I fell hard for these Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies while babysitting decades ago. So easy to make, they’re a speedy way to get your chocolate peanut butter fix!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links; view my Disclosure Policy for details. I earn a small percentage from any purchase you make by clicking on these links. This helps me keep my kitchen stocked with butter and chocolate!
Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
Despite having 3 younger sisters, I’m not so sure I was the world’s greatest babysitter. I remember being hired by a family around the block. The little guy was in a deep sleep before I arrived. So what’s a girl to do. This was before there were baby monitors, so I didn’t want to have the TV on. Or at least not on very loud. I roamed the house and found a pot sitting on the stove top full of no-bake cookie batter. I knew it was meant for me, and I felt obligated to sample it. I was smitten with these no bake cookies.
Quick and Easy
Totally made in a saucepan, these chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies are quick and easy. I used quick oats, but old fashioned rolled oats could work, too. It all depends on the texture you prefer. The sugar, milk, butter and cocoa are brought to a boil in a large saucepan. The one tip for success is to wait until this mixture comes to a full, rolling boil, and let it boil for a full minute. If you’re a bit uncertain, this is when a Candy Thermometer
After the minute is up, remove from the heat and stir in the rest of the ingredients. I use a Medium Cookie Scoop and scoop rounds onto a parchment lined Half Sheet Pan. If your cookies look more like amoebas than circles, tap the sides with a spatula while the mixture is still warm. That’s a super trick for any misshapen cookie that is fresh out of the oven.
More Easy Cookies You Will Love:
- Easy S’more Cookies from The Cookie Rookie
- Simple Meringue Cookies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Easy Red Velvet Cookies from Rachel Cooks
- Chippy Bars from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Almond Joy Cookies from Mom on Timeout
- No Bake Oatmeal Cookies from TexanErin Baking
Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
A super easy cookie recipe with that fabulous pairing of chocolate and peanut butter.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 cups quick oats
- 1 cup peanut butter, smooth
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, bring sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa powder to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture is boiling, let it boil for one full minute, then remove from heat.
- Add the oatmeal, peanut butter, and vanilla and stir until well combined.
- Using a medium cookie disher/scoop, scoop out tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Let rest at room temperature until cool.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 1652kcal Calories from fat 744 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 83g | 128% |
| Saturated Fat 31g | 155% |
| Transfat 1g | |
| Cholesterol 85mg | 28% |
| Sodium 42mg | 2% |
| Carbohydrate 214g | 71% |
| Dietary Fiber 14g | 56% |
| Sugars 146g | |
| Protein 33g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
Note: This post may contain affiliate links; view my Disclosure Policy for details. I earn a small percentage from any purchase you make by clicking on these links. This helps me keep my kitchen stocked with butter and chocolate!
I love fuss free recipes. These cookies look fantastic and cool video too, Liz.
I’ve seen these cookies before but have never tried them… I think it’s time:@)
What a funny story about your first experience with these cookies. And I am the oldest of 4 myself–so always was hired out to baby-sit.
oh yes a great childhood memory mom always made these yours look perfect!
These look awesome Liz. JT loves PB and chocolate and having the oats makes them feel a little healthy! You always have such great tips, thanks!
Perfect for the road ! Thank you !
OMG these are one of my favorite cookies EVER! My sister and I were absolutely obsessed with them growing up. Forget chocolate chip, these were all we ever asked for 🙂
Love No Bake Cookies! They’re perfect for when unexpected guests show and you need a sweet treat!
These look so yummy! Love no-bake cookies!
Fast, yummy, delish and involves chocolate and peanut butter! YES! And let’s not forget oatmeal–I love to use oatmeal in everything! 😀 Definitely a classic everyone loves!
This is the perfect way to get my chocolate PB fix! Love these bites!
These look yummy. I love that they are a no-bake cookie.
Can’t believe I’ve never made these no bake cookies. That’s about to change – they look wonderful!
Chocolate AND nobake? You are speaking my language!
I love that you learned this during your babysitting days, Liz! I’m going to make these with my daughter!
These look delicious!!
Wow, I just know we will love these!! Peanut butter and chocolate are two of my crew’s favorite things! IYum!
You just can’t beat peanut butter + chocolate!
We made these when I was growing up, they were called “Charlie Brown’s”. We love these. Glad to have this recipe. I still have my original one, I got while in school as a kid.
These are so easy and delicious! My favorite combination!
No bake cookies are the best!
Did this recipe every bring back memories. A friend here in Aspen used to make these as part of her “Christmas Cookie Box” to hand out to her friends over the holidays. Michael and I waited for that box to arrive at our doorstep. Being the selfish person I am, I separated these chocolate peanut butter drops out for myself (there were enough other varieties in the box to please my hubby). Eventually her list got too long, she couldn’t keep up with the demand and she stopped doing it. We’ve both lost our husbands now but not the memories so think I’ll make a batch or two of these and she and I will relive good times. Memo to Liz: I was a lousy babysitter. Only did it once.
Looks like I need to dig out my candy thermometer!
Can I omit the peanut butter and would I need to add more oats?
Hi, Cj,
I just checked out another no-bake cookie recipe without peanut butter. The ingredients were all the same except for only 3 tablespoons of cocoa and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. I haven’t tested it, but it might work for you!
no bake cookies are one of my favorites! They look amazinggggg!
Liz, my husband doesn’t like peanutbutter, what could I use in place of it? Could I do without and still have it come together and form cookie?
Karen, I answered this same question for another reader. Here’s what I wrote: I just checked out another no-bake cookie recipe without peanut butter. The ingredients were all the same except for only 3 tablespoons of cocoa and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. I haven’t tested it, but it might work for you!
Why do they sometimes come out very chewy/sticky and sometimes they set up perfectly?
I’ve been making these for years and it’s hit or miss for me on how they will set up.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Hi, Allen,
I’m no expert, but it could be anything from the temperature in your kitchen to the boiling time of the batter. First I’d make sure your mixture is at a good boil for a full minute (that’s what most of the recipes recommend to make sure they set up). If that doesn’t work, get a candy thermometer and make sure the mixture gets to the proper temperature (listed in my recipe). Hope that helps!