KITCHY LIVING

In honor of my dad’s 60th birthday, I decided to share his famous no-bake cookie recipe. Growing up, this was a recipe my sister and I lived for. I remember begging my dad to make these after school when we’d had a bad day or in the fall when the weather started getting crisper and cooler. It was an antidote of comfort for the good days and the bad days. But it’s a recipe that’s been passed down from my dad’s side of the family from my great grandmother. A few small adjustments have been made to the original recipe, but the taste and richness still hold true.

Here are just a few of my favorite pictures of me with my dad over the past couple years.

We’ve traveled the world and back together. He daily demonstrates a live well-lived for Christ, and I’m thankful to have him as a father and friend.

He’s witty, wise, and the best dad I could have ever asked for.

No-Bake PB Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

3 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 sticks butter, unsalted
4 Tbsp cocoa
Dash of salt
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
2.5-3 cups quick oats (use your judgment)
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1. Bring first five ingredients to a rolling boil for one minutes.
2. Stir well. Remove from heat.
3. Immediately add vanilla then peanut butter. Stir vigorously until thoroughly mixed.
4. Add oats and pecans until same consistency.
5. Drop mixture by the spoonful onto parchment or wax paper.
6. Let stand before enjoying (if you can resist!).

These are far from being the prettiest cookies, but they ARE some of the tastiest. I have a sentimental attachment to them because of how I grew up on them, but if you’ve never made them before, I highly suggest you make this a new family tradition. Side note: you don’t have to use real milk in this recipe. I never have real milk in our house, only almond milk. And there is no change in the flavor or consistency by using almond milk. Can’t vouch for soy or coconut milk, but I’m sure those would be tasty too!

What are your favorite family recipes?