Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
Rich, chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies made on the stovetop with cocoa, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and quick oats.
Equipment
- Medium heavy-bottomed saucepan
- Wooden spoon or heat-resistant silicone spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- cookie scoop
- Parchment or wax paper
- Baking sheets
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 4 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup whole milk
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets or a clean section of your countertop with parchment or wax paper.
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, cocoa powder, milk, and salt to a medium saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter melts and everything is smooth and combined.
- Once the mixture comes to a full rolling boil, boil for about 1 minute, stirring as needed. Avoid overcooking, which can make the cookies dry and crumbly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Immediately add the peanut butter and vanilla. Stir until the peanut butter has completely melted and the chocolate mixture is smooth.
- Add the quick oats 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.
- Working quickly, drop rounded tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper.
- Let the cookies stand at room temperature for about 30–45 minutes, or until completely cooled and set.
Notes
- Measure everything before you start. Once the chocolate mixture is ready, you'll want to work quickly.
- Wait for a true rolling boil. You want bubbles actively breaking across the entire surface, not just around the edges.
- Time the boil carefully. About 1 minute is the sweet spot for this recipe. Too little boiling can prevent the cookies from setting; too much can make them dry
- Scoop immediately. The mixture starts setting as it cools, so don't leave it sitting in the saucepan while you go hunting for your cookie scoop!