No-Bake Cow Pies

I promise...these taste much better than they sound!

When I came up with the name in the back of my head I hoped no one was offended, and then that quickly became an afterthought.  I'm from Iowa, the heart of the Midwest, we have a LOT of livestock around these parts and even though I didn't grow up on a farm, I've been to my share of them.

And any farm with cows....has cow pies.  And if you don't know what I'm referring to, just Google it.  Long story short, these kinda look like cow pies.

Let's move on, shall we?

The kids were hankering for a snack these past weekend and I was out of MOST EVERYTHING.  You see I don't buy pre-packaged snacks, except for crackers.  You'll never catch me buying baked goodies, fruit roll-ups, fruit snacks, etc.  The one exception being when we are traveling and I'm in a bind.

Not that I won't eat them if given to me {remember, I'm pregnant and HANGRY} - I just won't buy them. The quality is crap, the ingredient list is endless and I can make better and tastier things at home.  So usually once a week I'll make a treat of some sort and will graze on them for a few days.

This past weekend it was these.  I had oatmeal.  I had cocoa.  I had peanut butter.  I figured I could come up with something out of those three ingredients.

This is also a great snack to make with your kids.  Once you get past the stove-top part and away from the heat, it's fairly easy to plop these little suckers down on some fool with a spoon.

No-Bake Cow Pies

Print this Recipe!

2 1/2 c. oatmeal
3 T. powdered cocoa
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt

1.  Bring sugar, milk, salt, and cocoa to a boil and continue for 1 and ½ minutes. 
2.  Remove from heat and add vanilla, peanut butter, and oatmeal. 
3.  Line counter top with wax paper or foil and moving quickly use a teaspoon to drop mixture onto paper. 
4.  Allow cookies to cool and harden. Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies. 
5.  Keep in an airtight container or in the fridge to stay fresh.