How to Make No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

A simple, step-by-step guide for kids to make delicious chocolatey oatmeal cookies without using the oven. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Prepare your space. Clear your counter and lay out a sheet of wax paper on a baking sheet or a flat area of the counter. This is where your cookies will cool down later.
2. Mix the base. Ask a grown-up to help you place the sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa powder into the saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and stir constantly until the butter is melted and the mixture begins to boil.
3. The boil. Once it starts boiling, let it bubble for exactly one minute while you keep stirring. This step is important to make sure the cookies set properly later.
4. Add the flavor. Remove the pan from the heat with a grown-up's help. Quickly stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and creamy.
5. Stir in the oats. Pour the oats into the saucepan and stir until every bit of oat is coated with the chocolate mixture.
6. Scoop and cool. Use a spoon to drop small mounds of the mixture onto your wax paper. Let them sit for about 20 minutes until they are firm enough to pick up.