My Classic No Bake Cookies feature high quality chopped chocolate bars (with an option for white or dark chocolate!), a mix of brown and white sugar, peanut butter, and a sprinkle of flaked sea salt to balance out all that sweet. They are delightfully old-fashioned, more like a candy than a cookie, and are such a special treat and perfect for adding to Christmas cookie boxes!
Recipe Background and Details
Did you grow up eating Classic No Bake Cookies? Well I didn't, but apparently everyone else in the world did. My husband introduced them to me. He had them often growing up and has such nice memories of making them with his cousins.
Sometimes called Preacher Cookies, Classic No Bake Cookies are traditionally a blend of sugar, butter, cocoa powder, milk, peanut butter, and oats. You cook it all in a saucepan and add the oats, then scoop them onto wax paper and let them set up at room temp.
I gave them a little update by making two flavors: white and dark chocolate, and by using real chopped chocolate, not cocoa powder, a mix of brown and white sugar, real, natural peanut butter, old fashioned oats, and of course, I added a sprinkle of flaked sea salt to balance out all that sweet.
This recipe was originally published July 21, 2020 and was updated December 15, 2023 with more body text and new photos.
Ingredients
Ingredients for No-Bake Cookies aka Preacher Cookies:
- butter: salted or unsalted - these cookies are sweet so they can handle the extra salt
- light brown sugar: I like the combo of brown and white in these cookies
- white granulated sugar: a classic sweetener in no bake cookies
- chopped white or dark chocolate (or use chips/chunks): I love to make 2 batches, one white and one dark especially when I'm making cookie boxes.
- whole milk: a little bit of liquid is needed to bring these together and get the right texture. I have never tried alternative milks but I imagine they would work just fine.
- peanut butter: I always use a natural peanut butter, either creamy or crunchy.
- vanilla extract: For an additional layer of flavor in these sweet little cookies.
- pinch of salt: As I wrote above, these are very sweet cookies, almost like a candy, and they can use the salt.
- oats: I like to make my no bake cookies with old fashioned oats but Quick Oats may be used. I do not recommend Instant Oats.
Instructions
I will show you both the white chocolate and the dark chocolate options. The process is the same for both.
How to make White Chocolate No Bake Cookies
Place sugars, milk, butter, and chopped white chocolate in a pan and bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring often. Once at a full rolling boil remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, followed by oats, salt, and vanilla.
Scoop onto wax paper and sprinkle with sea salt if desired. Allow to cool to room temperature. They will have a matte finish when cooled.
How to make Dark Chocolate No Bake Cookies
Place sugars, milk, butter, and chopped dark chocolate in a pan and bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring often. Once at a full rolling boil remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, followed by oats, salt, and vanilla.
Scoop onto wax paper and sprinkle with sea salt if desired. Allow to cool to room temperature. They will have a matte finish when cooled.
FAQ
If you add too much milk or not enough oats the cookies will not firm up at room temperature. Also, if you do not allow the sugars to come to a full rolling boil this can cause the finished cookie to not set up.
Yes, these Classic No Bake Cookies are made entirely on the stovetop with no oven required.
It takes about 20-30 minutes for these no bake cookies to harden at room temperature.
No Bake Cookies are called Preacher Cookies in the American South because they are so quick and easy to make that if the preacher popped by for a visit you could easily whip up a batch to enjoy during the visit.
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Classic No-Bake Cookies
My Classic No-Bake Cookies or Preacher Cookies are an updated version of the classic with an option for white or dark chocolate! Sweet and chewy and no oven required. Give these Classic No-Bake Cookies a try!
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 50-60 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter (4 ounces)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 cup chopped white or dark chocolate (or use chips/chunks)
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 3 ¼ cups old fashioned rolled oats
Instructions
- Add butter, sugars, white or dark chocolate, and milk to saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- Once at a full, rolling boil, remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until combined.
- Next, add vanilla, salt, and oats and mix thoroughly.
- Drop by tablespoons onto parchment or wax paper, sprinkle with sea salt (optional), and let cool to room temperature.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, refrigerated they will last longer.
Notes
Use creamy or chunky peanut butter for this
I always use salted butter, but unsalted will work just fine here.
I like to make two sizes especially when I'm adding these to Christmas Cookie Boxes as it just adds a fun bit of visual interest. I use a 2 tablespoon scoop and a 1 tablespoon scoop to create the two sizes.
This recipe was originally published July 21, 2020 and was updated December 15, 2023 with more body text and new photos.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: cookie, dessert
- Method: stovetop
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