Quick Fudgy Cookies--No Bake

These no bake cookies are great for little ones to make.  (You may want to scrape the finished mixture out of the pot into a bowl so no one will burn tender little fingers.)  If you have a special little guy or girlie at home maybe they'll let you help, when they make these cookies. 😉

When I was teaching I had the privilege to teach both of my sons.  When David, my oldest, was in grade 2 or 3 we were doing an activity sheet for language arts or math (can't remember which) and this little recipe was on the sheet.  The instructions suggested the children take the sheet home and make the cookies with their parents.  So we did.  David was proud to have made the cookies all by himself (with my help with the hot stuff) and we enjoyed them very much. 

I don't know if we were honing reading or measuring skills but this tasty little treat certainly enhanced my recipe file.  They come together fast as they do not have to be rolled into balls or baked.  Just drop them on a lined cookie sheet and set them in the fridge for a few minutes and you're good to go.  In the original recipe the oats and peanut butter were supposed to be mixed dry but it is so much easier to mix the peanut butter in with the cooked fudge mixture.  I imagine a ½ cup chopped salted peanuts wouldn't go astray in these cookies, but alas I have none on hand. . . or raisins would be good added in as well. 

Quick Fudgy Cookies
(No Bake)

In a large saucepan bring to a boil and boil 1 minute:

• 2 cups white sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
• ½ cup milk

Remove from heat and add:

• ½ cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir well to combine.

Stir in:

• 2 ½ cups dry oatmeal and mix well.

Drop by tablespoons unto waxed or parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Refrigerate until set. 

Makes 3 ½ dozen.

I always sift cocoa when adding it to a recipe because cocoa lumps are not nice in a cookie or cake.   Mix the sugar and cocoa together and add the milk.  Stir all together until sugar is dissolved and bring to a boil.  Boil 1 minute.  Don't over-boil because the cookies will be dry and crumbly.

Remove pot from heat and stir in the vanilla and peanut butter.  Mix well.

Add the dry oatmeal and mix until all the oatmeal is completely combined into the fudge mixture.

Drop by tablespoonfuls on a waxed or parchment paper lined pan.  Using 2 spoons really keeps the mess under control.  Let the cookies set up in the fridge for about 15 minutes or leave them at room temperature for about an hour. 

Cookies and milk, anyone?

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