Favorite cookies
If there was one cookie that I have loved since childhood, it would be the no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies. It was the recipe that took little fuss or skill. After all, you practically dumped everything in a pot and stood watch, spoon in hand, making sure everything melted and boiled properly.
Back in the day, when school parties came around, this was the cookie that always showed up. There were a couple of mom’s in our group that made them the best. It was their responsibility to see that these cookies made it safely to school and to the hands that would devour them. No school party would be complete without them!
There was one catch in making these cookies
If you didn’t boil them long enough, you ended up with grainy cookies from the sugar not thoroughly melting. If you boiled them too long, the cookies would setup too quickly before you could get them out of the pot, and the cookies would crumble. Who wants a grainy cookie or one that crumbles! Somewhere in the middle was that sweet spot where they were creamy and smooth. You knew they were right when the chocolate glistened!
These cookies from childhood were not guilt-free though. Unfortunately, the old recipe called for 2 cups of sugar! Now if you are under the age of 25 or over the age of 70, that’s not a big deal. If you are over 25 like me, it’s harder to look the other way and pretend like you didn’t just pour 2 cups of that white stuff in your pot. They’re so good though. . . I know, I hear you!
Guilt-Free Cookies
In the spirit of re-creating this cookie to make it guilt-free, a few changes were made. The oats are swapped out for organic, non-GMO quick oats. The butter is replaced with coconut oil. Last, but not least, exchange 2 cups of sugar for. . . deep breath. . .honey!
The first time I tried this guilt-free version cookie, I admit that I wasn’t expecting much. I had already decided there was no way they would actually taste good. As you now know, these cookies go way back in my history. Surprisingly, they tasted amazing and were very satisfying!
What I noticed about this new guilt-free cookie compared to the old one:
- Reduced cooking time!
- Ingredients are easy to melt without boiling!
- You can take your time getting them out of the pot to your wax or parchment paper.
- They don’t setup like concrete allowing you to shape them as you like.
- Satisfy your craving.
- Healthier ingredients.
- No processed sugar.
- No guilt if you enjoy a few.
You really must try this guilt-free version of the old classic. It totally satisfies a chocolate craving! Eating just a couple of them will leave you totally satisfied. To me, the old recipe had the opposite effect. You just couldn’t stop gobbling them up. Perhaps the coconut oil combined with the other healthy ingredients just simply satisfies. And that’s a very good thing!
Guilt-Free No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup of honey (your taste preference)
- 1 cup of Santa Cruz organic crunchy dark roasted peanut butter (or any organic peanut butter)
- 2 1/4 cups of quick gluten-free oats
- 6 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
Over low heat, melt your coconut oil, cocoa powder and peanut butter until smooth. At this point, I add honey and vanilla followed by the oats. Blend oats well. Line a cookie sheet and drop your cookies by the spoon size you prefer. The great thing about these cookies is you can shape them whatever size you like without them setting up too quickly.
Once on the cookie sheet, I place them in the freezer for about 10 minutes, then store in the refrigerator.
So, grab your apron and give these cookies a test run. Don’t be surprised if you love them!
Chocolate oatmeal kisses,
Lover Darlin’
