Yes, it’s true. Occasionally, I do make a sweet treat without peanut butter. This time around, I omitted the PB from a traditionally very peanut-buttery snack. You guessed it ~ the ever popular no-bake cookie! As much as I love PB and as easy and oven-free (perfect for the now official drought we are experiencing) no-bakes are, I’ve never been able to bring myself to completely fall in love with them. But I may be on to something here. Rich, chocolaty, a little crunchy, a little chewy and free of any nut butters whatsoever. Which, by the way, is not an original idea and as other recipes have suggested, you could add Nutella or other substitutes for PB, but I’m good with chocolate for now and I think you’ll enjoy them too. 
The no-bake cookie recipe seems to be pretty universal, but I tweaked it somewhat. ENJOY!
Fudgy Chocolate No-Bake Cookies (without peanut butter)
1 stick butter
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. agave nectar/syrup (I used amber)
or 2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. milk
4 T. cocoa powder
1-3 t. pure vanilla extract (for no-bake cookies, I’ve seen recipes that call for as little as 1 t. to 1 T. I used about 3 t.)
2-3 c. quick oats
1 c. corn flakes or crispy rice cereal (non-flavored)
3/4 c. chocolate chips
In a medium pan over low-medium heat, melt butter and whisk in milk, sugars and cocoa until combined and sugars dissolve. Bring to a light boil (while stirring) and then lightly boil for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat and whisk in vanilla. Add oats and stir then fold in cereal. Gently stir in more oats if needed (mixture shouldn’t be runny). Stir in chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls of batter on wax paper and set until firm. I placed mine in the freezer until they had set (not frozen). Store in refrigerator. Makes about 2-dozen.
© Amy Carpenter @ Afternoon Popcorn Snack, 2013
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I love your take on the no-bakes! I bet these are delicious!
Thanks! They are very good. I think they turn out best with the agave syrup instead of using 2 c. of sugar. They seem fudgier to me, but I could be wrong.
i just made these two days ago, but i did add the peanut butter!
I think they’re good either way, but I was looking for a little more chocolaty crunch instead of the PB.
Thank you! I knew there must be some way to make these when I’m out of peanutbutter
You’re welcome! And they are very delicious. Would probably be good with a little coconut too!
oh man….. I need to stop coming by because you are killing my diet!! Man those look great!!!!
So sorry! Ha!ha! Thank you!
I like the no-bake idea. Great for the summer and when you don’t have time to bake several trays of cookies!
Yes! It’s been great for the heat. I refuse to turn the oven on, so I’m ‘forced’ to be creative.
Thanks for your comment! Have a lovely day.
I need to bookmark this.
You will love them! I’ve made them two or three times because they are oven-less!!
Hi Amy! Your Fudgy No-Bake Corn Flake Cookies sound delicious. I’ll give them a try when the weather heats up a bit. You may like my Irish Rocky Road Biscuits (http://inanirishhome.com/2012/09/18/in-an-irish-home-turns-one/). Try them some time when you need a sweet treat without the heat of an oven and let me know what you think. In the meantime, thank you for visiting In an Irish Home and for liking my Tray Bake Shortbread Biscuits. All the best, Kim
Thank you for stopping by and commenting! I will definitely look at your Rocky Road Biscuits.
Have a beautiful day!
I’m a lover of all things Irish, by the way. An O’Murphy on my grandmother’s side. I think I would move to your neck of the woods in a heartbeat.