These delicious preacher cookies come together in less than 10 minutes with ingredients you probably always have on hand. These chocolate no bake cookies are the perfect treat to satisfy a sweet tooth, any time you have a craving!

Mix them up and enjoy a sweet little delicious treat within minutes.

A stack of chocolate no bake cookies, also known as preacher cookies, on a white surface.
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I used to help my mom make these cookies when I was little. They still remind me of her every time I make them now! I use her handwritten recipe card, and the cookies taste even sweeter knowing they’re from her.

At the top of this recipe card she had written “Chris loves.” She was right! Every time she made these for Chris, he’d have several eaten within minutes.

I’d been dating Chris for three years when my mom passed away. To me, her thoughtful note still reminds me that Chris was already a part of our family.

We love a good no bake cookie recipe! If you do too, check out no bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies, easy no bake trail mix cookies, no bake butterscotch bars, and no bake peanut butter bars, too.

Preacher cookies on a white surface.

Preacher Cookies

Preacher cookies go by different names. I’ve heard them called chocolate no bake cookies and even uncooked cookies, which is funny since they are still cooked. Whatever you call them, you’re sure to love them!

They got the name preacher cookies a long time ago, when preachers used to stop by for unexpected house calls. A family looking out the window could see the preacher coming and still have these cookies made up and cooling by the time he reached their door.

These cookies are so fast to make, and they use ingredients you probably always keep in your pantry. They’re still perfect for when unexpected guests stop by, or make some for when your family just wants a yummy treat without the fuss.

A piece of chocolate cookie, known as a preacher cookie or chocolate no bake cookie, is sitting on a clean white surface.
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Why You’ll Love these Cookies

  • Crowd Pleaser – They’re the perfect blend of chocolate, peanut butter, and oatmeal. It’s easy to adapt them just a little to suit your tastes, too.
  • Fast and Easy – You can have a chocolate craving, and in less than a half hour – including cooling time – you can be enjoying tasty chocolate no bake cookies. A glass of cold milk makes them even better!
  • Kids can Help – They can help with adding ingredients and stirring. Just make sure to supervise them near the hot stove.
A chocolate covered cookie on a white surface, commonly known as preacher cookies.

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Shopping List

  • White Granulated Sugar
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Milk
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Creamy Peanut butter
  • Vanilla
  • Salt
  • Quick Oats
A delectable peanut butter granola recipe that incorporates the flavors of chocolate and no bake cookies, also known as preacher cookies.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Milk – I use 2% but you can use 1% or skim if preferred.
  • Peanut butter – Crunchy or creamy. I prefer creamy because it stirs in so well.
  • Salt – Omit this ingredient if you’re using salted butter.
  • Nuts – Add 1/2 cup of your favorite nuts for extra flavor and crunch.
  • Almond Joy – Turn these into your favorite candy bar by adding 1 cup of almond slices and 1 cup shredded coconut. Use coconut milk for even more flavor! Omit the peanut butter, if desired.
  • Peppermint – Replace peanut butter with 1 cup chocolate chips. Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and sprinkle some crushed candy canes on top.
A stack of chocolate no bake cookies, also known as preacher cookies, on a white surface.
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Tips

  • Stir frequently so the sugar doesn’t burn. I don’t leave the stovetop while making these.
  • Bring to boil over medium heat. These cookies are best if they’re brought up to a boil slowly.
  • Let them come to a full boil before you start your 1-minute timer. In other words, don’t start your timer at the first sign of bubbles! If they don’t boil for the full 1 minute, your cookies will come out a bit sticky. Add a few seconds next time. If they’re dry and crumbly, you boiled them too long. Cut off a few seconds next time.
  • Experiment with the amounts until you get them exactly how you like them. Like your no bake cookies a bit more chocolaty? Simply up your cocoa powder to 1/3 cup and cut your peanut butter down a tiny bit. Prefer them more peanut buttery? Cut back on the cocoa powder and add a little more peanut butter!
  • Quick oats are best because they, well, cook so quickly. However, you can use regular oats if that’s what you have on hand. Your preacher cookies will end up being a tad chewier, but they’ll still taste great!
A preacher cookie on a white surface, covered in chocolate.

Baking Conversion Guide

Print this Measurement Conversion Chart for easy reference when halving or doubling a recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do no bake cookies have to be refrigerated?

No! These preacher cookies can sit out on your counters for up to one week.

Is there a way to harden no-bake cookies?

Pop them in the fridge if you want them to set up faster!

A piece of chocolate cookie on a white surface, also known as a preacher cookie.

How to Store

  • Room Temperature – These chocolate no bake cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for around a week.
  • Refrigerator – These will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
  • Freezer – For best results, you can place your no bake cookies on a cookie sheet, flash freezing them for approximately two hours. When they are fully frozen, transfer cookies to a sealed container and freeze for up to three months.
A chocolate covered cookie on a white surface, also known as preacher cookies.

More No Bake Recipes

no bake
A stack of preacher cookies on a white surface.
5 from 2 votes
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Preacher Cookies

Quick and easy classic no bake cookie with chocolate, peanut butter, and oatmeal.
Prep: 3 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 8 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
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Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk to combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder.
    2 cups white granulated sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    Preacher cookies in a pan on a marble countertop, drizzled with chocolate sauce.
  • Stir occasionally until it comes to a full boil with bubbles around the edges and in the middle of the pan (about 3½ minutes). Set a timer and boil without stirring for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
    A pot with a whisk in it on top of a stove, cooking preacher cookies.
  • Immediately stir in peanut butter, vanilla extract, salt and oats with a heat proof spatula until combined.
    ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon salt, 3 cups quick oats
    Oats and brown sugar are combined in a pot on a stove to create delicious preacher cookies or chocolate no bake cookies.
  • Working quickly, use a medium (1.5 inch) cookie scoop to spoon onto cookie sheet.
    A preacher cookie on a white surface.
Keywords: preacher cookies

Julie’s Tips

  • Prep – Prepare cookie sheets and prep ingredients and workspace.
  • Time – It’s imperative to bring the mixture to a full boil, then set a timer for 1 minute and resist the temptation to touch. If you boil it too long, it will become crumbly, dry and hard. If you do not boil it long enough, the cookies will not set and hold together.
  • Work Quickly – This makes the cookies easier to to scoop. If you delay, your mixture may set in your pan.

How to Store

  • Room Temperature – These chocolate no bake cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for around a week.
  • Refrigerator – These will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
  • Freezer – For best results, you can place your no bake cookies on a cookie sheet, flash freezing them for approximately two hours. When they are fully frozen, transfer cookies to a sealed container and freeze for up to three months.
Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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How to Make

  1. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder. A pot with a mixture of flour and cocoa powder. Perfect for making preacher cookies or chocolate no bake cookies. A pot with a whisk in it on top of a stove, preparing preacher cookies.
  2. Bring to full boil, stirring frequently. A pot of chocolate sauce simmering on a stove top, perfect for making chocolate no bake cookies or preacher cookies.
  3. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool as directed.
  4. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix well until combined and peanut butter is melted. Preacher cookies and oats on a stove.
  5. Add oats and stir.
  6. Use medium cookie scoop to spoon onto cookie sheet. A preacher cookie on a white surface.
Keywords: preacher cookies
  7. Cool in refrigerator until hardened.

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5 from 2 votes

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10 Comments

  1. hi! So I’ve made this recipe twice and my cookies never come out hard :/ I have kept following the recipe and directions and they continue to be mushy. And it sucks because the chocolate taste SO good! Do you have any tips?

    1. Are you using natural peanut butter? If so, it doesnt solidify the same way. You could cut back 1 Tbsp of butter or refrigerate if needed.

  2. 5 stars
    I love no bake cookies like these. They definitely are an easy and delicious treat that I must make. Thanks for the idea!

  3. Hi Julie,

    I would love to make these for my family. The first ingredient you have listed is:

    2 sugar.

    Can you please clarify is that 2 teaspoons, 2 Tablespoons, 2 cups (oh goodness I hope not!) ๐Ÿ™‚

    Please post a reply, I would love to make this as soon as possible!

    Thank you!

    Tess

  4. I have this recipe, too but my sister has the one written in my moms handwriting. It has been a tradition as long as I can remember to have no-bakes at Christmas time.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!