Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1½ cups white sugar
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups quick oats
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Dash of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and measure all ingredients, spooning and leveling sugars and oats.
- Combine butter, milk, white sugar, and brown sugar in a medium saucepan.
- Heat over medium, stirring often until sugars dissolve and butter melts.
- Bring mixture to a rolling boil and let boil gently without stirring for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat.
- Stir in cocoa powder, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth and peanut butter melts.
- Quickly stir in quick oats until fully coated.
- Fold in optional mix-ins like shredded coconut, toasted nuts, or chocolate chips once the mixture cools slightly.
- Drop spoonfuls of cookie mixture onto prepared baking sheet using a cookie scoop or two spoons.
- If mixture becomes too thick while scooping, warm briefly over low heat to loosen before continuing.
- Let cookies set at room temperature until firm (20–30 minutes) or chill in refrigerator for 10–15 minutes to speed setting.
Notes
Use quick oats for classic texture; old-fashioned oats create chewier, rustic cookies that require more stirring., Crunchy peanut butter can be used for added texture., Nut-free option: substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter, noting that natural nut butters may be thinner and oil may separate., For vegan version, use plant-based milk and vegan butter; verify sugars are vegan-friendly., Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days for soft texture or refrigerate up to a week for firmer cookies., No candy thermometer needed; success depends on boiling sugar mixture for correct time., Cookies can be frozen for 2-3 months; thaw about 30 minutes before eating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: Approximately 150 calories per cookie (estimate)
- Fat: 7g per cookie (estimate)
- Carbohydrates: 20g per cookie (estimate)
- Protein: 4g per cookie (estimate)