I am calling these… Okay-so-it-is-not-the-same-as-Mom’s-but-my-kid-still-likes-them-count-your-blessings No-bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.
I am not going to pretend that this is a “healthy” cookie, although oatmeal is a pretty good thing. But the idea here is to transform these nostalgic favorites into a something that will be compatible with a special diet.
Today’s objectives:
- Keep sweetness and flavors
- Remove lactose
- Remove refined sugar
The original cookies can be modified any way you like. They are already gluten-free, as long as all of your vanilla and oats are gf. Try replacing replacing milk with coconut milk for a dairy-free version. These ingredients are very forgiving and can be manipulated, substituted, and modified multiple ways.
The point is… if you are living with a special diet, you can still have some form of Mom’s cookies.
Baby sister called Mom’s no-bakes Crummy Cookies (as in “crumbly”) because you couldn’t eat them without buttery fudgy sweet crumbs falling off. When Mom melted chocolate, butter, and sugar for these, rich chocolate aroma goodness filled the house. Then they would be spooned onto buttered parchment. I am pretty sure we never waited for them to set up. We scooped them up with spoons. But the cookies that survived were delightful! … buttery on the bottom, sweet, and messy.
Below the modified version is Mom’s recipe… I think it is possible that she used more sugar than similar recipes. She really likes sugar. But you can opt to make a somewhat healthier version… to follow is one way… I am thinking that this can only mean more cookies!
Okay-so-it-is-not-the-same-as-Mom’s-but-my-kid-still-likes-them-count-your-blessings…
No-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
When you take out refined sugar and replace it with honey, you lose the crumbly texture and some sweetness, but you get to keep chocolate fudge taste and texture.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 stick organic butter – no rBGH
- 5 T cocoa powder
- 1/2 c honey
- 1/4 c organic lactose-free milk (lactose-free milk adds sweetness)
- 1 t vanilla, gluten free
- 1/4 c peanuts-only peanut butter
- 2 c rolled oats
- Optional: chopped nuts, any kind you like… recommended
Method
Prepare a parchment covered cookie sheet. Set aside.
Melt butter in a pot on the stove-top. Add cocoa powder, honey, and milk. Blend well. Heat well, stirring frequently so it does not stick or burn. Remove from heat. Quickly add vanilla and peanut butter. Stir to combine thoroughly. Add oats. Add nuts, if desired. Combine quickly and thoroughly. While it is still hot and pliable, spoon out gooey globs onto parchment.
Enjoy!
Original Recipe
Mom’s No-bake Crummy Cookies
We occasionally make these nostalgic cookies in their original form too. They get changed up all the time. Using whole unprocessed ingredients makes me feel much better. 🙂 And I think it makes the cookies taste their best too.
Ingredients:
- 1 stick butter
- 2 c sugar – (note: 100% cane sugar is nonGMO)
- 4 T cocoa powder
- 1/2 c milk
- 1 t vanilla
- 1/4 c peanut butter – or sunbutter, or another nut butter
- 3 c quick oats
- Optional: chopped nuts, any kind you like.
Method
Prepare a parchment covered cookie sheet. Smear or brush on butter. Set aside.
Melt butter in a pot on the stove-top. Add cocoa powder, honey, and milk. Blend well. Heat well, stirring frequently so it does not stick or burn. Bring temperature up to a boil and cook for exactly one minute. Remove from heat. Quickly add vanilla and peanut butter. Stir to combine thoroughly. Add oats. Add nuts, if desired. Combine quickly and thoroughly. While it is still hot and pliable, spoon out gooey globs onto parchment.