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.
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
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.
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.
copy and paste to add ingredients to your grocery list
Shopping List
- White Granulated Sugar
- Unsalted Butter
- Milk
- Cocoa Powder
- Creamy Peanut butter
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Quick Oats
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.
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!
Baking Conversion Guide
Print this Measurement Conversion Chart for easy reference when halving or doubling a recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
No! These preacher cookies can sit out on your counters for up to one week.
Pop them in the fridge if you want them to set up faster!
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
Preacher Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk Whole or 2%
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups quick oats
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 cocoa powder
- 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.
- 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
- Working quickly, use a medium (1.5 inch) cookie scoop to spoon onto cookie sheet.
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.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
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How to Make
- In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder.
- Bring to full boil, stirring frequently.
- Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool as directed.
- Stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix well until combined and peanut butter is melted.
- Add oats and stir.
- Use medium cookie scoop to spoon onto cookie sheet.
- Cool in refrigerator until hardened.
Love these
Thank you, Liz! Glad you loved them, too! No bake always wins around here!
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?
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.
I love no bake cookies like these. They definitely are an easy and delicious treat that I must make. Thanks for the idea!
Thanks, Thalia! You have to try the Trail Mix Haystacks, too…I’ll warn you, you can’t stop at 1!
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!) 🙂
Please post a reply, I would love to make this as soon as possible!
Thank you!
Tess
Thanks for bringing that to my attention, Tess! I updated it – it’s 2 cups. Happy Holidays!
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!
There’s nothing like a classic, is there? Happy Holidays, Tina!