I love baking, but sometimes I just don’t have the time or energy to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s where no bake cookies come in handy. They’re quick, easy, and require no oven time. Today, I want to share with you a simple recipe for no bake cookies that you can make in the microwave. Trust me, once you try these cookies, you’ll be hooked!
Gather the Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s gather the ingredients we’ll need for these delicious cookies:
– 1 cup of granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup of milk
– 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
– 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter
– 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
– 3 cups of quick oats
Make sure you have all these ingredients on hand before you begin. This will save you time and avoid any last-minute trips to the grocery store.
Microwave Instructions
Now that we have all our ingredients lined up and ready, let’s jump right into making these fantastic no bake cookies.
1. Prepare a Microwave-Safe Bowl
Start by selecting a microwave-safe bowl. Make sure it’s big enough to hold all the ingredients. You don’t want your cookie mixture overflowing and making a mess in your microwave!
2. Mix the Sugar, Milk, Cocoa Powder, and Butter
In the selected bowl, combine the granulated sugar, milk, cocoa powder, and unsalted butter. Stir everything together until well mixed. You want the butter to melt and blend with the other ingredients for a smooth consistency.
3. Microwave in Intervals
Place the microwave-safe bowl with the mixture into the microwave. Set the microwave to medium heat and heat the mixture for about three minutes. After each minute, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and give the mixture a good stir. This will ensure that everything is heating consistently and prevent any burning.
4. Add the Peanut Butter and Vanilla Extract
Once the mixture is warmed through and the butter has melted completely, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave. Add the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract to the bowl. Stir until the peanut butter is fully incorporated into the mixture and you can’t see any streaks.
5. Mix in the Quick Oats
Now it’s time to add the star ingredient – the quick oats. Gradually add in the oats, stirring well after each addition. Make sure all the oats are coated in the chocolatey goodness. The mixture will start to thicken as you add the oats, and that’s exactly what you want.
6. Shape and Cool the Cookies
Once all the oats are mixed in, it’s time to shape your cookies. Take spoon-sized scoops of the mixture and drop them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Alternatively, you can use a cookie scoop or shape them into balls with your hands.
7. Let Them Set
Once you’ve shaped all the cookies, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. This will allow them to firm up and become the perfect consistency.
Now, you have a delicious batch of no bake cookies made entirely in the microwave. They’re chewy, chocolatey, and packed with peanut butter goodness. It’s hard to resist just one!
Remember, you can always adjust the recipe to suit your taste. Feel free to add some chopped nuts, dried fruits, or even mini chocolate chips to the mixture for additional flavor and texture.
No bake cookies in the microwave are perfect for when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Plus, it’s a fun and easy recipe to involve your kids in. So, grab your ingredients, get creative, and enjoy these delightful treats without breaking a sweat!