This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Chocolate Macaroons (aka Haystacks) are quick no-bake cookies without peanut butter! They’re the perfect treat for your family or guests when you need something in a hurry.
Keep the ingredients for these chocolate coconut macaroons in your cupboard as your dessert emergency kit!
No Bake Cookies without Peanut Butter
While we’ve always called these cookies no-bake macaroons, but they go by other names too like Haystacks or even just chocolate coconut cookies.
While we do make no bake cookies, this recipe is a bit different since there is no need for peanut butter (or flour).
A Note on Oats
Oats are one of those grains that are labeled so many different ways in the grocery store that it’s easy to get confused. For this recipe, you’ll want rolled oats as they will retain their texture. Quick oats will also work for no-bake macaroons if that’s all you have in your cupboard!
How to Make No Bake Cookies without Peanut Butter
You’ll love how easy it is to make these no bake cookies (without peanut butter). We start by boiling the sugar mixture which is then mixed into a few simple ingredients that you likely have on hand! Simply scoop and chill.
- In a large bowl combine oats, coconut and cocoa powder.
- Stir together sugar, butter and milk. Allow to come to a rolling boil for two minutes.
- If you cook too long, the cookies will be dry. If you cook too short, they won’t hold together.
- Mix with dry ingredients and drop by spoonfuls on a cookie sheet. Cool completely.
There are lots of great possibilities for variations here. You can make chocolate chip macaroons by adding a cup of chocolate chips on top before they set completely. Or, you could add a cup of chopped nuts, or raisins — or all three!
More No Bake Recipes
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
- No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
- Strawberry Cheesecake Pie (No Bake)
- No Bake Chips Ahoy! Icebox Cake (4 Ingredients)
- No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
- Chocolate Cashew Clusters
- No Bake Cookies
- Butterscotch Haystacks
Storing No Bake Cookies
How Long Do Coconut Macaroons Last? Coconut macaroons are pretty popular, so don’t expect them to stick around long! Keep them at room temperature in a sealed container for up to a week. (You can keep them longer but they tend to get dry and crumbly after a while).
Can You Freeze Coconut Macaroons? Coconut macaroons will retain their quality for up to four months in the freezer. To freeze, place the cookies in a freezer bag or container.
Chocolate Macaroons (No Bake Cookies without Peanut Butter)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups rolled oats
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, coconut & cocoa powder. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, margarine and milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Let boil for 2 minutes (no longer). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Pour oat mixture into the hot margarine mixture and stir until well mixed. Drop by spoonfuls onto a pan and let cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Perfect just the way they are!
Insanely good. 0_0
Made a half batch just to try it out and needless to say, I’ll be making more. :)
Yummy! Doubled the recipe because they are a favourite. They didn’t really harden…very soft. Any suggestions as to why?
Hi Carla, if you used margarine it could result in them being softer than expected.
I follow the recipe exactly but my cookies always turn out dry. Looking for them to stay gooey.. any suggestions?
You will want to make sure you boil the mixture for no longer than 2 minutes. Any longer can result in dry cookies.
OMG SO YUMMY!! These are gonna disappear so fast!!
my favourite…we made these in our cooking class back inn the 60’s. This recipe is the original.
These cookies are definitely a classic!
Can you use margarine instead of butter and is lactose free milk ok? What about gluten free oats?
Gluten free oats will work just fine. While I haven’t made this dairy free, I do think it would work. Let us know how it goes!
I can’t wait to try these! Could I use coconut oil instead of butter?
I have not tried this recipe with coconut oil but I am not sure it will set up properly without butter. If you do attempt it I would love to hear how it turns out.
Made an account just to say these are SO good
I even replaced the milk with cream (we didn’t have any milk) and put the vanilla in before boiling by accident.
Husband loves them and says he could eat all 20 ahha
I am so happy to hear this recipe was a hit Jessica!
these are my sons all time favorite cookies since he was young and I still make them for him for Christmas and birthday. thank you for repeating the recipe as I have misplaced my own recently.
I found this after losing my original recipe and it is almost identical. I only boiled for 1 minute second time I used it… 2 minutes boiling made them very dry the first time I made them