Desserts = LOVE

So, those of you who know me know that 9 times out of 10 I will always definitely order one of the healthier items off the menu. 

I try to live my life making as many healthy choices as I can on a regular basis.  This allows for me to enjoy myself at birthday/dinner parties where I have little control over what goes on to my plate.

That being said, 9 times out of 10 I will also ALWAYS order dessert, with some concern as to its calorie count. I have tried to make an effort on this because lets' face it... the dessert that hits my lips DEFINITELY finds its way to my hips!! So, when I find a dessert recipe that looks pretty easy and is a bit healthier than eating a cup of ice cream, I jump on it!

That's where the No-Bake Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Cookies join the scene.   I don't know how I found these, and I don't know why I decided I had to make them, but let me tell you I am so glad I did! These things are delicious!!! Mine did not turn out as pretty as the ones on Brown Eyed Baker but based on her description of how they tasted I am pretty sure they taste the same!! I'm not sure if using the Simply Jif had anything to do with with my weird texture on the "dough", but I'm bummed because I usually have freshly ground PB in the house.  When I was getting the ingredients together I found this tub that hubs-man had bought a few months back, I realized now was as good a time as any to try it since we didn't have the other one.  So, go ahead and try out these amazing cookies and tell me what you think! I'm thinking I will try to figure out a way to make them even healthier next time... what do you think?

High Fiber & chocolatey goodness,

<3 T

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No-Bake Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Cookies

Yield: 2 to 3 dozen cookies  Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooling Time: 30 minutes

½ cup (1 stick) butter  

2 cups granulated sugar

½ cup milk

4 tablespoons cocoa powder

½ cup peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups quick-cooking oats

Add the first four ingredients (through the cocoa powder) to a 4-quart saucepan.

Bring to a rolling boil and let boil for 1 minute.

Remove from heat, and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.

Add in the oats.

Stir the oats until the oats are all properly coated with the chocolate mixture, making sure not to let the chocolate cool too much in the process or it wont set properly.

Drop by heaping tablespoons onto wax paper-lined baking sheets.

Let cool until set.

(Recipe adapted from Ezra Pound Cake as posted by Brown Eyed Baker)