No-Bake Cookies

Every holiday season, our Aunt Margaret (Hi Maggie!) bakes cookies.  We're talking boat-loads of cookies here.  Each year, she tries to limit herself to "Favorites Only" but unlucky for her, we all have different favorites!  So, she's stuck baking sugar cookies for one person (Ry) and Molasses cookies for someone else (Hi Mom).  Even after she pares things down, she still spends the days leading up to Christmas baking her little tush off.

The recipe that follows is Jess's personal favorite, the No-Bake.  These cookies are easy to make and filled with the delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate.  The best part is that you probably have everything to make them in your pantry right now!  We aren't sure of the exact origin of this recipe and there are probably several variations floating around on Pinterest, but here's the one we use.

Aunt Margaret's No-Bake Cookies 

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter (We always use unsalted)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups oatmeal (Can use quick-cook or old fashioned)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2-1 cup nuts (She uses walnuts, but you can add whatever you have or omit these)

Directions: 

Add the first 5 ingredients to a large saucepan on medium heat.  Melt the ingredients together and bring to a boil.  Boil for 2 minutes then turn off the heat and cool slightly.  

Then stir in the remaining ingredients.  

Let the entire mixture cool and then roll (or scoop) into balls.  (Maggie's look a little more perfect than ours, we just scoop and leave it at that).  We like to line a cookie sheet with Silpat to cool them on, but you could easily use wax paper.

Cool in your refrigerator and then enjoy!  These last for a few days in the fridge in an airtight container.  

Give them a try and let us know what you think!