I had a friend once who thought this was a disgusting name for a cookie. She said in her family they called them Gorilla Poops. Not sure why my family’s title won the gross-out award over hers. Anyhow, it’s a tried and true recipe that brings back lots of memories for me. Sunday afternoons were the traditional occasions for these quick treats when I was growing up, and it’s a tradition I’ve kept going in my own family.
Ingredients:
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. milk
3 Tbsp. cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. peanut butter
2 1/2 c. oats (quick or old-fashioned)
1. Combine the butter, milk, cocoa, salt, and sugar in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 1-2 minutes more and then remove from heat.
2. Stir in vanilla, peanut butter, and oats. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and allow to set.
Makes about 3 dozen
Notes:
- My personal favorite way to make these is to omit the cocoa from the boiling mixture, and then add in 1/2 cup or so of coconut after the boil. Yum!
- I used to always use quick oats until I experimented with old-fashioned, which I use more often. Quick oats give a bit softer texture, but I like them with the old-fashioned oats better.
- You can pour the mixture into an 8″x 8″ pan, sprayed with cooking spray, but it takes a lot longer to set before you can cut it into bars.
- My ten-year-old made this batch and has become quite an expert at the process!
- We like to use a cookie scoop for easy portioning onto the waxed paper.
My family calls them "fudge chews". And my hubby's family calls them "critters". Yummy stuff.
My family calls them "fudge chews". And my hubby's family calls them "critters". Yummy stuff.
I also grew up making (& eating!)these cookies! Its even the same recipe! Sometimes we would throw in other stuff to, cereal, candy, nuts, if we happened to have any. Boy, this brings back memories! I havn't made them in years! Thanks!
I also grew up making (& eating!)these cookies! Its even the same recipe! Sometimes we would throw in other stuff to, cereal, candy, nuts, if we happened to have any. Boy, this brings back memories! I havn't made them in years! Thanks!