Special Recipe

No-bake Cookies have been a very special recipe in my family as long as I can remember. My Mother made these cookies many times over the years. I remember I would scrape out the pot she used to make the cookies and eat the remaining No-bake Cookie mix. Until this phone call, I never knew where the recipe came from; my Aunt Marie had given the recipe to my Mother and that’s who taught her how to make the cookies. This makes the recipe even more special to me, because this was also one of my favorite aunts.

                While talking to my Mother about the cookies, she said there are no short cuts in making these cookies. She explained that these cookies are done on the stove top, so stirring the ingredients constantly and make sure the mixture doesn’t burn is very important. If they burn the slightest the cookies will have a burnt taste to them, even if the mixture doesn’t look burnt.  She explained the preparation in making these cookies and how it was very important to measure out ingredients and have in reach. Once the mixture starts to boil, it’s a very fast process and there is no time to stop and get or measure out something.  

                You will need wax paper, a medium saucepan or pot, a couple spoons handy,   sugar, milk, cocoa, vanilla, oats, peanut butter, butter, and chopped peanuts (optional).

Fix the heat to medium and combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa in the saucepan. Stirring constantly. Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, remove it from the heat and add the oats, peanut butter, peanuts (optional), and vanilla. Stir quickly making sure all of the oats are mixed in well. With a teaspoon drop the mixture onto the wax paper and cool for about thirty minutes. Cookies will stay fresh if stored in a closed container in a dry place.

                 Over the years I have felt as if only my Mother knew how to make these cookies and everyone else’s were either too dry or just didn’t have a good taste. She taught me how to make the cookies and I’ve been making them now for the past 25 years. She never changed the recipe, but I’ve experimented with leaving the cocoa out and just making them Peanut Butter No-Bakes. When I first did this, I took some to my Mom, and she became an instant fan. She’s even been known to hide some for herself.

                While on the phone we discussed the possibility of adding raisins to this mixture. This may mean that I need to get in the kitchen and whip up a batch of Chocolate Peanut Butter Raisin No-Bake Cookies.

No-Bake Cookie

   3c     Quick Oates                                                          2/3c Peanut Butter

1/2c Chopped Peanuts (optional)                                     2c  Sugar

1/2c  Butter (1 stick)                                                        1/2c  Milk

1/3c  Cocoa                                                                        2tsp  Vanilla Extract

Lay out enough wax paper to hold cookies. Measure oats, peanut butter, and peanuts (optional), set aside. Combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa in a medium size saucepan, continuously stir mixture until it comes to a rapid boil. Remove from heat and add peanut butter, oats, vanilla, and peanuts. Stir quickly making sure all oats are coated. Quickly drop mixture using a teaspoon onto the wax paper. Cooling time is about 30 minutes.

**Store extra cookies in a closed container in a dry place.

***Pamela Rohrbaugh***