No-Bake Preacher Cookies

by

Sure! Here’s a full, expanded recipe for No-Bake Preacher Cookies—also known by some as cow patties, boiled cookies, or grandma’s lazy-day treats. This version includes a rich history, love for the recipe, detailed instructions, and all the heartwarming nostalgia it deserves.

🍪 No-Bake Preacher Cookies

A Southern Classic Made with Love and Simplicity

💬 Introduction

These cookies go by many names—Preacher Cookies, Cow Patties, or simply No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies. The term “Preacher Cookies” hails from the American South, where home cooks used to whip them up quickly if they saw the preacher walking up the path for an unexpected visit. No time to bake? No problem! These cookies come together with pantry staples, no oven required, and are ready before the coffee even finishes brewing.

Loved by generations, they’re rich, chocolatey, nutty, chewy, and nostalgic. This is the kind of recipe passed from hand to hand, whispered between friends, and handed down through families. Whether made for guests or simply out of craving, these treats bring people together—and that’s what food is all about.

🧾 Ingredients (Makes about 36 cookies)

Cookie Base:

  • 3 cups quick-cooking oats (uncooked)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 stick (½ cup) + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Drizzle:

  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

👩‍🍳 Instructions & Method

1. Prepare Your Station

  • Pour the oats into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • Line a baking sheet or clean countertop with parchment paper or wax paper.

2. Make the Peanut Butter Base

  • In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1 stick of unsalted butter.
  • Once melted, stir in milk and sugar.
  • Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and let it boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Remove from heat and quickly stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.

3. Combine & Shape

  • Pour the hot mixture over the oats.
  • Stir thoroughly until everything is well coated and combined.
  • Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the parchment. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.

4. Add the Chocolate Drizzle

  • In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
  • Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth.
  • Drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies using a spoon or fork.

5. Set & Serve

  • Let cookies cool at room temperature until chocolate is set, or place them in the refrigerator for 1 hour to speed things up.
  • Transfer to a serving platter or airtight container.

🧡 A Little History & Formation

The origin of Preacher Cookies dates back to the early to mid-1900s in the American South, where hospitality was king and unannounced guests were frequent. The name comes from the tradition of offering refreshments—often sweets—to the local preacher if he stopped by. These cookies were ideal: no oven required, inexpensive, and quick to whip up.

Because they relied on basic ingredients—sugar, milk, oats, peanut butter—they became a staple in working-class kitchens. Over time, the recipe evolved into a cherished heirloom, often made with love by mothers and grandmothers who passed it down to daughters, sons, and friends.

💞 Why Lovers of Cookies Love This Recipe

  • No baking required – Perfect for hot summer days or quick fixes.
  • Pantry-friendly – Uses everyday ingredients.
  • Kid-approved – Fun to make and eat.
  • Flexible – Swap peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter if needed.
  • Nostalgic – Brings back memories of childhood, church picnics, and family gatherings.

📝 Conclusion

No-Bake Preacher Cookies aren’t just about convenience—they’re about comfort. They’re about the warmth of welcome, the joy of shared moments, and the simplicity of good food. Whether you’re making them for a party, a gift, or just to satisfy a sweet tooth, they deliver every single time.

Keep them in your recipe box, pass them on to someone you love, or better yet—make a batch together. After all, the best cookies are the ones made with stories, memories, and a little drizzle of chocolate.

Would you like a printable PDF version or a fancy image recipe card for this?

Leave a Comment