Classic No Bake Cookies

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These classic No-Bake Cookies are the perfect dessert when you’re short on time. You just need a pot, a stovetop, a few basic ingredients, and voila! 10 minutes to a whole batch of delectable cookies. If you’re looking for the fastest way to a chocolate-peanut butter cookie fix, this is it.

 

Ingredient Notes + Variations

These no-bake cookies come together with a handful of pantry staples that you probably already have on hand. They are a quick and easy dessert because they don’t require any special baking equipment or skills.

For full recipe details, including ingredients needed and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.

• Vanilla extract – Adds a warm finish and rounds out the flavors.
• Oats – Old-fashioned oats give the cookies a chewy texture. Quick oats make them softer, so reduce slightly if using.
• Butter – Makes the cookies rich and helps them set up.
• Milk – Whole milk works best for creamy texture.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar is what makes these glossy and sweet.
• Cocoa powder – Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the deepest chocolate flavor.
• Peanut butter – Creamy peanut butter stirs in like a dream and gives the cookies structure.

How to Make No-Bake Cookies

This no-bake cookie recipe has been in the family for the last 50 years! These cookies come together in about 10 minutes, so get everything measured before you start. For full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements needed, see the recipe card down below.

1. Bring Butter, Sugar + Milk to a Boil

Start out with granulated sugar and butter in a pot. Add in the milk and set over the heat to boil for 1 minute.

2. Measure Out Remaining Ingredients

While that butter and sugar mixture is cooking away, get the rest of your ingredients measured: oats, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and vanilla.

Pro Tip: for best results, use old fashioned rolled oats. If you only have the quick-cooking kind of oats, reduce the amount by 1/4 cup.

3. Remove Mixture From Heat + Add Remaining Ingredients

Take the pot off the heat, then stir in cocoa powder, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and oats until completely combined.

4. Scoop + Set

Drop by spoonfuls (or use a cookie scoop) onto parchment paper. Let cool 5–10 minutes until firm.

Recipe Tips For Success

• Pre-Measure Ingredients: Pre-measure your ingredients because this no-bake cookie recipe is a quick one!
• Use parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Don’t Use All-Natural Peanut Butter: Do not use all-natural peanut butter for this no-bake cookie recipe. It prevents the cookies from setting completely. So reach for the Jif or Skippy smooth peanut butter.
• Use Creamy Peanut Butter: Most people prefer creamy peanut butter because it combines well with the other ingredients. I wouldn’t recommend using crunchy peanut butter because it’s less likely to bind well with the other ingredients.
• Boiling: We aren’t going for a simmer; we want a full-blown rolling boil. If you don’t melt the sugar completely, you will get that granulated sugar texture in the cookie. Boil for exactly 1 minute, start the timer as soon as it bubbles.

These no-bake cookies are soft, chewy, and ready faster than you can preheat an oven. Bookmark this one — it’s a classic for a reason. The printable recipe card is below. Have a wonderful day, friends! 🙂

More Cookie Recipes to Try!

• Actually Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
• Monster Cookies
• Peanut Butter Blossoms
• Perfect Shortbread Cookies (highly popular!)