No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

This No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie is one of those recipes that I have had around forever. I actually remember making these cookies when I was little. The recipe for them was in my very first kids’ cookbook (I think I got the cookbook for Christmas when I was five).  I wore that thing out! I still have random pages floating around among my more “sophisticated”, grown-up cookbooks. The binding is long gone and the remaining pages are torn and stained. It was a well-loved cookbook. I even left the occasional comment in the sidebar, with black sharpie, if a recipe struck my fancy. I think I wrote “yum, yum” next to the recipe for these no-bake cookies — true story. Apparently that was the extent of my recipe critiquing back then. You know what though? It is still a pretty accurate assessment.

The really great thing about this cookie is that they are very well-suited to adaptation…which is fantastic for my little boys’ allergy needs. There is no flour in them so they are naturally wheat-free. I also swapped out the dairy and peanut butter. I don’t have to worry about the oats since they only need to be wheat, not gluten, free but you could use certified gluten-free oats if that is a concern for you. My sweet little guy had a great time helping me make these. They are so quick to throw together that it is the perfect recipe for little hands to help with, as long as one is careful by the stove. Of course, the eating is the best part! I love making special treats for my boys’ because they don’t often get to eat the same kinds of treats that their peers are eating. Seeing the delight it brings them makes this mommy very happy! I hope your family enjoys this easy recipe as much as we have.

The cast of characters is simple. Cocoa, oats, sugar, rice milk, salt, vanilla, sunbutter, and dairy-free margarine. Don’t forget a little helper….

Once you have your dough made all you need to do is scoop onto parchment paper and wait a few minutes to let them set up. It helps to lick a spoon while you wait!

In case you wonder about the colorful balls in the background of this photo…it’s clay…and toothpicks. My daughter was creating. We almost always have some sort of art supply strewn all over the kitchen table.

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine (we used dairy free Earth Balance)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk (whatever variety works for you)
• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• 1/2 cup Sunbutter (or peanut, cashew, almond, etc)
• 3 cups quick cooking oats
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Add the first 4 ingredients to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Drop by spoonful, a cookie scoop works well, onto waxed or parchment paper. Let set. Store in airtight container. These also freeze well.

Note: raisins or coconut make nice additions

This recipe made about two dozen cookies and one very happy little boy…..