No bake cookies are a great treat to make when you want to avoid using your oven, and there are almost as many varieties of no-bake cookies as there are standard, baked cookies. Keep reading if you are interested in learning a few different recipes that can satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients

Basic No Bake Cookies [1]

Makes about 12 cookies

  • 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
  • 1 cup (225 milliliters) milk (or milk substitute)
  • ½ cup (112.50 grams/ 1 stick) butter
  • ¼ - 1/3 cup (31.25 to 41.67 grams) cocoa powder
  • 3 cups (420 grams) quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Peanut Butter Cookies [2]

Makes about 12 cookies

  • 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
  • ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) milk
  • ½ cup (112.50 grams) butter
  • 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup (125 grams) smooth peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (420 grams) quick-cooking oats

Makes about 12, 1 ½ inch (3.81 centimeters) square-shaped cookies

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk, soy milk, or other non-dairy milk
  • ¼ cup (42.50 grams) coconut palm sugar or brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons – 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (105 grams) oat flour (gluten-free) or finely ground oats
  • ¾ cup (105 grams) almond flour
  • ¼ cup ground raw sugar
  • 1/3 to ½ cup (60 to 90 grams) vegan mini chocolate chips or vegan dark chocolate chunks
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making Basic No Bake Cookies

  1. You won't be baking these cookies, but you still will need some place to put them. You can also line a cupcake tin with paper cupcake liners. Each cupcake liner will hold one drop of cookie dough.
    • Consider storing the baking sheet in the refrigerator while you are making the dough. This will make it cold, and allow the cookies to finish sooner.
  2. Mix the ingredients together with a spoon or spatula. Be sure to cut the butter into smaller cubes before adding it into the pot. This will help it melt faster.
    • If you are lactose intolerant, consider using almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or lactose-free milk.
    • Add a ¼ teaspoon of salt to cut down on the sweetness. The salt will also help bring out the other flavors. [4] Add it into the cooking pot before the butter starts to melt and stir it in well.
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  3. Keep stirring the cookie dough so it does not burn. Wait until the butter melts. This will take about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Be sure to use quick-cooking oats. Stir the oats into the dough with a spoon or a spatula. Keep stirring until the oats are evenly coated.
  5. Scoop some of the dough out using a tablespoon, then drop it onto the wax paper. The dough will be shaped like clumpy balls. If you want, you can flatten the clumps by pressing down on them with the back of the spoon.
    • Try making some cookie balls instead. Roll the dough into small balls first, then roll the balls around in a bowl filled with shredded coconut, crushed nut, or cocoa powder.
  6. You can drizzle some melted chocolate or caramel sauce over them, too.
  7. However, if you do not have a bunch of time, the cookies can go into the freezer for about 15 minutes. [5]
  8. If you serve them too soon, they will start to melt and fall apart.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making Peanut Butter Cookies

  1. Keep the baking sheet in the fridge while you are making the dough. This will make the sheet cold and help the cookies set faster.
  2. Stir everything with a spoon or a spatula. Consider cutting the butter into smaller cubes; this will help it melt faster in the next steps.
    • If you are lactose intolerant, try using almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or lactose-free milk instead.
    • If you don't like peanut butter, you can make chocolate hazelnut cookies instead. Start by reducing the cocoa powder to just 2 tablespoons. You can substitute chocolate hazelnut spread for the peanut butter later.
  3. This will allow the sugar to dissolve completely. You will end up with something that looks watery.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the rest of the ingredients. Keep stirring until the oats are completely covered. [6]
    • If you are making chocolate hazelnut cookies, use 1 cup (250 grams) of chocolate hazelnut spread instead.
  5. Once everything is mixed together, take the pot off the stove and set it down onto a heat-resistant surface.
  6. You will end up with lumpy clumps. If you want, you can press the back of the spoon against the cookies to flatten them.
    • You can also roll the dough into small balls, and then roll the balls in a bowl filled with shredded coconut, crushed nut, or cocoa powder.
  7. You can drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce over the cookies to make them even yummier.
  8. You can also leave the tray in the freezer for 15 minutes instead.
  9. If you try to eat them too soon, they will get gooey and messy.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making Vegan, Peanut-free, Gluten-Free Cookies

  1. Coconut oil is usually solid, so you will need to melt it.
  2. Turn the head up to medium, and stir in the ingredients. You can also use brown sugar instead of coconut sugar. If you do not like the taste of almond milk, try soy milk, coconut milk, or lactose-free milk instead.
  3. You want to end up with a thick, consistency. If the batter is too soft, add some more oat or almond flour. If it is too dry, add in some more coconut oil or milk. Keep in mind, however, that the cookies will harden once you put them into the fridge, so try not to add too much flour.
  4. You can also use chocolate chunks. Make sure to get the dairy-free or vegan variety. Stir the chocolate chips into the batter until they are evenly distributed.
  5. This will help cut back on the sweetness.
  6. If you do not have parchment paper, you can use wax paper instead. Since you will be spreading the batter over this, it might be a good idea to tape the paper to the baking sheet. This will keep the paper in place and prevent it from moving about.
  7. You want it to be about 7 by 8 inches (17.78 by 20.32 centimeters) and ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) thick. Flatten the edges by pressing them in with a spatula.
  8. This will take at least 30 minutes. If you are in a hurry, you can put the tray into the freezer for about 15 minutes.
  9. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough.
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Community Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I use cornflakes instead of oats?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes, cornflakes can also be used instead of oats, but do note your cookies might be a little crunchy.
  • Question
    If you don't have a stove, how long do you microwave the ingredients for cookies without peanut butter?
    Community Answer
    It varies for your microwave. Start at 30 seconds, and keep checking on it until it's melted, which should be 1-2 minutes.
  • Question
    Do I have to use parchment or wax paper, or could I use foil?
    Community Answer
    You could, hypothetically, use foil, but it might be harder to get the things off of it. Parchment paper and wax paper are specifically designed so you can remove things easily without ripping it or having food stick to it.
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      Tips

      • If you don't have wax paper, grease the pan with non-stick spray or oil.
      • Try using an ice cream scoop instead of a tablespoon. This may make it easier to scoop the dough out and place it onto the baking sheet.
      • You can also use almonds or any kind of nuts, or use barley.
      Show More Tips
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      Things You'll Need

      • Saucepan
      • Large spoon or spatula
      • Wax paper, parchment paper, silicone baking sheet, or aluminum foil
      • Baking sheet or baking pan
      • Refrigerator or freezer
      • Stove
      • Knife
      • Teaspoon or tablespoon


      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about pastry making, check out our in-depth interview with Lisa Britten .

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To make basic no bake cookies, add sugar, butter, milk, cocoa powder, and salt into a cooking pot. If you have a dairy sensitivity, use almond milk or soy milk instead. Cook the mixture over medium heat until the butter melts, or about 3 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat and stir in quick-cooking oats. Use a spoon to scoop the dough onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper, then refrigerate the no-bake cookies for at least 30 minutes. Once the cookies are hard, they are ready to serve! If you want to learn how to make different recipes, such as peanut butter or vegan cookies, keep reading!

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 720,195 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Mar 2, 2019

        "I did the first method. Tasted good! I recommend putting some chocolate sauce on the cookie. Really yummy, and ..." more
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