Preacher Cookies

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!

This post was originally published December 17, 2014 and updated with new details March 12, 2021.

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.

My family loves preacher cookies – and I know yours will, too! 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.

Plus they’re so fast to make. 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!

Even kids will love helping to make these for a family night treat. They can help with adding ingredients and stirring. Just make sure to supervise them near the hot stove.

For other easy cookie recipes, you’ll love no bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies, easy no bake trail mix cookies, no bake butterscotch bars, and no bake peanut butter bars.

One more recipe that you do have to bake, but it’s still easy and too good not to share! If you love oatmeal, you’ll love my oatmeal lace cookies!

Why Are They Called 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.

Chocolate No Bake Cookie Ingredients

• Sugar – White granulated
• Butter – Salted or unsalted
• Milk – I use 2% but you can use 1% or skim if preferred.
• Cocoa powder – For a subtle chocolate flavor
• Peanut butter – Crunchy or creamy. I prefer creamy because it stirs in so well.
• Vanilla – Pure extract has the best flavor.
• Salt – Omit if using salted butter.
• Quick oats – For flavor and texture

Preacher Cookie Variations

It’s easy to vary the flavor of preacher cookies to exactly how you want them.

• 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.

How to Make No Bake Preacher Cookies

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder.
2. Bring to full boil, stirring frequently.
3. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool 1 minute.
4. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix well until combined and peanut butter is melted.
5. Add oats and stir until well combined.
6. Use medium cookie scoop to spoon onto cookie sheet.
7. Cool in refrigerator until hardened.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate No Bake Cookies

• 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!

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.

More No Bake Recipes

Love a good no bake dessert? You have to try these recipes for sweet treats the whole family will love!

• No Bake Cookie Butter Cheesecake
• No Bake Lemon Pie
• Easy No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
• No Bake Shortcake Crust
• Speculoos Cookie Butter Bars
• No Bake Rudolph Nose Dough Balls
• No Bake Granola Bars
• Easy No Bake Cheesecake