Secret To No Bake Cookies – How To Get Them To Set Up

If you have ever made Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies, you will know that there is a specific method (and a secret or two) that you must follow to get them to turn out perfect every time.

Otherwise the cookies may be too runny and not set up at all. Or they become so dry and crumbly that they are nearly impossible to eat.

However, once you know the correct method and follow a few simple tips, they are actually very easy to make. In fact, when you follow the instructions below, you will have two dozen cookies made in less than 15 minutes.

Of course, you will have to wait for them to cool and set before you can take the first bite. However, it won’t take long before you will be enjoying a delicious treat that will crave any sweet tooth that you might have.

These classic cookies are the perfect summertime treat. Because there is no baking required, the kitchen will stay nice and cool.

However, they also make a great addition to any Christmas Cookie Tray. In fact, they are always the first cookie to disappear off any plate that enters our home.

Not to mention that they make a great bake sale item. That is because you can make several dozen cookies in a short amount of time.

However, if you want them to turn out perfect every time, be sure to follow not only the recipe, but the tips below.

The Secrets To Making Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

1. Measure The Ingredients Before Starting The Recipe

Before starting this recipe be sure to measure out all of the ingredients ahead of time. This recipe comes together very quickly and there will be no time for measuring during the process.

Start by measuring the first four ingredients and place them in a medium sauce pan. However, do not turn the burner on until the other ingredients are measured.

In a large measuring bowl add the quick cook oats. Be sure to use quick cook oats and not old fashioned oatmeal for the best texture.

Then measure 1 cup of peanut butter in a push measuring cup. The push measuring cup allows you to push out the measured peanut butter in seconds with no residual peanut butter on the inside of the cup.

This will save you valuable time because you won’t have to scrape out the inside of a traditional measuring cup trying to get the exact amount of peanut butter required.

I also use this same measuring cup when it comes to measuring anything thick or sticky. Sour cream, mayonnaise, honey, molasses or anything with a similar consistency will come out with very little effort.

Finally, measure out the vanilla and place it a small bowl. Now you are ready to start making the chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies.

2. Boil The Mixture For Exactly 1 Minute 15 Seconds

The biggest secret when it comes to making no bake cookies is to allow the mixture to boil for exactly 1 minute 15 seconds. It is ideal to program a timer for that exact time before even turning on the burner.

However, you must let the liquid come to a full boil before starting the timer.

When you first see bubbles on the side of the pot, stir constantly. The boiling will stop as you stir.

As the mixture continues to heat up, it will come to a full rolling boil, even when stirred. Once it reaches a full boil immediately start the timer.

When the time is up, immediately remove the pot from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients.

3. Don’t Make No Bake Cookies On A Humid or Rainy Day

Just like with many baking recipes you don’t want to make this recipe on a humid or rainy day. The excessive moisture in the air will cause your fail-proof method of making cookies to not set up properly.

I am not saying that it can’t work. However, the exact boiling time will no longer be effective.

You will need to increase the cook time. Although you will have to guess how much because it will depend on the amount of humidity in the air.

Therefore, if you live in an area where the weather changes constantly, it is best to wait until a non-rainy day. However, if you live in an area that constantly rains or drizzles for months, you will have to decide how much to increase the cook time that will allow the cookies to set properly.

Chocolate and/or Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

This recipe gives you the instructions and secrets on how to make the classic chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies. However, you could skip the chocolate and make Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies.

Believe me they are just as good as the original classic cookies. And for some people, they are the preferred cookie of choice.

The only modification to the recipe is to omit the coca powder. Then proceed with the instructions as written.

Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe

*Complete recipe instructions including specific measurements, cook temperatures and times are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to keep reading for helpful tips and tricks when making this recipe.

Yields: approximately 2 dozen cookies

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 cups quick cook oats
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepare two baking sheets and line them with wax paper. Then measure out the peanut butter, oats and vanilla and set aside.

Then in a medium sauce pan, add the stick of butter, sugar, milk and cocoa powder. Place the sauce pan over medium heat.

Bring the mixture in the sauce pan to a rolling boil. Once it is at a full boil start a timer that is set for exactly 1 minute and 15 seconds, stirring constantly. Remember, this is the key secret when making no bake cookies.

As soon as the timer goes off, remove the pan from the heat and set on a hot pad away from the heat source.

Quickly add in the pre-measured peanut butter and stir until it melts. Then working swiftly stir in the quick cook oats.

Finally, add in the pure vanilla extract and stir until the oats are well coated.

Using two large kitchen tablespoons, scoop out the mixture and drop them onto the baking sheets lined with wax paper. The size of the no bake cookies is totally up to you.

Let the cookies cool for 30 minutes or until hard and set. Store cookies in an air-tight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Cookies may be frozen for up to 3 months.

Enjoy!

Mary and Jim

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.

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