No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Have been making these for decades, but these are not the easiest to make set up correctly every time--but they still taste good. Many factors affect how they set up: heat, humidity, how long and hot you boil it, how long you stir it after boiling, what kind of oatmeal, etc, and it's important to work quickly after the boil timer is up. I always set a timer for boiling. After boiling stir in just the oatmeal and only 3 cups of oatmeal, stirring quickly for 2 minutes--and if it is not somewhat less shiny add another 1/2 cup oatmeal. (But I've had it already trying to set up at this point, too, and then they are too dry--I don't know how to fix it when it does this.) Then add peanut butter, and if desired chopped nuts and/or coconut or cereal, stirring quickly before dropping on waxed paper. Hope this helps some who have been having this set up too moist or dry... this really is a rather difficult recipe but even when it flops it still tastes good.

JUST LIKE MOM USED TO MAKE! I allow it to boil for only 30-40 seconds, otherwise the cookies are dried out. This makes slightly gooey cookies once they've set up - an awesome texture right out of the friedge. I always add a handful of shredded coconut (1/3C or so). Fun to throw in nuts, and even a few marshmallows at the very end. Versatile and tasty as ever. BEWARE: I've gained 4lbs since finding this recipe last month. :)

I love this cookie recipe! It has been one of my favorites for when I have a sweet tooth and need something quick! You can also add a little bit of coconut (1/4 cup) to it if you want, but they are delicious without!

I just made these and they are delicious! It is just my husband and myself, so I halved everything for the recipe, and it was still great. We used chunky peanut butter and they turned out perfect for us. To try something out, I crushed up some pretzels when there was about a cup and a half of batter left just to see what it would taste like. I mixed the pretzels in with the remaining batter, and spooned them on wax paper. Now I wish I had mixed pretzels in with the entire batch! :) They were delicious! Thank you so much for posting this recipe!!!! :)

Jenny, I too over the years have had trouble with this recipe not turning out every time. I have found if you consistently use real butter or parkay margarine and evaporated milk, bring to boil on medium heat and then cook only 1 minute more mine turn out every time. These tricks have helped me hope they work for you too. Also mom used about a 1/4 less oatmeal this helped the cookies to be a bit thinner and spread out to look like a cookie. I read somewhere once that the weather can affect them also.