Classic No-Bake Cookies

Classic No-Bake Cookies

When asking friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors for their favorite cookie, No-Bakes come up time and again. They are a timeless classic cookie with many names and even more varieties. Depending on where you live or the time period you are talking about, No-Bakes have had many aliases. They go by Poodgies down in Texas and yes, even Cow-Patties out west. In the Appalachian Mountains and southern regions of the United States, there were often called Preacher Cookies. Legend has it, if the housewife happened to look out the kitchen window and saw the circuit-riding preacher riding up, she could have them whipped up and ready to serve with a steaming cup of coffee before he even got to the front door! It’s common to find them even today at reunions and fellowship dinners. This super-hero of cookies has our backs for the mom who forgot it was her turn to bring something to ladies fellowship night or that late night realization that the potluck you forgot about is tomorrow!

As time goes on, the No-Bake has probably seen more recipe adaptions in the way of add-ins than any other cookie. From exotic nuts and cheerios, to coconut, mint flavoring and Nutella I have seen a lot of things added to this cookie. It’s hard to say when this classic cookie got its start. Some people say around the great depression while others argue much earlier. But either way, I’m sure most of us are just glad that it came to be. For those moments, when we needed for whatever reason, to whip up something fast, it’s been there!

Ingredients:
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Butter (for dairy-free: see note)
1/2 Cup Milk (for dairy-free: see note)
1/3 Cup Coco
1 Tab Vanilla
1/3 Cup Peanut butter
3-4 Cups Oatmeal (Gluten-free, if needed)

Note: I have used almond milk and coconut oil as dairy-free substitutes in this recipe. The flavor is good, but they have a tendency to be a bit too gooey. Not eat-with-a-spoon level, but definitely a good idea to have a dishcloth handy if passing out to kids.

Start by lining cookie sheets with wax paper or parchment paper, set aside. Then combine sugar, butter, milk, and coco in a medium-sized saucepan.

Bring to a rolling boil over medium high heat, being careful not to let it scorch. Boil for one minute.
As soon as you start the one minute on the timer, prep your cold water for testing your mixture. Ice water works best. Remember to keep tabs on your boiling batter. Test mixture after one minute. Test by dropping in very cold water. You want the mixture to be at what’s called “soft ball stage” in candy making terms. When you drop a bit of the mixture in cold water it should be able to be molded into a ball that stays together, but is still soft and pliable.

If the mixture is still runny in cold water, boil 30 seconds more and test again watching closely. A runny jelly in the cold water test will produced cookies that you end up eating with a spoon. On the other hand, do not over cook or the cookies will become dry and crumbly.
Once soft ball stage is reached remove from heat and add in the vanilla and peanut butter till well blended.

Then add in oatmeal. Stir until oatmeal is completely coated.

Make sure to work fast while dropping the cookie mixture onto your lined cookie sheets using two spoons.

Careful, the batter will be very hot! Once cooled, your cookies are ready to be devoured.

Several recipes for No-Bakes attempt to keep the recipe simple by just giving directions to boil for one min and proceed. I chose to include the cold water test to help you better understand why No-Bake cookies sometimes don’t set up right or get too crumbly. Differences in stoves or even different people’s interpretation of rolling boil can affect how the cookie turns out. By understanding what you are aiming for you can always get that perfect cookie. I hope this gives you a better understanding of the science and secret to the perfect No-Bake cookies.

For an added fun twist try spooning the hot cookie batter into silicone molds for a different look, perfect for a theme or holiday event.

Enjoy!
The Homesteading Hen