No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal (Printable)

Rich, chewy chocolate and oat drops set quickly without heating, perfect for a satisfying treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
05 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

06 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
07 - 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

# How-To:

01 - Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. Stir frequently until mixture reaches a full rolling boil.
03 - Maintain boiling for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
04 - Remove from heat and immediately stir in peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
05 - Add oats and stir until fully combined and coated.
06 - Drop tablespoon-sized portions onto prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart.
07 - Let cookies set at room temperature for 20 minutes until firm or refrigerate for 10 minutes to expedite setting.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're ready to eat in 30 minutes flat, perfect for when a craving hits and patience isn't an option.
  • No oven means your kitchen stays cool and you can make them anytime, even on the hottest days.
  • The combination of chewy oats and rich chocolate feels decadent but comes together with just five minutes of actual cooking.
02 -
  • Don't skip the full minute of boiling after the mixture reaches a rolling boil, or your cookies will stay a little too soft and won't hold their shape well.
  • Room temperature setting takes longer but gives you a better texture than rushing them in the fridge, so plan accordingly if you have time.
03 -
  • Use a candy or instant-read thermometer if you have one—you're aiming for the mixture to hit around 210°F after that full rolling boil minute, which guarantees perfect texture.
  • If your chocolate mixture seems to be setting too fast on the spoon, work a bit quicker dropping them or dip your spoon in hot water between drops to make it easier.
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