April 3, 2010

  • Preacher Cookies

    Preacher Cookies (also known as No Bake Cookies, Chewy Charlies...) are a favorite around our house.  They got their name because the cookies could be prepared quickly when a housewife looked out her window and saw the preacher riding up the mountain on his horse. By the time the preacher arrived, the cookies were cooling.

    • 2 cups sugar
    • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
    • 1/2 cup milk
    • 1/2 cup margarine (1 stick) or 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
    • Dash salt
    • 1/4 cup peanut butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 cups rolled oats

    In a 2-quart saucepan combine the sugar, cocoa, milk and margarine. Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat until the margarine melts, and the sugar dissolves. Bring the pot to a boil, and reduce the heat slightly. Simmer the mixture for a good five minutes, until the chocolate forms a soft ball when dropped into a bowl of cold water. This is about 234° on a candy thermometer. Remove the pan from the heat when it reaches the soft ball stage. Add the salt, peanut butter and vanilla. Stir until the peanut butter is dissolved. Finally stir in the oatmeal. Drop the mixture from a tablespoon onto a sheet of waxed paper. Depending on the size of the cookie, the recipe makes 15 - 24 cookies.