The dark chocolate cocoa in these Dark Chocolate No Bake Cookies makes them even more rich and delicious!
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When I could not find my go-to no bake cookie recipe, I hit the internet to find it. It seems there are a million different versions of these cookies and a few ways to actually cook them to get the desired end result (dry vs. gooey). I found something close, but I knew a couple of the measurements were different than my original. I changed what I could remember, and got lucky! My version of these Dark Chocolate No Bake Cookies turned out perfect…in my opinion. Everyone has their favorite version of these, but I think this version may just be my *new* favorite!
It seems the large majority of people who make no bake cookies will boil the chocolate mixture to end up with a dryer cookie. Honestly, that probably is more cookie-like than the gooey version I prefer, but I just do not like them that way at all. I remember once, a coworker bringing some in and everyone was raving about how good they were. I think I was the only one who took one bite and could not finish it. Dry no bake cookies and me just don’t mix. If you like yours dry, you can still use this recipe, just boil the mixture for a minute or so rather than just melting things down, like I describe.
So then, what does gooey mean? The method I use won’t result in cookies that are so loose you can’t pick they up. Yes, they will be softer and more flexible and chewy, but that’s all good stuff, if you ask me! And yes, you may have a little more chocolate on your finger tips when you’re done, but just lick it off – it’s okay!
My 8-year-old son, Jaxon, loves dark chocolate and is the one who actually chose to make these using dark cocoa powder instead of regular cocoa powder this time around. This was the first time I have ever done this and I may never go back to regular cocoa powder again!
For most of Jaxon’s early years, it was just me and him. We did everything together and I have always loved making him special treats. So, it hurt my heart a little bit that he didn’t remember all the times we’ve made these cookies before (it’s been a couple years). He took one look at the finished product and told me that they looked gross and that he was not eating them. They are till chocolate cookies so of course he ate them! And he loved them, just like before! But, even after eating them, he still did not remember ever having them. Why can’t they remember every “special” moment we mothers do?
Guess I will just have to make them more often now!
Dark Chocolate No Bake Cookies
Prep!
It’s always a good idea to have your ingredients out and pre-measured. You will also need a saucepan, spoon, and baking sheet. I would recommend lining your baking sheet with wax paper or a Silpat mat, as well.
Create!
Add the sugar, milk, butter and dark cocoa powder to a saucepan over medium heat (for gooey cookies you do NOT want to let the mixture boil) until the butter melts.
Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract and stir until the peanut butter is blended into the chocolate mixture.
Remove from heat and add 3 cups of the oats. If the mixture still seems too runny, gradually add more oats until it’s a nice thick consistency. Drop by tablespoons onto wax paper and let cool until set.
Store in a tightly sealed container in the fridge!
Do you have a favorite version of no bake cookies? Are you a dry or gooey no bake cookie lover? Have you tried Dark Chocolate No Bake Cookies before? If not, I think you should! Let me know how it goes in the comments section or send me an email anytime!
Enjoy!
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Dark Chocolate No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 Cup milk *unsweetened almond milk works too!
- 1/2 Cup butter
- 1/2 Cup dark cocoa powder
- 1/2 Cup creamy peanut butter *natural works too!
- 3-4 Cups rolled oats *use Gluten Free if needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the sugar, milk, butter and dark cocoa powder to a saucepan over medium heat (for gooey cookies you do NOT want to let the mixture boil) until the butter melts.
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract and stir until the peanut butter is blended into the chocolate mixture. Remove from heat and add 3 cups of the oats. If the mixture still seems too runny, gradually add more oats until it's a nice thick consistency.
- Drop by tablespoons onto wax paper or Silpat Mat and let cool until set. Keep in a tightly sealed container in the fridge!
