Hopes Treasures

How did I learn to make no-bake cookies? Well, it all started at my grand-granny’s apartment one day. Would you like to know how? In the late eighties, she got out her recipe and asked me to make her some cookies. So my daughter and I went into the kitchen. I got everything out so grand-granny could teach me how to make them. Then, in just a few minutes, I heard her say NO! NO! NO! You can’t use that; it’s all wrong.

What did I do wrong?

I asked her what she meant, and her answer shocked me. She said that’s not the right spoon or pan. Let me show you! I said okay. She pulled a bag out of the cabinet, and the contents were one spoon and one pan. These are the ones I use just for the cookies. When I asked her why, she said that they would not turn out in any of her other pans. I told her that was silly. She also told me not to make them if it was wet and rainy outside because the cookies would turn out gooey. Well, needless to say, that batch of cookies turned out perfect with her special pan and spoon.

PREP TIME FROM START TO FINISH 18 – 20 MINUTES

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

• Sugar- 2cups
• Butter- 1 stick (not margarine)
• Vanilla Flavoring-1 teaspoon
• Unsweetened cocoa powder- 1/2 cup
• Milk- 1/2 cup
• Peanut butter- 1/2 cup
• Quick Oats- 3 cups

Then, in a 2.5 to 3-quart saucepan, combine sugar, butter, cocoa powder, vanilla flavoring, and milk. Set the saucepan over medium heat (I like to use the smaller one on the stove) and begin stirring. Cook and stir frequently until it reaches a boil. Then, once it reaches a full boil, continue stirring and let it boil for 2 1/2 minutes. Remove the mixture from heat, then immediately add peanut butter and oatmeal. Stir until blended well. From this point on, you have to be pretty fast or it will set up in the pan. Drop the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper or aluminum foil, dropping 2 Tbsp at a time (I use two large spoons). Let the cookies set, then relax and enjoy! Store the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container.

We tried anyway…

My daughter and I went to grand-grannies at least once a week. So the next time we went over to grand-grannies it was raining outside. She asked me to try to make her some more cookies. I went into the kitchen and made her some cookies while she played with my daughter for a little while. She proved herself to be right. I was now informed, “See, I told you not to make them on a rainy day,” after this batch failed to turn out. Grand-granny was good at teaching you what she knew. Whether it was right or wrong, she would teach you both ways.

Gift from Grand-Granny

When she stopped cooking for herself and moved in with my parents, she gave me her special pan and spoon. Still today, I use that pan and spoon to make the no-baked cookies to give away at Christmas. Every year, my family and friends bring their containers to me so I can make each batch of no-bake cookies. This is a sad year, as I did not get to Make them. I have been bedridden since mid-November. One day, I will pass them on to my grandkids. Just like grand-granny taught me, I don’t use the pan or spoon for anything except the no-bake cookies.

Sharing Grand-Granny

Now my family thinks I am silly, like I was with my grand-granny. As I am writing this in 2024, it is all true. Every year, I make about thirty batches of these cookies. I will give you her recipe for these cookies, but you will have to find your own spoon and pan. I still keep a part of my grand-granny around at Christmas and the family loves it. So, I am now gluten-free so I figured out how to make me some with the gluten-free products. Thanks for letting me share a part of my grand-granny with all of you.