Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies: A Simple, Delicious Treat
Are you craving a sweet treat that's easy to make and requires no oven? Look no further! These peanut butter no-bake cookies are the perfect solution. This recipe is quick, simple, and results in irresistibly chewy cookies that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for a quick dessert, a bake sale, or even a fun family activity!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients. You likely already have most of them in your pantry!
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Provides the sweetness and helps bind the cookies.
- 1/2 cup milk: Acts as a binding agent and adds moisture. You can experiment with different types of milk – almond milk or oat milk work well too!
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: The star of the show! Provides that rich peanut butter flavor and texture. Make sure it's creamy, not crunchy!
- 1/4 cup butter: Adds richness and helps the cookies hold their shape. Use unsalted butter for better control over the sweetness.
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats: The base of the cookies; provides the texture and structure. Avoid using instant oats as they will have a different texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookies. A touch of vanilla goes a long way!
Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide
These no-bake cookies are incredibly easy to make, even for beginner bakers! Just follow these steps:
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, milk, peanut butter, and butter. Stir constantly until the butter and sugar are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Bring to a Boil: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning. This is crucial for the cookies to set correctly. Boil for exactly one minute.
- Remove from Heat & Add Oats & Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the quick-cooking oats and vanilla extract. Stir until the oats are evenly coated with the peanut butter mixture.
- Drop onto Parchment Paper: Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave space between each cookie as they will spread slightly.
- Cool & Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving. This is essential for them to set properly.
Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies:
- Don't overcook the mixture. One minute of boiling is key. Overcooking will make the cookies too hard.
- Use quick-cooking oats. Regular rolled oats will not work as well in this recipe.
- Let the cookies cool completely before trying to eat them. They will be soft and gooey while still warm but will firm up as they cool.
- Get creative with add-ins! Try adding chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q: Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
A: It's best to use creamy peanut butter for these cookies, as crunchy peanut butter can result in a less smooth texture.
Q: How long do these cookies last?
A: Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies will last for about a week.
Enjoy your delicious homemade peanut butter no-bake cookies! Let us know in the comments how yours turned out!
