My mother called them "Preacher Cookies"...i.e. IF you saw the preacher coming up the sidewalk for a visit, you could make them quickly and have a fresh dessert. (would work, I guess, if you had a long sidewalk..haha!) We've eaten them for YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can NEVER go wrong with this recipe! It is an all-time favorite!! ...and sooo easy to make!!! Yummmy-ENJOY!!

Been making this for 50 years.. I cook 1 min after it comes to a rolling boil..it is also good with crushed graham crackers or use crunchy peanut butter in place of regular.

These turned out great! Just as how I remembered when I was a kid making them with mom. I've have also heard them called "cow pies" or "cow patties", maybe that's just a Missouri thing! As usual I can never wait for them to cool completely before I grab one up!

I have tried to find this recipe for years. It's the first thing I ever cooked and the reason that I came to love baking. It's the perfect cookie recipe for children to prepare.

We crushed up whoppers (chocolate malt balls) and added them to the recipe, so good!! And I left out the PB as well!

I failed. The patties never "firmed" up. I boiled for one minute but should I have boiled longer? Weather was good; no rain to hamper the process. I hate to throw them away but I guess that is what I will do. Any thoughts or suggestions is welcome. I did use "light" butter. Maybe that's the problem?

If I choose to use coconut, would I use it instead of the oatmeal? Or in addition to? Please help! Would love to try it. Thanks

This is the same as an old family receipe that my mother had in the 60's. It was easy to follow for a 10yr old. It was always a family favorite. We did not use the peanut butter but that sounds good. These cookies never lasted the day.. Made in the morning gone by the evening. Enjoy...

I made these for my hyperactive brother with Bakers chocolate Squares when I was ten. He followed a strict diet and this was one good cookie he enjoyed. 35 yrs later, we still enjoy them.

Perfect the 1st time - I subed in Naturally More peanut Butter & no one ever knew. I also used a cookie sheet with a little bit of non-stick spray instead of the wax paper, as I was out.

You can also pour them in a greased pan and let cool and cut into squares. That's how we grew up eating them. My mom also put raisins in it sometimes :)

My husband is 59 and has been eating these since he was a child. He has come up with an idea to make them even better. Increase butter by 1/2 stick, spread mixture in a buttered pan and freeze. They may be harder to cut but worth it... Warning!!! You may eat the entire pan. PS: adding coffee to the recipe is nice too! Enjoy

Been making this recipe as written since the 70s and it's my family's favorite, and mine! More like candy than cookies ;) My unsolicited advice: once the mixture comes to a full rolling boil, start timing it and boil for ONLY one minute! Your cookies will be shiny and soft when you spoon them out but firm up to just the right texture in no time. I also use whole oats instead of quick-cooking and chunky peanut butter, makes them even yummier and chewier!

The secret (if there is one) to no-fail no bake cookies is in the cooking time; I've boiled them too long and wound up with a dry, crumbly mess that worked well as ice cream sprinkles, and I've also undercooked them and wound up with runny ice cream topping! AFTER the mixture comes to a full, rolling boil over med-low heat, begin timing it for ONE MINUTE, then remove. I've seen recipes that call for 5 minutes of boiling, and I can't imagine that EVER working for these cookies. Been making them since the 70s and boiling for one minute only is the sure fire way to GREAT no bakes! They will be soft & shiny when you spoon them out, but will firm up and be JUST the right texture in no time.