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!

A red poinsettia next to a white plate with preacher cookies.

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.

A red poinsettia next to a white plate with preacher cookies.

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.

A red poinsettia next to a white plate with chocolate no bake cookies.

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!

A baby eating a chocolate no bake cookie.

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.

The best no bake cookie recipe
  • 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
Chocolate no bake cookies on two white plates.

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.
A red poinsettia next to a white plate with preacher cookies (chocolate no bake cookies).

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!
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!

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!

Two small white plates with chocolate no bake cookies on top.
5 from 2 votes

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
Pin Rate Print

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups white granulated sugar
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3 1/2 cups quick oats

Instructions 

  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, 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 1 minute.
  • Stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well combined and peanut butter is melted.
  • Add oats and stir until well combined.
  • Use medium cookie scoop to spoon onto cookie sheet.
  • Cool in refrigerator until hardened.
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.

Explore More

You May Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this Recipe




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!) 🙂

    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!