Preacher Cookies {No Bake}
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These No-Bake Preacher Cookies may have been in our family for years, but they are still melt in your mouth delicious every time you make them!
You’ve probably heard of these cookies or even tasted them at a barbeque or potluck. It’s an oldie but goodie recipe, and SO easy to make.
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One reason Preacher Cookies are my favorite is the irresistible combination of chocolate and peanut butter. But I’m not the only one who loves them – these tasty treats are one of my most-requested cookies to take to parties.
And as a mom whose children always requested things at the last minute, these no bake cookies were a lifesaver for class snacks, bake sales and team dinners. They also make for an easy afternoon snack.
Why Are They Called Preacher Cookies?
While I can’t verify 100%, I’ve heard in days gone by preachers would often show up unexpectedly at congregation member’s homes. The lady of the house would feel compelled to serve a little treat to the visiting clergyman.
These cookies were an obvious choice because they are easy to make, don’t require baking and are made with pantry staples.
If you are new to the recipe you may call them no-bake cookies or no-bake oatmeal cookies. Even local grocery stores have started stocking their bakery racks with these.
But save your money – the grocery store version is NOWHERE NEAR as good as the homemade ones! Frankly, if you were to try the store-bought preacher cookies before you had the homemade ones, you probably wouldn’t even like them.
Ingredients for No Bake Preacher Cookies
Salted Butter
Granulated Sugar
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – this is my favorite high-quality brand
Milk
Peanut Butter – I would recommend the smooth kind only because I haven’t tested this recipe with crunchy.
Vanilla
Quick Cooking Oats
Kitchen Tools Needed:
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cup
- Saucepan
- Baking Pans
- Wax or Parchment Paper
- Cookie Scoop or spoon
How To Make the Best Preacher Cookies
Step 1 – Go ahead and line your baking pans or cookie sheets so they are ready to drop the cookies on.
Step 2 – Start by adding the oats, peanut butter, and vanilla to a bowl and set aside. Don’t mix these just yet.
Step 3 – Grab your favorite saucepan and mix together the butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder.
Step 4 – Bring the ingredients to a rolling boil and let them boil for 1 minute.
Step 5 – After one minute, take the pan off the stove and stir in the oat mixture you set aside earlier. Stir quickly until everything is mixed together.
Step 6 – Drop the cookies onto the baking pans using a cookie scoop or two spoons.
Step 7 – Let the cookies cool and set up before serving. If they aren’t setting up as quickly as you would like, pop the tray in the refrigerator for a couple of minutes.
Tips for Making, Storing, and Freezing
- Have all your kitchen gadgets out and ready, along with your ingredients measured. This cookie recipe goes pretty fast once you get started.
- Set a timer so you don’t overcook the butter and sugar mixture. Your cookies will be crumbly if you boil too long.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the fridge once they have cooled.
- To freeze, place cookies in a single layer in a freezer bag. If you have more than one layer, add parchment paper in between the layers.
- To thaw, allow the cookies to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
More No-Bake Treats You Can’t Resist:
- Cornflake Wreaths {No Bake}
- Chocolate Oreo Lasagna
- Candy Cane Pie
- Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Bites
- S’mores Rice Krispie Treats {No Bake}
- Lemonade Pie Recipe (No-Bake, 4 Ingredients)
- Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
- Fluffy Marshmallow Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
** Pin the Preacher Cookie Recipe for Later**
Preacher Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter, cut into 8 pieces
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup 2% milk
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
Instructions
- Line 2 large baking pans with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Measure oats, peanut butter, and vanilla into a medium bowl (don’t mix) and set aside.
- Add butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk in a large saucepan and stir to combine
- Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 1 minute (set a timer).
- Remove pan from heat. Add oats, vanilla, and peanut butter to the chocolate mixture and quickly stir until combined.
- Using a medium cookie scoop or 2 spoons, drop cookie mixture onto prepared pans.
- Allow to set until cooled and firm (about 30 minutes).
Notes
- Set a timer for 1 minute so you don’t overcook the butter & sugar mixture.
- If cookies aren’t setting up, pop in the frig until set.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
Perfect and yummy!
So glad you liked them, Gretchen!
Very good recipe for these no bake cookies. I’ve tried other recipes but they were not as good. Next I’m going to make these without chocolate but add coconut and peanut butter.
So glad you liked these Renee. Would love to hear how the coconut peanut butter version comes out.