Gorilla Poops

Last night Little Man and I had grilled chicken and a veg for dinner.  Good, quick and simple.  Afterward, we were both jonesing for something sweet and I came up with the idea to make No-Bake cookies.  They are satisfying and I always have the ingredients on hand.  Who doesn't have oats and peanut butter?

Is there anyone that hasn't had these before?  My mom made them every once in a while when I was a kid.  When perusing various recipes a few years ago, I came across one that called them "Gorilla Poops." Now, I have a twelve year old.  If you have had any interaction with a boy that age, you know they find anything inappropriate to be absolutely hilarious.  So from that day forth, they have been known by him as "Gorilla Poops." Never mind that they have been "No-Bake Cookies" since the cavemen started making them. And who gets a hankering to eat something whose name conjures up an image of, well, poo? From a primate no less?

The "No-Bake" name gives the impression that these are super easy.  And they can be. One pan, a handful of common ingredients, and no oven? Oh yeah!  But I have had dud batches before. Over the years, I have figured out that the secret to a great No-Bake cookie is in the timing. When the ingredients are brought to a boil for 90 seconds, you don't start timing until the whole thing is at a rapid boil.  As a novice, I started counting when just the edges were simmering and the cookies never set.  Boil too long and they are too crumbly.  Timing, as they say, is everything.

My kitchen buddy

Another note: We make a vegan version of these because of J's dairy allergy.  Instead of butter we use Earth Balance sticks, and in place of milk we use So Delicious Original coconut milk.  I've also used soy and almond milks in the past and they turn out just fine.  I always use an unflavored/unsweetened milk because these are sweet enough as is.

Sarah's Favorite No-Bake Poops Cookies:

• 1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter (we have also used creamy in a pinch)
• 3 cups quick oats
• 1 tsp vanilla

 Directions:

• In a medium-large saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter and cocoa.  
• Bring to a boil and cook for 90 seconds (see above), stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in peanut butter and vanilla, then add the oats.
• Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool until they harden (if you can wait that long)

Easy, right?  And if you have any delicious variations to these, don't keep them to yourself.  Share! Enjoy!