Unbaked Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Description: Lovie Mae Holder’s Unbaked Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are a quick and delightful treat that combines the hearty texture of oatmeal with the rich flavor of chocolate and peanut butter. These no-bake cookies are perfect for when you need a sweet fix without the hassle of turning on the oven. With the optional addition of pecans, they offer a satisfying crunch in every bite.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Inactive Time: 30 minutes (for setting)

Servings: 3 dozen

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups sugar

• 3 tablespoons cocoa

• 1 stick margarine

• ½ cup milk

• 3 cups uncooked oatmeal

• ½ cup peanut butter

• 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

• ½ cup pecans, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa, margarine, and milk.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.

3. Allow the mixture to boil for 3 minutes, then remove the saucepan from the heat.

4. Stir in the uncooked oatmeal, peanut butter, and vanilla flavoring into the hot mixture. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

5. If using pecans, fold them into the mixture at this stage.

6. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a sheet of waxed paper, using a teaspoon to shape the cookies.

7. Allow the cookies to cool and set at room temperature, which should take about 30 minutes.

8. Once set, the cookies are ready to be served.

Notes to Make it Better:

• For a healthier version, you can use reduced-fat peanut butter and substitute half of the sugar with a sugar alternative.

• To add texture, consider using chunky peanut butter or adding a small amount of coconut flakes.

• Ensure that the mixture boils for a full 3 minutes to achieve the right consistency for the cookies.

Nutritional Information (per cookie):

• Calories: 100-120

• Fat: 5-6g

• Sodium: 25-30mg

• Carbohydrates: 14-16g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugars: 9-11g

• Protein: 2-3g

Nutritional values are approximate and can vary based on the size of the cookies and specific ingredient choices.