No-Bake Cookies

I babysit for a local family with four kids (ages 8, 6, 4, & 2) and to keep them busy and out of trouble, I always try to bring something to do with me. This weekend I brought over the ingredients to make No-Bake Cookies.

This recipe is great to make with kids because it only has a few ingredients, takes only a few minutes to make (perfect for short attention spans), you don't need a mixer, and you don't have to heat up the oven (although you do use the stove top, but only for a few minutes).

Here is the recipe:

No-Bake Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Cookies

From Rebecca Crump (EzraPoundCake.com)

• 3 1/2 CUPS DRY QUICK-COOKING OATS, DIVIDED
• 1/2 CUP PEANUT BUTTER
• 2 TEASPOONS VANILLA
• 1 STICK (8 TABLESPOONS) BUTTER, CUT INTO PIECES
• 2 CUPS SUGAR
• 1/2 CUP MILK
• 4 TABLESPOONS COCOA

1. Place several sheets of wax paper on your counter or kitchen table.

2. Measure 3 cups of oats, the peanut butter and the vanilla into a large heatproof bowl. Set aside.

3. Place the butter, sugar, milk and cocoa in a small saucepan. Give them a quick stir. Turn the heat on high, and leave the mixture alone. (No more stirring.) Bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil, and let it boil for exactly 1 minute. Remove immediately from the heat, and pour the chocolate mixture over the oats and peanut butter.

4. Use a large wooden spoon to quickly stir the ingredients together. (If the mixture seems runny or it’s a very humid day, stir in the remaining half-cup of oats.)

5. Working with two spoons or a small ice cream scoop, drop the mixture by tablespoons onto the wax paper.

6. Let the cookies cool until set.

The final product (camera phone... sorry!)

My baking help

In the bowl (doesn't look very yummy, but it is!)