The No-Bake Cookie: A Simple Recipe from a Simple Man

Simple is the new complicated, at least as far as baking is concerned.

If there is one pastry that is omnipresent in Spokane coffee shops, it’s the No-Bake Cookie¹. Thus, whenever we’re in town, we pick one up – you know, in the name of science. You really don’t need to go out of your way to find the cookies, mind you, as no-baking them is simple. To wit…

Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted butter

• 2 cups granulated sugar (update: better stick with one)

• ½ cup whole milk

• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 3 cups quick-cook oats

• 1 pinch salt

The Steps

1. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder over high heat.

2. Stir until melted, then bring to a boil for 60 seconds. Don’t stir during boil.

3. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla extract, oats, and salt.

4. Scoop 2 tbsp spoonfuls onto a plate or baking sheet covered with parchment paper, tinfoil, or a Silpat.

Let the cookies cool for half an hour or so, and that’s it – instant coffee-shop goodness right at home.

A Note on Sugar

I truly don’t think these cookies require two full cups of sugar, though that likely is on par with what you find in most coffee shops. Cut it in half for less of a sweet punch.

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1. One can argue that a cookie isn’t a pastry, but it’s the best classification I can think of for a cookie that isn’t baked. (I.e., it can’t be considered baked goods either.)