The following “CHEW THIS!” column originally appeared a in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News” as well as other publications. Check their websites for further information or write to me for more details as to where this can be viewed.
Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
I have and always will, love a good “no bake” recipe. Especially when it comes to desserts. There are so many “no bake” appetizers out there, that I could literally make an entire meal out of them for several meals for several weeks. But, somehow when it comes to “no bake” desserts, things are bit different. I can not tell you many many times I have come across a “no bake” recipe only for their to be actual baking involved! Yes, this recipe is made on the stove top with heat. I do not consider that “baking” by any means. It is simply when something goes into the oven, to me anyways, that the entire “no bake” idea goes out the window. If something goes into the oven, I do not care for how long, it is baking. I will see “no bake” cheesecakes, where you still have to bake the crust! Sorry, that, like I said to me anyways, is not “no bake”.
A good “no bake” recipe will be something that is sometimes light and airy, full of flavor and made with little effort or much organization. I love chocolate and peanut butter no bake cookies. I remember them well from my high school days at Knightstown. Sometimes they would be hard like rocks and crumble into a million pieces, while other times they were so soft and gooey that you had to literally eat them off of their parchment paper with a fork. What I found humorous in the whole thing was how there was really no in between either. They were either too hard to too soft. But, let me tell you, they were still delicious either way! Well, over the years I have met people who like their no bake cookies to be all chocolate, or all pean ut butter. The thought of having one without the other blew my mind, so I decided to try them and let me tell you, they were delicious! Today, I am sharing with everyone the peanut butter only version of the no bake cookie. They are really delicious and hit the spot when craving something sweet!
Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
1 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 1/4 cups quick cooking oats
Start by lining 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Combine the white granulated sugar, unsalted butter and whole milk over medium high heat and stir constantly until everything is melted and combined.
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once at a full boil, let boil without stirring for about 60 seconds.
Remove from heat and stir in the smooth peanut butter, pure vanilla extract, salt and quick cooking oats.
Dollop out large tablespoon size amounts onto the prepared baking sheets. Allow to firm and set up for about an hour.
Enjoy!
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