No-Bake Cookies

4.6
(1,297)

Tasty no-bake cookies made with quick-cooking oats, peanut butter, and cocoa. For best results, start timing when the mixture reaches a full rolling boil; this is the trick to successful cookies. If you boil too long the cookies will be dry and crumbly. If you don't boil long enough the cookies won't form properly.

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Chocolate no bake cookies on crumbled parchment paper
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
5 mins
Additional Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
36
Yield:
3 dozen

This classic no-bake cookie recipe is chewy, chocolaty, and simply irresistible — it’s the perfect quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

How to Make No-Bake Cookies

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the no-bake cookie recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

No-Bake Cookie Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this top-rated no-bake cookie recipe: 

  • Sugar: This sweet no-bake cookie recipe starts with 1 ¾ cup white sugar. 
  • Butter: A stick of butter adds richness, moisture, and flavor. 
  • Milk: Milk gives the cookies more moisture and richness. 
  • Cocoa powder: Unsweetened powder is essential for the deep chocolate flavor.
  • Peanut butter: This recipe calls for crunchy peanut butter, but you can use smooth peanut butter if you prefer. 
  • Oats: Make sure to use quick-cooking oats. 
  • Vanilla: A teaspoon of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the no-bake cookies. 

These no-bake cookies are quite sticky, so you’ll also need wax paper. 

How Do You Make No-Bake Cookies?

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade no-bake cookies: 

  1. Boil the sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa for 90 seconds. 
  2. Remove from heat, then stir in the peanut butter.
  3. Stir in the oats and vanilla. 
  4. Drop onto wax paper and let cool. 

How to Store No-Bake Cookies

Once the no-bake cookies are cooled and completely hardened, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you’re worried about sticking, you can place wax paper between each layer.  

Can You Freeze No-Bake Cookies?

Yes, no-bake cookies freeze well. Flash freeze them for a few hours or up to overnight, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to six months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“This was a childhood favorite of mine growing up and I’m glad I found this recipe,” says L Jackson. “It’s exactly like what I remember and now it’s becoming a childhood favorite for my kids. Instead of dropping onto wax paper, I put mine into a 9x9-inch pan and let cool. Then we cut it into squares, similar to fudge.”

"I have made these over and over again," raves another Allrecipes community member. "Giving me the exact time it needs to boil has given me perfect cookies every time I have made them!"

“Let me tell you what, these turned out PERFECT,” raves Steve Bonds. “I have been trying to make these right for the longest time. The chocolate is smooth and silky. No graininess to them. Perfect consistency.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 36 servings

  • 1 ¾ cups white sugar

  • ½ cup butter

  • ½ cup milk

  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

  • ½ cup crunchy peanut butter

  • 3 cups quick-cooking oats

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • waxed paper

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make no bake cookies

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring often. Boil for exactly 1 ½ minutes.

    A simmering pot of sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa being stirred with a wooden spoon

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter.

    A spoon stirring peanut butter into a pot of chocolate-milk mixture

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Add oats and vanilla; stir until well combined.

    A pot of oats coated in chocolate-peanut butter mixture

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

    A parchment paper-lined baking sheet with chocolate no-bake cookies

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Let cool until hardened. Enjoy!

    Chocolate no bake cookies on crumbled parchment paper

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

2,400 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

110 Calories
5g Fat
16g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 36
Calories 110
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Sodium 38mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 2g 4%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 67mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.