No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Photo from Cosmopolitan.com

Recently I have been playing around with recipes because I just wanted something chocolatey with oatmeal! And this recipe was really simple and fast and required no baking (SCORE for those who don't want to heat up their kitchen when it's hot outside).

So I saw this recipe on the Cosmopolitan website and thought it would be worth a shot. Here is the link to the original website: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/relationship-advice/katie-lee-joel-recipes-3

Ingredients (with my suggestions!)

2 c. sugar
8 T (1 stick) unsalted butter (I used margarine)
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1/2 c. milk
1 t. pure vanilla extract
1/2 c. peanut butter, creamy or crunchy (I used natural peanut butter with no salt)
2 1/2 to 3 c. rolled oats (just use 2 1/2 if you want to do this the same as me!)
***1/4-1/2 c. shredded coconut

Makes 30 cookies

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, cocoa, milk, and vanilla. Bring to a slow boil, and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in the peanut butter. Remove from the heat. Stir in 2 1/2 c. oats. The mixture should be thick. Add the remaining 1/2 c. oats if necessary (or coconut if you prefer).

2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Drop the mixture by the heaping tablespoonful onto the parchment. Allow the cookies to firm up at room temperature, about one hour (mine took more than an hour to firm up).


These are delicious and satisfying! Not for those who want a fluffy cookie. I found mine turned out a bit like macaroons compared to the photo the website showed, but still really good! Give it a try if you've got time!