Cookie Calendar: Fudgy No-Bake Cookies

Christmas is creeping up on us, and if baking looks like an ever-fainter possibility for you, you might be in the market for some quick-to-whip-up no-bake cookies.

I remember having a recipe for Fudgy No-Bake Cookies on a recipe card that came in a novel or with a baking set at some point in my childhood. Who knows where that ended up. I remember the basics, though: chocolate, oats, and peanut butter.

You might never guess these cookies had peanut butter, with the way chocolate dominates the flavor. This particular iteration I found on Allrecipes, which seemed closest to what I remembered, calls for chunky peanut butter, but I think ours used smooth. The peanut butter adds richness and a kind of soft, grainy texture.

I've posted several no-bake recipes here, in part necessitated by lack of an oven last year. This recipe, like Rice Krispies Treats, is no bake but not no cook; if you want to stay far from the kitchen, try Holiday Rum Balls or Booze Balls.

Fudgy No-Bake Cookies
Source: Adapted from Allrecipes
Yield: 36 cookies

2 cups white sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
3 cups quick cooking oats

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, cocoa, milk and margarine. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, peanut butter and oats.

2. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Allow cookies to cool for at least 1 hour. Store in an airtight container.