Preacher Cookies are naturally gluten free no-bake cookies loaded with chocolate, oats, and a touch of peanut butter for the perfect emergency sweet fix. These cookies are so quick and easy, they can be whipped up in minutes when an unexpected guest, or preacher, arrives at your door!
Many claim this cookie recipe to be one of their first experiences with “baking.” No bake cookies have definitely endured the test of time with me. Countless batches were made at the hands of my sisters and I growing up.
After transitioning to a gluten free diet years ago, I was delighted to realize Preacher Cookies, like my Halloween-inspired Spider Cookies, require no special adaptations to become a gluten free no-bake cookie recipe! Even more, these cookies can easily be transformed into a dairy free or vegan version as well. See below for the easy modifications.
ingredients needed
Like I said, Preacher Cookies are ideal for making treats in a flash! All the ingredients are commonly on hand and they can be prepared in little as 10 minutes start-to-finish!
- Butter – I always have unsalted butter on hand, but salted butter may be used by omitting the salt from the recipe.
- Sugar – Use granulated sugar, or for a bit of a spin, use 50 / 50 blend of sugar and brown sugar.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- Salt
- Milk – For best results use at least 2%, but whatever you have on hand will work, as well as non-dairy milk.
- Peanut Butter – Creamy or crunchy, or substitute any preferred creamy nut butter, such as almond butter.
- Quick Oats – For a gluten free no-bake cookies recipe, be sure to use certified gluten free oats.
- Vanilla Extract
How To Make preacher cookies recipe
- Since this recipe comes together so quickly, it’s best to have your ingredients measured out and prepared beforehand. Place the sugar, cocoa powder, butter, milk, and salt in a medium saucepan. Measure out the peanut butter, quick oats, and vanilla. Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- Bring the sugar / butter mixture to a full boil over medium heat. Once it begins to boil, cook and stir constantly for 1 minute. It’s best to set a timer to be very precise.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla.
- Use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to quickly drop the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets. Set aside for 15 minutes to cool and harden, then enjoy!
Gluten free / dairy free / vegan adaptations
To make gluten free no-bake preacher cookies, be sure to use certified gluten free quick oats. While all oats are naturally gluten free, they are commonly processed on equipment shared with wheat products. Certified GF oats are guaranteed to be safe to consume, if you can tolerate oats.
To make dairy free or vegan cookies, substitute dairy free milk, such as almond milk, and use plant-based butter, such as Earth Balance butter sticks. Omit the salt from the recipe if using vegan butter because it tends to be a little saltier than traditional butter.
If you love gluten free oat recipes, also try Oat Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies, made from ground oats!
Frequently asked questions:
Why didn’t my preacher cookies harden?
No bake cookies fail to harden when the mixture hasn’t boiled long enough. Typically I cook the butter / sugar mixture about 5 seconds over just to be sure they set up. Do not cook over that, though, or the cookies will become dry and crumbly.
To ensure they harden, first have the mixture come to a full, rolling boil over medium heat. Set a timer for 1 minute and then remove from the heat. Like peanut brittle, the timing is essential for having the cookies set properly.
If they don’t harden, after cooling completely, either refrigerate or freeze them to set them up. They will have to be stored in the fridge or freezer to stay firm, though. They may be enjoyed cold and are still amazing!
Can I use old fashioned oats?
Yes. If you only have old fashioned rolled oats on hand they may be used in the same amount. However, I believe the texture to be better with quick oats because the ingredients meld together more.
Do I have to add peanut butter?
No. You can also enjoy preacher cookies without peanut butter. Simply leave it out and continue with the recipe.
On the other hand, you can also add more peanut butter if you are looking for a more pronounced peanut butter taste. Adding 1/3 cup gives a more subtle hint of peanut butter, but up to 2/3 cup may be added.
Can I use another nut butter?
Yes. If you prefer another type of nut butter, or have an allergy, you may use creamy almond butter, cashew, or sunflower seed butter.
What else can be added?
Give no-bake preacher cookies your own personal spin by adding some of the suggestions below!
- Coconut: Omit the peanut butter and add 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
- Mocha: Add 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder to the cocoa powder.
- Double Chocolate: When adding the oats and peanut butter, stir in up to 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips. They will harden as the mixture cools, giving a more robust chocolate taste.
- Sweet & Salty: Before the cookies harden sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt.
How to store
No-bake cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to a week. To store longer, or if it is particularly humid, store in the refrigerator or freezer.
More gluten free cookie Recipes
- Best Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
- Italian Almond Paste Cookies
- Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
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Preacher Cookies (Gluten Free No-Bake)
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats, (certified gluten free)
Instructions
- It's best to have your ingredients measured out and prepared beforehand. Place the sugar, cocoa powder, butter, milk, and salt in a medium saucepan. Measure out the peanut butter, quick oats, and vanilla. Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- Bring the sugar / butter mixture to a full boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once it begins to boil, cook and stir constantly for 1 minute. It's best to set a timer to be very precise so they cookies set properly.
- Immediately remove the mixture from the heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Stir in oats.
- Drop cookies by 1 ½-2 tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets. To do this quickly and evenly, use a medium cookie scoop. Set aside for 15-20 minutes to cool and harden.
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Equipment Needed
Recipe Notes
Frequently asked questions:
Why didn't they harden?
They fail to harden when the mixture hasn't boiled long enough. Typically I cook the butter / sugar mixture about 5 seconds over just to be sure they set up. Do not cook over that, though, or the cookies will become dry and crumbly. To ensure they harden, first have the mixture come to a full, rolling boil over medium heat. Set a timer for 1 minute and then remove from the heat. Like peanut brittle, the timing is essential for having the cookies set properly. If they don't harden, after cooling completely, either refrigerate or freeze them to set them up. They will have to be stored in the fridge or freezer to stay firm, though. They may be enjoyed cold and are still amazing!dairy free / vegan adaptations
Substitute dairy free milk, such as almond milk, and use plant-based butter, such as Earth Balance butter sticks. Omit the salt from the recipe if using vegan butter because it tends to be a little saltier than traditional butter.Do I have to add peanut butter?
No. You can also enjoy preacher cookies without peanut butter. Simply leave it out and continue with the recipe. On the other hand, you can also add more peanut butter if you are looking for a more pronounced peanut butter taste. Adding 1/3 cup gives a more subtle hint of peanut butter, but up to 2/3 cup may be added.What else can be added?
- Coconut: Omit the peanut butter and add 1/2 cup shredded coconut.
- Mocha: Add 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder to the cocoa powder.
- Double Chocolate: When adding the oats and peanut butter, stir in up to 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips. They will harden as the mixture cools, giving a more robust chocolate taste.
- Sweet & Salty: Before the cookies harden sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt.
Storing
Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to a week. To store longer, or if it is particularly humid, store in the refrigerator or freezer.Nutrition
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