Recipe: Healthy No Bake Chocolate PB Cookies

So, I've been a little obsessed with no bake recipes lately. Why? Because I have absolutely no energy andddddddd whilst I want to make delicious treats for myself and my family - I can't really be bothered waiting for our horrible oven to heat up. 

This Healthy No Bake Chcoolate Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe is one of our favourites for when we're feeling a little bit lazy. It takes just one pot and a little chilling and you've got cookies ready to devour before you know it. 

The first time I made this recipe about a year or so again, I thought I'd be the only one who would eat them. You see, if you've been reading Southern In-Law for a while, you know that Jesse is pretty fussy. I thought that if I called these cookies, Jesse would reject them because you can't possibly have a cookie if it isn't baked and made with flour.....

But boy was I wrong!

Jesse has been obsessed with these babies ever since. So much so that we keep a batch in the freezer almost constantly because they're the perfect quick and easy snack that's sweet and delicious whilst still being healthy. 

They're not your typical cookie, however, that doesn't make them any less delicious! Best of all, they can be made to suit a variety of allergy and dietary needs. If you need them peanut free, switch out the peanut butter for almond butter, if you're vegan they're already perfect for you and if you need them to be oat free, simply switch the oats for quinoa flakes.

Wham bam, thank you ma'am! 

But there is one problem with this recipe.... 

They're so easy to make and so delicious that once your family realise how simple they are, you'll never have an excuse not to whip up something delicious. I try the old "but I just don't feel like making cookies/cake/whatever" on Jesse, only to get "well you could make no bake cookies? It only takes one pot?". 

Sprung! Because the'yre so simple to make and don't require any baking, you can whip them up for any occasion. If you have friends popping around at the last minute, simply mix them up and pop them in the freezer and they'll be ready to go in fifteen minutes! How easy is that?!

Bring on the cookies, friends! 

Now, let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies Recipe

makes about 18 delicious little cookies or 12 regular sized cookies

low fat, gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free, nut free option, dairy free, egg free

60ml (3 metric tablespoons/4 US tablespoons) maple syrup*

3 tbsp (45g) coconut oil 

1/3 cup (80g) peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)**

2 tsp vanilla extract 

2 tbsp (15g) unsweetened cocoa powder***

1 1/2 cups (135g) gluten free rolled oats or gluten free quick oats****

• Line a cookie sheet with baking paper and set aside.
• Add your maple syrup, coconut oil, peanut butter, vanilla and cocoa to a medium sized sauce pan.
• Heat your wet ingredients over a medium-low heat, stirring until all of your ingredients are melted and mixed together. 
• Once your wet ingredients are melted and combined, turn off the heat and mix in your oats (or substitute - see below), mixing until all of your ingredients are incorporated. 
• Spoon your oat mixture onto your baking sheet to make your cookies. We usually use about a tablespoon of mix, pressing them down into our desired cookie shape. Remember, as you're not baking these, they'll look the same as they do on your cookie sheet, so shape them however you want them to look. 
• Once you've shaped all of your cookies, place your cookie sheet into the fridge or freezer to chill until your cookies are firm. It'll take about an hour in the fridge or 15 or so minutes in the freezer.
• Once firm, you're free to devour them! These cookies are best stored in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container or zip lock bag. They'll keep in the freezer for months or in the fridge for a week or so (if they last that long!). 

Notes: 

*You can also use honey (not vegan), agave or brown rice syrup instead. If you like things on the sweeter side, add an extra tablespoon or some liquid stevia drops to taste.

**For a peanut/nut free option use either almond or cashew butter (peanut free) or sunflower seed butter (nut free) instead of the peanut butter

***If needing these gluten free, check to make sure your cocoa powder is gluten free! 

****Find out more about oats on a gluten free diet. If you can't tolerate oats, switch the oats for quinoa flakes instead! You can also switch the oats for puffed rice cereal or your favourite cereal flakes for a crunchier treat!

But tell me, what's your favourite quick and easy treat to whip up? 

And what's your current favourite sweet treat?

I'm currently loving anything to do with chocolate or icecream - but then again, I'd never say no to either :P