The secret to these cookies, is the vanilla.. Don't ever forget the vanilla.

My mom made these cookies when I was a little girl. Now I make them for my grandsons. We ALL love them very much!! I use crunchy peanut butter and bring them to a full boil for 2 minutes, then drop on wax paper. They turn out great - but the humidity does have a negative effect on them, so for good texture, don't make in soggy weather!!

I have made these all my life & no one ever gets tired of them. One suggestion I have is to add a little salt into the boiled ingredients. It kinda calms down the sweetness just a bit.

They made these at school for hot lunch dessert. Loved them then, love'm now

I haven't made these yet but remember them well from my childhood. I saw that someone used peppermint for a holiday surprise. Should I just omit the vanilla and use the same amount of peppermint extract or a different amount? Thanks and enjoy your cookies!

My mom used to make these cookies when I was growing up (I'm 63). For a great variation during the Christmas holidays, she would stir in some crushed peppermint candy canes instead of peanut butter. She used the candy canes from the package that were broken, and wouldn't hang on the Christmas tree. I think I need to head to the kitchen to make some.

A little hint...when boiling the sugar, cocoa, butter, milk, and vanilla...get a cup of cold water. Occasionally hold the spoon and let a drop of the mixture drop into the cold water. When it drops into the water and stays in a ball form, then it is ready for the oatmeal and peanut butter to be added. It won't be too hard or to soft. I always spoonful onto wax paper for them to cool. My family asks for these all the time, we all love them.

You can add a couple tablespoons of Kahlua, or a tsp. of instant coffee, not to mention some Rice Krispies, after it boils just before you plop them out. These were called mountain bars out in the Pacific Northwest where I grew up!! My Grand-kids love them!!!!

I made these last night. Yummy! I have a question though... have any of you ever froze them? I'd like to make them now and give them away at Christmas and wanted to know if they would still taste good.

My mother-in-law taught me how to make these 30 years ago. I changed it up a bit. I don't use cocoa, I double the peanut butter, used whole oats instead and also add marshmallow cream, about 1 cup.

Awesome !! Thank you so much for this recipe! It's wonderful.

AWESOME!!! Exactly how my grandma made them when I was little!

I always made these cookies for my Dad they are his favorites! Been making them for 10 years and a good variation is instead of usung cocoa use a small bag of milk chocolate chips. It keeps the cookies from drying out for a long time. And they taste so much better!

My mother made these for me every Christmas. I am 52 years old and my mother passed away several years ago, but, this recipe
tastes just like the one my mother used. This is a plus for everyone, I made then myself.

My Mom had the recipe from the Quaker Oatmeal box, from many years ago. Instead of calling for peanut butter, it called for 1/2 to 1 cup nits. Personally I like the best of both worlds and add chunky peanutbutter. Also, the original recipe called for 1/2 to 1 cup coconut (as an optional addition).

Many people have asked about the cooking time. The instructions are to cook it for 1 minute..but the minute starts when the mixture has come to a full boil. Take it off the heat immediately when the minute is over, or you can over cook it.

Great recipe!