies last ?
Hi, Connie! They’ll stay fresh for up to a week in an airtight container on the counter.
It’s like the old Tootsie Roll Pop commercial. How long will they last? Nobody knows! They are always gone before anyone can time it! 🙂
Haha, so true! 🙂
I halved the recipe and then halved it again to make a small batch. This tasted absolutely delicious. Thanks alot for making our task easy. Next time by the will of Almighty I shall add sliced almonds or peanuts or pistachios or mix them up! God Bless you!
Some sliced almonds or peanuts would be delicious in these too! So glad you enjoyed the cookies!
Chucky Peanut Butter works great.
I’ve made this recipe (or one very similar) for years. Sometimes it’s just the humidity that doesn’t allow them to set up nicely. You soon get use to ‘what it looks like’ when you’re boiling the cookies and know when to remove them from the heat. Soft or dry, they’re good.
I think you’re right about the humidity, Karen, I’ve noticed that as well. And yes, these are always delicious soft or dry 😉
Hey ,
I just wanted to chime in because for the longest time I use to have the same troubles with any type of fudge or cookie that gave similar direction. It didnt matter when I started timing, it never seemed to set up. Then I finally tried something that solved all my issues with this. I think it is partially because I use an electric stove. However while, I heat the sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa over medium heat, I stir continuously without stopping! Do not stop stirring the sugar mixture until it reaches a rolling boil on its own. And then STOP stirring and start timing 60 seconds. Works for me perfectly every time. 🙂
I tried these and they are far too sweet for my taste, has anyone tried reducing the sugar? Will they still firm up if I use 1-1/2 cups?
I haven’t tried reducing the sugar that much, so I’m not quite sure.
You can and I even used sweet and low same amount and it does the same it also works as well
I just made them with 1-1/2 cups of sugar and increased the cocoa a bit, just under 1/3 cup, and they’re still super sweet.
No-bake cookies are much sweeter than regular cookies 🙂 If you had success reducing the sugar by 1/2 cup, you may be able to reduce it some more. However, I haven’t tried reducing the sugar by that much, so I’m not sure well how the cookies would set up with less sugar.
I used 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of stevia I also add ground flaxseed with the oatmeal about 1/4 c.in the 3 cups of oatmeal I replace 1/4 of it with that so youhave less sugar and some health benefits of the flaxseed the cookies are delish I like them in the refrigerator 🙂 I hope this helps I substitute a lot with stevia I buy the bag for baking good luck
Thank you for sharing, DeAnna! That will be helpful for others who may want to make these cookies a bit healthier.
I use special dark chocolate cocoa.
I use Splenda Naturals baking sugar – it’s half sugar and stevia leaf – works great- everyone in my family loves them – even the adults who say they hate splenda
Thanks for sharing, Connie! 🙂
I first made these cookies in 1974. The recipe came from the Mulligan Stew Magazine that we got in elementary school. They were 4-4-3-2 cookies.
I’ve never heard of the magazine or the 4-4-3-2 name, I’ll have to look that up! Thanks for sharing, Gail!
I remember that magazine and the 4432, I got the recipe from there too!
I need to make 200! Should I do smaller batches or all at once? Can you freeze them? Thanks!
I would just make one batch at a time, if you try to make it all at once the cookies probably won’t set up properly. If you make them a little smaller, you can probably get about 40 or so cookies in a batch though. I haven’t tried freezing these either, but I imagine that they’d freeze fine.
you can make a double batch, i do it all the time and they turn out great! also yes you can freeze them. there really good cold too!
Thanks for sharing, Rhonda! I’m glad to hear the double batch works out great too!
My mother made these cookies for years. Her recipe was called boiled cookies, known by some in the neighborhood as “cow piles”. My mother passed away 2012 at the age of 92 years.
My mother made these for years too, Joan. I’ve also never heard them called cow pile cookies before, that’s so funny! 🙂
My kids have called them cow pies since they were lil bitty lol
So funny, Colleen!
In Maine we call them cow flats
So funny, Brenda! I love hearing the different names these cookies go by 🙂
In Tennessee we call them “Cow Patties” Lol. They are also delicious made with the silk almond milk & if u like Hazel nut flavor ITS AWESOME AS WELL.😋
So funny, Donna! I’ve never tried hazelnut flavored milk in these before, but it sounds fantastic!
Can you use alternative milk? Like almond milk in substitution for real milk? What about coconut oil in substitution for butter? Has anyone tried these two options??
I haven’t tried almond milk yet, but I think it would work. I’ve used anything from skim to regular milk and they work fine too. As for the coconut oil, I’m honestly not sure. I’ve only ever made these cookies with butter.
My question was going to be can u use 1% milk in ?
I’ve used 2% and skim milk, so I think that should be fine!
I have used coffe creamers the flavor is great and mix well with everything went less on sugar because cream is sweet hazelnut..amaretto my favorite
I’ve never tried coffee creamer, but I love that idea Carolyn!
Can the sugar be substituted for coconut sugar?
I haven’t tried coconut sugar yet, so I’m not quite sure.
Heather, how did the coconut sugar work out? How much did you use?
Thanks
I’m sure it IS awesome as is. However, people’s diet restrictions don’t always allow that. So while I will use dairy free milk and dairy/soy free vegan butter so that my daughter can enjoy them, I of course will not judge the result.
I know some readers have had success using dairy-free milk, Julia. I’d love to hear how they turn out with the vegan butter! 🙂
I made these and mine wouldn’t set up!!
Sorry to hear that, Jillian. No-bake cookies can be a little tricky the first time or two and even small things like humidity can affect whether or not they set up.
If your cookies didn’t set up it could be because the mixture did not boil long enough. I always set my timer once the mixture comes to a rolling boil (when the top is completely covered in bubbles). Did you do that? If so, then you may want to try cooking the mixture for up to 30 seconds longer if you try them again. If they’re partially setting up, but not all the way, you can refrigerate them and that should help.
Your school lunch may have a recipe for larger quantities of cookie sizes as here in our district and surrounding districts use this recipe as treats for the kids on special occasions.
That’s a wonderful idea if someone is needing to make a larger batch! Thanks for sharing, Carol 🙂
These were an exciting part of my childhood. My grandmother made them, then my mother and now all of my siblings and cousins are carrying on the tradition. We make these without the peanut butter and they are wonderful warm or cold, hard or soft. They are our comfort food!
I love to hear about other’s family traditions with these cookies, Gayle! My mom used to make them without peanut butter sometimes too, they are delicious that way too 🙂
Best no bakes I’ve had so far! I used flax milk and it worked just fine 🙂 any milk substitute should
So happy to hear that, Madeline! Thanks for sharing about the flax milk too, glad to know it worked great 🙂
I use to make these kind of cookies back in the 80s for my kids after school they loved them I still make them its fast, easy and so good
These are definitely a great after school treat! I love how fast and easy they are too 🙂
I have used a very similar recipe for years now! The only thing I do different is I use 1 cup of peanut butter and sometimes even add another spoon full on top 🙂 We love peanut butter in my family, and I love how creamy the extra peanut butter makes them! Great recipe!
I need to try adding more peanut butter next time I make a batch, Megan! We love peanut butter around here too 🙂
Good to know about adding more peanut butter. I love no bakes but this recipe was way too sweet for me. More peanut butter is just what it needs.
We used to call these “grandmas favorit cookies” growing up. I lost my copy of the recipe and was searching for one online and stumbled upon yours. We liked to make them with half oats/half coconut. Can’t wait to make them!
Love that name for these cookies, Hilary! I’ve heard of using coconut in them, but I haven’t tried it before. I’m thinking I may need to try it next time I make a batch though. Hope you enjoy the cookies!
My sweet mom simply called these yummy cookies, “Fudgies”. Our favorites growing up and the first “sweet” my mom taught me to make. A favorite with my kiddo’s, as well. I sometimes use Jif crunchy, which add another dimension to the texture and flavor. 🙂
Love that nickname, Cindy! I need to try these with crunchy peanut butter sometime, I think it would be great as well!
My friends and I love this recipe. So easy 🙂
So glad everyone loves the cookie, Abbie! They’re one of my favorites.
Wow! These cookies are delicious! So easy! My mom made these. I thought they’d be so hard to make. Thanks for tip about measuring beforhand and the timer. I can’t wait to make them again.
I’m glad you liked the cookies, Holli! I make these all the time! 🙂
I have made these cookies for years! They are very temperature sensitive. Any humidity or cooking over the 60 seconds will make them not set properly. I don’t use a cookie sheet to put them on because the metal pan holds heat and makes them take longer to cool. I put wax paper directly on my counter top and spoon them onto that. Even if your kitchen is warm your counter top is cool so it works perfectly!
I’ve noticed this with the humidity as well, Barbie. I live in Arkansas where it gets very humid during the summer! Thanks for the tip about the cookie sheet, I’ll sometimes use the countertop as well just to make it easier. 🙂
The sugar is considered a liquid ingredient and there is oil in the peanut butter and butter so it’s important to use real butter, NOT margarine to keep the oil % low enough that the cookies will set up. If you’re having trouble then try reducing the amount of sugar slightly. You have to stir the mixture constantly when going for a rolling boil. Then after 60 seconds move the pan off the heat, stir in the vanilla and peanut butter until fully melted. If you like the taste of cocoa powder like me then now is your chance to stir in a few more spoonfuls. OR you can leave out cocoa completely to get a peanut butter no bake cookie. Last step is stirring in the oats then you’re ready to spoon out some cookies.
I prefer to use butter in these cookies, but I’ve used margarine a few times and they set up fine.
I made these using ur measurements and they aren’t like I remembered at all,so I found my grandmas recipes and they came out perfect ,I figured out what was wrong ,ur recipe called for 3 cups of oats for a half recipe when it should be 1 1/2 cups of oats and also add 1/8tsp of salt,they come out smoother and u can taste the peanut butter a lot more. I’m not knocking ur recipe at all I just like less oats .
Hi, Eileen! I’m not quite sure what you mean by 3 cups of oats for a half recipe?
I made these tonight and they turned out extremely dry. I had some left in the pan so I had a couple teaspoons of milk. There was enough mixture remaining to make like 6 cookies. They were perfect. Any suggestions what I did wrong in the orginal process?
If they came out to dry, the mixture likely boiled too long. Did you set your timer as soon as it came to a rolling boil and remove it from the heat after 60 seconds?
These cookies sound and look so amazing. My daughters school cafeteria made these frequently !! They were such a treat!!
Thank you, Connie! Your daughter is so lucky, I wish my school made these growing up 🙂
I didn’t like them. They set up nice and whatnot but I felt I needed more “fudginess” … I may use evap milk next time… maybe the sugar I use (raw unbleached) who knows. It was sweet enough but not fudgy
Also do you chop your oats? While looking the in picture I do not see a single oat that is full?
These cookies aren’t meant to be fudgy, they’re supposed to fully set. You can try boiling the mixture a little less longer, but the mixture will be pretty sticky. I also use quick oats (not rolled oats) and don’t chop them.
I add a half cup of karo syrup to the sugar and butter to make the cookies stay shiny.
Love these dang things. Mom used to make these when I was a kid. Gladd to come across this recipe. Thanks for your share. It’s heart wRming having these in my life.
My mom made them all the time too! Hope you enjoy the cookies, Ron.
Almond milk works great can’t tell the difference, I even used blue bonnet light margin super good and vegans can eat them also
Thanks for sharing, Laurie! 🙂
I love these cookies! I read above about using Karo syrup to make them shiny. Now, how can I make them more flat and round like your’s? I can’t seem to master that part!
I use a cookie scoop (1.5-2 tablespoons) to get them all even in size and then just flatten them down with the back of the scoop. You can use a spoon to kind of shape them while they’re still warm.
Should the cookies be stored in the refrigerator or just in a container at room temperature?
You can store them on the counter for up to 1 week.
Can you use sugar substitutes? I have just made 2 batches and they tasted awful. Had to throw them all away.
Sugar substitutes don’t work well in these cookies, Patsy. I suggest using actual sugar so they taste right and set properly.
Wow! These cookies were delicious! My husband and I made them for one of our family Christmas get togethers last weekend and they were a huge hit. We’ve tried a few other recipes before for these cookies and this one is best. We used skim milk because that’s what we had here, and we also stirred the butter, sugar, milk and cocoa powder mixture pretty much the whole time. Thanks for sharing this recipe Danielle!
-Tammy W.
I’m so glad everyone loved the cookies, Tammy! I’ve tried a few no-bake recipes as well and this one has always been my favorite 🙂
Do u suppose I could use chocolate milk instead of white milk? It’s all I have on hand. Thank you.
I haven’t tried it yet, but I think it would work. I’ve used skim, 2%, and whole milk and they’ve always turned out fine.
I made these with my daughter on a snow day. We had all the ingredients we needed in the pantry. They were absolutely delicious! I halfed the recipe and it still made a good amount! We will make these again!
These are definitely perfect for a snowy day, Kate! I’m so glad you liked them! 🙂
Perfect!
Glad you liked the cookies, Vanessa!
I made these but instead of cocoa powder i used shakeology… For anyone who also has this in their home and used 1 1/2 cup sugar and natural pb just a healthier option! These were my favorite as a kid and I’m so glad i found this recipe to make it again just healthier
Thanks for sharing about the substitutions, Chantey! I’m glad to hear they turned out great!
Yum! My husband and I made these tonight. The recipe is fast, fun and easy. Thank you for the delicious recipe!
I’m glad you both liked the cookies, Cassandra!
I was taught to not use tub margarine with these cookies because they will not set up. Stick only.
Hi Danielle,
Cocoa powder is difficult to find in Singapore. Can I substitute the cocoa powder with Hersey’s chocolate syrup? Thank you.
I’ve never tried it in this recipe, but I don’t think that it would substitute for the cocoa powder very well.
My girlfriend used to.make these for me and ioved them. Unfortunately I llost her in 2012 and haven’t had them since. Brought back a lot of good memories I thought were lost
I’m sorry to hear that, Tom. I’m glad you enjoyed the cookies and that they brought back those good memories for you though 🙂
I’m out of parchment paper what should I do
You can use foil or wax paper instead. The parchment paper just makes it easier to clean up when you’re finished. You can just drop them on the cookie sheet too if you don’t have anything to line it with.
Thank you for your quick response
Can you use rice krispies instead of oatmeal?
I haven’t tried it before, so I’m not quite sure.
Terrible. Followed the recipe EXACTLY. Turned out all crumbly. What did I do wrong? Such a waste of ingredients.
It sounds like the mixture boiled too long. Did you boil the mixture for just 1 minute?
Yes. I set the timer on my iphone for 1 minute. I must have had the heat too high… 🙁
Did you have it on medium heat? If so, you may try slightly reducing the heat next time to see if that helps.
Hi Danielle – tried these again and didn’t have the heat so high and they turned out perfect. THANKS!!!
I’m so glad to hear that, Julie!
Hey Danielle!
I’m planning to whip these up this evening! I have everything except oats, and I’m thinking about using shredded coconut instead. Do you think the omission of oats would require adjusting the boiling time? I hope they’ll hold together without oats! Worst case, I have a few packets of peaches & cream oatmeal, but I’m not sure how old they are as the box has been tossed. Eeek. Thanks!
Hi, Andee! I haven’t tried using just coconut before, so I’m not quite sure. It would probably be okay to use some coconut in place of the oats, but I’m not sure if the cookies will set up properly without any oats.
Followed recipe exactly and the cookies were amazing. Had these growing up as well. You don’t have to wait for these to harden, just cool a bit. This recipe makes Yummy, smooth, chocolatey, warm, goodness.
Glad you enjoyed the cookies, Erin! I usually end up eating them before they cool too, they’re definitely delicious that way! 🙂
As a husband and a father I’m always trying to come up with something to cook I’m trying this for the first time I’ve always enjoyed cooking on the weekends to help my wife out so here goes a try!
Hope the cookies turned out great for you, Kevin!
These Cookies were Awesome! Thanks for the Recipe! 😀
I’m so glad you liked the cookies, Sierra!
I just tried these tonight. I was out of the quick cooking oats, so I used old fashioned oats. I was surprised they turned out fine with them. I still prefer the quick cooking, but the other works fine. I added more peanut butter, probably about a half cup more.
Glad you liked the cookies, Julie! I’ll sometimes use regular old-fashioned oats, I just find the quick oats to have a better texture. You can even pulse the old-fashioned oats in a food processor a few times so they’re not quite as large.
I love them gooey !!!! I really don’t like them hard !!!! But been making them since I was a kid with my Grandmother and Mother and now with my Granddaughter….
They’re definitely still delicious when they’re gooey too! 🙂
Will these work without boiling? We used to make no bake cookies all the time but I lost my recipe, I don’t remember ever boiling them, so I’m wondering if this is the same?
No, the cookies would not set up. You do need to boil this mixture for the cookies to set up properly.
Hi. Please can I replace butter with Margarine in this recipe?
Yes, you can use margarine in this recipe.
I did not enjoy this. I would suggest less cocoa powder and more peanut butter, maybe even fewer oats.
Sorry you didn’t like the cookies, Kayla. You can feel free to add more peanut butter next time.
I was just wondering. Would it work if I replaced peanut butter and oats with nutella and chocolate chip?
I haven’t tried either, so I’m not quite sure. It may be okay to replace the peanut butter with Nutella, but I wouldn’t suggest replacing the oats.