No Bake Cookies (Without Peanut Butter)

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/21/24
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
No Bake Cookies Without Peanut Butter

The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Prep: 8 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Chill: 15 mins
Total: 28 mins
Servings: 36 cookies
Yield: 36 cookies

It's possible to make buttery, sweet, and chewy chocolate fudge cookies in just a few minutes on the stovetop. These quick cookies are the perfect treat when you don't want to crank up the oven, and they're super fun to make with kids.

Many no-bake cookies include peanut butter, but this recipe is for you if you have a nut allergy in the house or are just aren't in the mood for a nutty dessert. Here, a stick of butter is used in place of the peanut butter. This treat can also be gluten-free if you use gluten-free oats, and it is also egg-free.

What You'll Need To Make No-Bake Cookies

  • Granulated sugar—The sugar in this recipe helps the cookies stick together, so don't be tempted to reduce the amount or use a sugar substitute.
  • Unsalted butter—In this peanut butter-free version of the no-bake cookie, butter stands in for the peanut butter, adding richness and flavor to the cookies. You can use salted butter if that's what you have on hand.
  • Milk—If desired, you can use a nondairy milk, such as oat milk or soy milk, instead of regular milk.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder—Cocoa powder, not chocolate, gives these cookies their rich chocolate flavor.
  • Quick cooking rolled oats—The main ingredient, rolled oats provide texture. Feel free to use certified gluten-free oats instead.

Tips for Making No-Bake Cookies

  • Boil for 3 minutes—Be sure to wait until the chocolate mixture is at a full rolling boil and then set a timer for three minutes while stirring continuously. This is the secret to making your no bake cookies set up properly every time.
  • Substitute old-fashioned oats—It is possible to make no-bake cookies with old fashioned oats instead of quick-cooking. If you do use old fashioned oats, allow the mixture to cool in the saucepan for 5 minutes before dropping the cookies on the baking sheets. This gives the oats a little time to soften in the chocolate mixture.
What You'll Need to Make This No Bake Cookie Recipe
Commerce Photo Composite
A Sheet of Parchment Paper
Caraway Baking Sheet
A Great Baking Sheet
Commerce Photo Composite
A Nice Large Saucepan

"The no-bake cookies were excellent, and they were ready within 30 minutes. I usually make no-bake cookies with peanut butter, but even without it, they are delicious, and the chocolate stands out. No-bake cookies are the perfect quick and easy treat when you have a chocolate craving!" —Diana Rattray

chocolate no-bake cookies without peanut butter
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

  • 1/2 cup milk

  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

  • 3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats, uncooked

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    No Bake Cookies Without Peanut Butter ingredients

    Kristina Vanni

  2. Line baking sheets with waxed paper and set aside. (Parchment paper or non-stick foil also work instead of waxed paper for no bake cookies.)

    baking sheet lined with parchment paper

    Kristina Vanni

  3. In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/4 teaspoon fine salt.

    sugar, unsalted butter, milk, cocoa powder, and salt in a sauce pan

    Kristina Vanni

  4. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.

    sugar, unsalted butter, milk, cocoa powder, and salt over heat in pan

    Kristina Vanni

  5. Continue to boil for three minutes.

    sugar, unsalted butter, milk, cocoa powder, and salt boiling in pan with wooden spoon

    Kristina Vanni

  6. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in 3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats.

    sugar, unsalted butter, milk, cocoa powder, and salt melted in pan with oats being stirred in with wooden spoon

    Kristina Vanni

  7. Drop by spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Allow to sit at room temperature to firm up.

    No Bake Cookies Without Peanut Butter being spooned onto the prepared baking sheet

    Kristina Vanni

  8. It takes about 45 minutes for no bake cookies to set up at room temperature. No bake cookies can also be placed in the fridge and will firm up in about 15 minutes.

    No Bake Cookies Without Peanut Butter resting on baking sheet to set up firm

    Kristina Vanni

  9. Once firm, peel the set cookies from the waxed paper and store in an airtight container. 

    No Bake Cookies Without Peanut Butter being transferred to a plastic airtight storage container

    Kristina Vanni

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Stir in mix-ins—Simple mix-ins like coconut flakes, chopped toasted walnuts, sprinkles, and chocolate chips can be folded into the batter just before spooning out.
  • Add espresso powder—Intensify the chocolate flavor with about 1/4 teaspoon of espresso powder.
  • Add vanilla—Add a splash of vanilla extract to the chocolate mixture just before you add the oats.

How To Store

No-bake cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week and in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.


No-bake cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To defrost, place the cookies in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Why didn’t my no bake cookies set?

If your no bake cookies didn't set, one reason could be because you didn't allow the sugar and butter mixture to come to a full, rolling boil for the specified amount of time. This temperature and duration allows the sugars to caramelize enough to bind together to form a no-bake cookie. Also, make sure you don't reduce the amount of sugar in these cookies or they won't set up properly.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
96 Calories
3g Fat
16g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 36
Amount per serving
Calories 96
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Sodium 19mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 30mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)