No-Bake Haystack Cookies

I look forward to the blissful day when my baby's eyelids flutter shut the moment his angelic little head is laid in his crib, the soft glow of his halo serving as a nightlight. That day will come, right?

The other night he was inconsolable. Nothing I did could calm the poor kid. The diaper was dry, the tummy was full, he'd been burped, cuddled, swaddled, pacified, rocked, held as I paced around the house - and yet he cried. I know he's just tired and fighting off sleep, but this routine makes mom tired too.

He eventually he nodded off, but not before I sprouted a couple grey hairs. Afterwards I figured I earned some food blog browsing time. Then I saw Everybody Loves Sandwiches posted this no-bake cookie recipe. Cookies ready in one minute? With ingredients that I already have on hand? I couldn't get my saucepan out fast enough.


I have to admit, these are pretty darn addictive, especially considering how easy-peasy they are to make. It would be easy to make these vegan, too (Steph, I'm talking to you :) ). The original recipe calls for 2 cups of sugar - that's way too much for me, I cut it down. When my hubby got home from work, he said, "Hey, haystacks! My mom used to make these." And so they came to be called Haystacks. Amen.

No-Bake Haystack Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1 and 2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
4 Tablespoons cocoa
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (regular pb works fine, too)
3 and 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 Tablespoon vanilla

In a medium sized saucepan, mix together the first five ingredients and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute and then remove from heat. Add in remaining ingredients and then use a teaspoon to drop the mixture onto cookie sheets lined with waxed paper. Chill until set. Keep in refrigerator.