Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

                        
Recently, during Hurricane Sandy, we lost our electrical power. We couldn't use the oven, so I thought of a cookie I used to make with the kids that didn't need to be baked. It was made with raw oatmeal and a chocolate concoction that was cooked on top of the gas stove.

As I recall during winter snowstorms we used to make these fudgy little morsels and decided we'd make some for the family while we sat out the storm.

Make sure you get these basic ingredients before the next big nor'easter hits.

 Ingredients:
2 Cups sugar
3 Tablespoons Cocoa
1 Stick butter
1/2 Cup milk
2 1/2 Cup instant oatmeal
1/2 Cup peanut butter
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Directions:
In a medium saucepan combine sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk. Bring to a boil and stir for about two minutes. Remove from stove and add oats, vanilla, and peanut butter. Beat until blended and starts to thicken.

Drop mixture onto wax paper by the teaspoonful and allow to cool.

These are great snacks with a glass of milk. Play a board game with the kids--Candy land or Scrabble or get a little exercise with Twister. How about cards, Old Maid, or Go Fish.

These times, when the pace changes and you depend on each other for entertainment and fun, are unforgettable.

I have a niece who was having so much fun with her parents during a blackout that, when the lights came back on, she turned them off and said, "Continue." And they did.

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Wilma's Peanut Butter Chews

Years ago my sister Wilma made Peanut butter Chews with her children and now she makes them with her grandchildren. These cookies are so simple to make and so delicious they'll probably become a favorite in your family.

A couple years ago my sisters and I met in Texas at my son's house.I awoke early one morning for breakfast and heard Wilma spinning a yarn in the kitchen. Now if anyone can tell a story it's Wilma. I peaked into the kitchen to see my three grandsons, who used to bake with me, having way too much fun with Aunt Wilma.    I poured a cup of coffee, sat at the table and put on my listening ears.

"Now boys, the recipe for Peanut Butter Chews is a family secret and the only way I can tell you is if you promise not to tell it to a soul."

"Oh, we promise," they said.

She continued giving instructions until they finished the cookies.Then she told them to write the recipe on a card and someday teach their children how to make them.

"But wait. I thought we weren't supposed to tell."

"Oh, I was just pulling your leg," she said. They're so good you won't be able to keep them a secret. Now have a cookie."

Directions:                                

In a medium saucepan combine: 1 cup sugar and 1 cup corn syrup.

Bring the ingredients to a boil on medium heat and cook one minute. Remove pan from burner,and add 1 cup of peanut butter. Stir until smooth.
 
Add five cups of cornflakes and stir until coated evenly with the sweet chewy caramel. Drop on wax paper by teaspoons full until firm and cool. This recipe makes two dozen cookies that don't have to be baked. Try this  recipe with your kids or grand kids. Watch out, if you let the word out that you know how to make Peanut Butter Chews you'll be asked to bring them to every bake sale and party you go to!


Enjoy it, but don't ask me to bring them to your party!