No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Two years ago while traveling to Ohio for our annual Christmas vacation Mr. Sideline Chef had pulled into a gas station somewhere in Kentucky. On the side of the road I had seen a sight that was foreign to me. An Amish couple was selling canned goods and other items such as aprons and rugs. They also had their horse and buggy.
I couldn't wait to get out of the truck and see what they had for sale. I bundled myself and itty bitty up and walked to the corner. As we approached, itty bitty who was 18 months old at the time got a glimpse of the horse and was so excited. We stood admiring the horse for a couple of minutes. The couple smiled and approached us with a bag of no bake cookies for itty bitty.

We made it over to their stand and after looking at all of the various items for sale I ended up picking up a jar of apple butter for Mr. Sideline Chef's grandma. I tried to pay them for the cookies as well but they simply wouldn't take it. It was such a generous act of kindness. I don't believe it was just because of the Christmas spirit but because their hearts were that warm and full of love.

Itty bitty nibbled on the cookies over the next day and a half and loved every last bite of them. I tried a bite and decided it wasn't a cookie I liked. Mr. Sideline Chef liked them though. It's just me. I don't get giddy over cookies.

6 months ago I had won a giveaway for Nordic Ware's The Great Cookie Book and it just arrived in the mail yesterday. Better late than never. Although I had forgot about it since I figured the lady had forgotten about the giveaway and mailing it. Imagine my surprise when I received a package and had no clue what it was.

I came across a recipe for No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, had all of the ingredients, and knew that I needed to make these. Not only for itty bitty and Mr. Sideline Chef but to see if I liked no bake cookies.

Sure enough, I do! Easy to make, easy clean up, and even tastier to eat. What's not to love? The peanut butter and chocolate in these cookies is a classic combination. A sure win!

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Nordic Ware: The Great Cookie Book: 50 Recipes for All Occasions

Makes 24 Cookies

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 stick of butter
• 2 cups sugar - I used splenda since that is what I had on hand.
• 1/2 cup milk - I used skim milk.
• 4 baking chocolate squares - I used unsweetened baking chocolate squares.
• 3 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup peanut butter - Homemade! Yummy! 
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

And Action:

In a large saucepan add the first 4 ingredients and bring to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.

Stir in the remaining ingredients and drop by tablespoonfuls on waxed paper.

Cool until set.

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Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a 12 pack of Element Bars! Giveaway ends Monday, May 23, 2011 @ 5:00 a.m. when the winner will be announced.