I'm going to let you in on a little secret.  Even though I've been baking things for as long as I can remember, somehow I've managed to burn my no-bake cookies every time I've tried to make them.  How do you burn no-bake cookies you ask?  Good question.  When I was younger, I tried numerous recipes, each one ending in a crumbly mess.  My freshman roommate even had a recipe that she claimed turned out every time... until that one time I helped her make it... guess how it ended.  :)

Why share my tale of woe along with a recipe for the afore mentioned no-bake cookies?  Only to prove to you just how easy and absolutely no-fail these cookies are!  They came out beautifully on the very first try!  Seriously, if I can make these, anyone can!  :)  I figured this would be a good way to kick off our 12 Days of Cookies this year.  Fast and easy cookies that are always a crowd-pleaser.  What more could you ask for?  A few tips: gather and measure out everything before you start.  This makes it so much easier to mix things up quickly.  Also, make sure you only boil the mixture for 1 minute.

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

• 1/2 c. butter
• 2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. milk
• 4 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1 c. creamy peanut butter
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 c. oatmeal

Mix butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.  Boil for 1 minute.

Remove from heat, add peanut butter, and stir until melted.  Mix in vanilla and oats.

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper and cool until set.  (Or eat them while they're still warm and gooey!)

Makes 5-6 dozen