No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

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This is a quick post on No Bake cookies, a classic, something my hubby has been wanting me to make for a while. He remembers his grandma making these when he was young, and I remember my sister used to make these as a teenager.
These would make a nice snack and a great surprise for when the kids come home from school.
These don't take long to make and you have to work fairly fast, so I didn't get any "during" photos (sorry) I was however, practicing with the macro setting on the camera, both my camera and my husbands camera. So I have lots of "after" photos  ツ  I was wondering,why is it called macro? Instead of micro? My cousin calls it "the flower setting"  ツ   I've been taking pictures of bugs that are invading my house (outside) and they just don't focus that well when your zoomed in and you cant hold still (•̪●) so my cousin (you know who you are) says "did you have it on the flower setting?" ;•)  I did, but I needed a tripod, apparently. Because I couldn't hold still and they all turned out a little fuzzy. So I practice with my husbands camera.(He has a good one!)

Anyways on with the recipe...

Here is what you need:

1/2 Cup Butter or Margarine
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Milk
4 Tablespoons Cocoa
1/2 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter 
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
3 -3 1/2 Cups dry Quick-Cook Oats (I used 3 1/2 )
Wax Paper

Add the first four ingredients into a medium size sauce pan (around 4-quart ) 
Bring to a *rolling boil and boil for 1 minute. I use my timer.
Remove from heat.
Add peanut butter into the hot mixture and stir until melted.
Add vanilla. 
Mix in the oatmeal and drop by tablespoons onto wax paper.
Let cool until set. 


*Rolling boil  - boiling vigorously, when stirred it doesn't stir down.
Picture of a rolling boil.

Photo credit motherwouldknow.com

I put my wax paper on cookie sheets, that way I can let them cool in a cold oven (I have this paranoia of flies landing on them) and also I can speed up the cooling off by putting them in the refrigerator for a few minutes.

This recipe makes about 24 cookies, depending on how big you make the spoon full. You can double or triple this recipe ...

Very shiny when they aren't "set" 

Yum!

Choo Choo... next stop, my thighs!!  ツ  

These take about a half hour total to make, maybe less and they are oh-so-good!

Enjoy!!

Homemade Hot Chocolate

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Its about that time of year again to break out the Hot Chocolate. (except in my house its a year round thing!) I think my husband is a connoisseur of hot chocolate, its his "coffee" in the morning.... with LOTS of marshmallows!!!!  Mmmm Ooey Gooey melted Marshmallows in some Hot Chocolate!   He loves Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate, and nothing else will do. ¯\(°_o)/¯  I buy the 30 pack from Walmart because I have to use two packets at a time (he's so darn picky lol) and if I change something up (¬_¬)  believe me he knows!!! (ಠ_ಠ) Just ask the kids ... hehehe

I thought I'd try to make some homemade Hot Chocolate and told him I was thinking about it, and he said "Just make a small batch to see if I like it." I showed him all of the ingredients and he said "Oh, go a head and make a whole batch, that kinda looks good" LOL!! I need to make those homemade marshmallows to, but he goes through them so fast! Probably not worth it. Plus there is a certain brand he likes too (told you he's picky) at least it's a store brand. The way he goes through hot chocolate, this might be a treat a few times a year.

This is very rich!! And if you like milk chocolate, then you might not like this, as its more of a dark chocolate flavor. I think next time I will look for a different cocoa.... 

This recipe makes about 20 servings

Here is what you need

3 Cups Non Fat Dry Milk
2 Cups Powdered Sugar (I'm sure you could use regular sugar also)
1 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 Cup White Chocolate Chips
1/4 Cup Salt


In a large bowl make a mess stir ingredients, to combine. 

Stir....

Pour half of the mixture into the bowl of a food processor and process until the white chocolate is finely ground. 

Transfer mix to an airtight container, then repeat with the remaining. (I have a mini processor so I had to split it up more) Store in the airtight container for up to 3 months.

To make the hot chocolate, mix 1/3 cup of the cocoa mix with 1 cup hot milk, or water, which ever you prefer. I tried half milk, half water and it wasn't very good. I think all milk was the best!

Try to stay warm....