Why are they called preacher cookies?

Also called no-bakes, preacher cookies are an old Southern recipe. So it is said, the name derives from how quickly these cookies come together, with no baking required: If the preacher were to come by the house for an unexpected visit, these treats could be on the table in a flash.

Why are my preacher cookies not hard?

If your preacher cookies seem unappealingly soft, try chilling them in the refrigerator. Some of the ingredients, like the butter and peanut butter, will not stay completely soft at room temperature. So popping them in the fridge should harden these ingredients, and therefore help firm up the cookies overall.

How long do preacher cookies last?

To store preacher cookies, wrap them tightly or place them in an air-tight container at room temperature. To make them last longer, you can also store them in the fridge—or even the freezer, which will help the cookies last for several weeks—if you can withstand the temptation that long!

Preacher Cookies Recipe

Name: Preacher Cookies
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter, cut into pieces; 1/4 cup (1 oz.) unsweetened cocoa; 1/4 tsp. table salt; 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk (1 1/4 cups); 1 1/2 cups (about 2 oz.) crisp rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies); 1 1/2 cups (5 1/4 oz.) uncooked quick-cooking oats; 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter (from 1 [16-oz.] jar); 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

50 mins

Yield:

40 cookies

No-bake Preacher Cookies are so quick and easy to whip up—you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry right now. And the no-bake recipe means no hot ovens when the weather is warm!

But we should tell you: These Preacher Cookies might be a bit different from the ones you've had before, but we think these slight upgrades result in an even better cookie. You'll never go back to the original.

This cookie has a very rich cocoa flavor, a surefire way to get your chocolate fix in a hurry. And the texture from the crispy rice cereal and oats is oh so satisfying. Condensed milk gives the batter a smooth, fudgy—and irresistable—consistency.

And Preacher Cookies are just as simple as they are crowd pleasing, ideal for a snack, dessert, potluck , bake sale , or any type of gathering.

Southern Living Preacher Cookies ready to serve — Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Preacher Cookies Ingredients

To make preacher cookies, you will need just nine simple ingredients, all readily available at conventional grocery stores. You’ll need:

granulated sugar
unsalted butter
unsweetened cocoa
table salt
condensed milk
crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
quick-cooking oats
crunchy peanut butter
vanilla extract

Tips for Preacher Cookies

These cookies are quite sweet. And if all that sweetness is too much, you can moderate it by substituting the processed peanut butter for a natural peanut butter without added sugar. And you can pull back on a bit of the sugar in the recipe if you prefer.

Consider using an ice cream scooper for baking rather than a tablespoon—or spray the tablespoon to help release the batter more easily.

Preacher Cookie Serving Suggestions

Preacher Cookies are best right after they are made. (As they sit, the rice becomes less crispy, which compromises the pleasing texture.) So eat up!

You can serve them just as they are, or make a buttercream or other filling and turn a pair of cookies into a sweet sandwich. Or, you can chop up preacher cookies and serve the pieces as a topping over ice cream.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are they called preacher cookies?

Also called no-bakes, preacher cookies are an old Southern recipe. So it is said, the name derives from how quickly these cookies come together, with no baking required: If the preacher were to come by the house for an unexpected visit, these treats could be on the table in a flash.
Why are my preacher cookies not hard?

If your preacher cookies seem unappealingly soft, try chilling them in the refrigerator. Some of the ingredients, like the butter and peanut butter, will not stay completely soft at room temperature. So popping them in the fridge should harden these ingredients, and therefore help firm up the cookies overall.
How long do preacher cookies last?

To store preacher cookies, wrap them tightly or place them in an air-tight container at room temperature. To make them last longer, you can also store them in the fridge—or even the freezer, which will help the cookies last for several weeks—if you can withstand the temptation that long!

Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin .

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter , cut into pieces
1/4 cup (1 oz.) unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp. table salt
1 ( 14-oz. ) can sweetened condensed milk (1 1/4 cups)
1 1/2 cups (about 2 oz.) crisp rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
1 1/2 cups (5 1/4 oz.) uncooked quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter (from 1 [16-oz.] jar)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Prepare pans:

Line 3 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
Make cookie batter:

Place sugar, butter, cocoa, salt, and condensed milk in a large saucepan over medium-high.

Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a boil, about 5 minutes. Boil, stirring occasionally with a heatproof rubber spatula, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and stir in cereal, oats, peanut butter, and vanilla until fully incorporated, about 1 minute.

Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Form cookies:

While batter is still warm, scoop batter by 1 1/2 tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.

Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Use the back of a measuring spoon or bottom of a cup to press out cookies to desired shape.

Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Cool completely on baking sheets, about 30 minutes.

Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke