I consider myself to be a pretty good cook. I’m not bragging. I’m simply stating that I really enjoy cooking, I can throw together meals and snacks quite efficiently, and when people eat my food, they often say, “Yum, this is good.”
But for the life of me, I can’t make a No-Bake Cookie. It’s the recipe most ten year olds can make and the cookie even those who hate cooking can create without issue. But me? I can’t get a No-Bake Cookie to turn out no matter what I try. I’ve turned that job over to our 16 year old because he has the method down pat and makes perfect No-Bake Cookies nine times out of ten (even though I think he’s really only made them six times in his life but who’s counting?).
So would you believe that last week, while I was making a batch of Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola – I turned out a perfect batch of No-Bake Cookies?! Yes. I cannot make them when I try, but when I’m trying to make something different, I actually master the blasted cookie. So let’s review:
1. I stink at making No-Bake Cookies. I have attempted making them at least 14 times in my life and have had success…never.
2. Asa is great at making No-Bake Cookies. The job is his.
3. A few weeks ago, Asa was making No-Bake Cookies but they got crumbly so we turned the mixture into Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola. That was his one time out of ten (or six or whatever) that he didn’t get them perfect.
4. The granola was delicious, I reduced the sugar and posted the recipe because everyone needed to have access to it.
5. I then tried making the granola again, and turned out the best No-Bake Cookies ever.
Unbelievable. You’ve got to love the lame irony. But hey, we’re talking about peanut butter, chocolate, oats, butter, and vanilla – all favorite ingredients of mine. I’m not whining too loudly.
So just in case you want to make Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola, but end up with No-Bake Cookies, I will share with you how I solved my “problem.” I added a few extra oats to soak up the liquid (which did not help the mixture turn into granola – just really oaty cookies). Then I spread the mixture on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and baked it at 250° for one hour, stirring occasionally. The granola got nice and crispy (and made my house smell amazing).
I will now go edit the Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola recipe page to share these suggestions in case you too accidentally find yourself with No-Bake Cookies. If only all mistakes in the kitchen were this delicious. :)
How are you at making No Bake Cookies? I think I might be the only person on the planet who can’t make them. ;)
Debrah says
Don’t feel bad. I can’t make an edible tuna noodle casserole (but my mom can), and my mom cannot make homemade brownies (and I can). But we both use the same recipes!
Simone says
Wow! So glad to meet someone like me….I find it strange that I can make something that I can make something very ‘skilled’ but have a horrible time with rice crispie/ or puffed wheat squares. It usually goes better with the help of my 6 year old niece.
Also, it made me feel so much better when I saw a man on a cooking show proclaim that the first pancake always is a flop (I always thought it was just me) HA!
Lauren says
It’s hit or miss at our house, though we tend to make ours without peanut butter. They suit our tastes much better that way. My husband especially enjoys making them, though half of the time his don’t set up, but we can eat them with a spoon!
I’d found myself making several batches in a row successfully, so he handed the job over to me. Then, out of the blue I began having a hard time with them too, and it was like yours, more like granola.
Steph says
I learned how to make no-bake cookies when I was in middle school and made them constantly for my friends (Well, at least 4-6x/year). Starting in my senior year of high school, something changed and they never turned out again! I had wondered if it was the ingredients…when I lived with my parents, we only had margarine, 2% milk, Jif peanut butter and quick cooking oats. Although if Asa can make them and you can’t maybe it’s not the ingredients. The only other idea I had was that somewhere along the line, I started being less careful about the cooking time and type of boil (no candy thermometer at our house). Maybe when you first set out to make granola, you unwittingly hit the correct boil/time combo :)
Anyway, I used to LOVE them and will have to try again–I know they’re awesome even in granola form. Thanks!
Hal from Swagbucks says
I’ve never tried to make no-bake cookies, but I’m intrigued. Also, this sounds a lot like the story of Silly Putty. Trying to make one thing, wind up make something awesome.
Kristin says
I feel your frustration! I have never been able to make Rice Krispie Treats, but have no problems with say chocolate souffle cake. My husband on the other hand has a repertoire of grilled cheese and can turn out perfect Rice Krispie Treats. Speaking of marshmallows, I’m off to go make a batch of graham crackers. My 2 older girls are camping in the back yard Saturday with Daddy as an end of the school year celebration and hot dogs and s’mores are on the menu. I even made a batch of homemade refrigerator pickles, for Chicago style dogs. Yum!
Melissa says
I add a couple of tablespoons coconut oil to your “mudball” recipe, drop it on wax paper, chill and call those no bake cookies. I also add probably 1/4c each ground flax, chia seeds, and ground walnuts. They are awesome! Next time I make them I’m going to just put in a pan to make granola bars. I have also used cooked millet in place of the oatmeal and my husband couldn’t tell and he says he doesn’t like millett!! Thanks for all the great recipes!!
Tiffany says
I would like to help you, Laura, what exactly doesn’t work with your no bake cookies? You just said several times that they just don’t turn out. If you could describe your problem more specifically, I might be able to help you troubleshoot.
Candace says
i have changed the ingredients to healthier ingredients and they still work. this is the recipe i use:
1 stick butter
2 c. sugar (i use demerara)
3 T. cocoa
1/2 c. milk (i use rice milk)
3 c. oats
1/2 c. peanut butter
combine butter, sugar,cocoa, and milk. bring this mixture to a full boil. when it’s boiling pretty good, start your timer for 3 minutes. i think the 3 minutes boiling is the key to the recipe. if you under boil, they are gooey. if you over boil, they are crumbly. remove pot from heat and stir in peanut butter to melt. then add your oats. mix well and drop onto was paper. i’ve been making them for years and they always set. it might take a little longer if it’s humid, but you shouldn’t have a problem otherwise.
Melissa says
I figure you’re using the traditional recipe that everyone has from either the oatmeal or cocoa canister. I’ve had the epic failure before, too. Here’s my mortal enemy when making these cookies (my Daddy’s favorite): water. Every pot and utensil must be completely dry. Even a drop of water will make it break apart. I also use old fashioned oats for a toothier bite and because they absorb the moisture from the butter/sugar mixture more slowly than quick oats so it’s less likely to be too dry to stick together.