How to Make Preacher Cookies

Add chopped peanuts to the cookie mixture, if desired.

These tasty, old-fashioned chocolate oatmeal cookies require no baking and are sometimes referred to as boiled cookies, no-bake cookies or "cow patties." The term "preacher cookies" may have originated in America's early days — as the story goes, a housewife who saw her family preacher approaching from a distance on horseback could have a batch made before he got to her front door. Today, these tasty treats are a fun recipe to make with kids or when you need a batch of cookies in a hurry.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups quick-cook oatmeal
• 3 tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 stick butter or margarine
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats and peanut butter. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, milk and cocoa. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring frequently, for two to three minutes.

3. Pour the boiled chocolate mixture over the peanut butter and oats. Mix thoroughly and quickly — the batter will harden as it cools.

4. Drop the mixture by large tablespoons onto wax paper and allow the cookies to cool.

Tips & Warnings

• Either crunchy or smooth peanut butter can be used.

• Store the cookies in a sealed container up to two weeks.

• If the chocolate mixture is undercooked, the cookies will be crumbly; if overcooked, the cookies will be sticky or "wet."

• If your chocolate mixture is undercooked, these will be crumbly.

• If overcooked, you'll get "sticky/wet" cookies.

• Highly addictive -- disappear quickly!

References

• Food Network: Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

Resources

• Hillbilly Housewife: Preacher Cookie Recipe