Kids Recipes: No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Cookies

I‘ve decided to start featuring kids recipes that my daughter (almost 4 years old) can start and finish on her own. They don’t involve any heat or sharp knives. This no-bake cookie recipe is fast and appropriate for preschoolers with short attention spans. Double it if you have an older, more patient child. Those of you that like cookie dough, will love these.

I set up the equipment and ingredients for her. For example, I poured milk into a measuring cup because the carton was too heavy. I also loosened the lids on the almond butter (we were out of peanut butter) and vanilla. She took care of the rest.

It’s important for kids to add ingredients themselves, otherwise, they may not feel like the finished product is completely theirs. Let them ask for help if they need it, otherwise stay out of it. Photos show measurements of doubled recipe, which was too much for my daughter.

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No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Cookies

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cups oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1/2 cup granola cereal (we used Crunchy Vanilla Almond Granola from Wild Harvest)
1/2 cups chocolate or peanut butter chips (optional)

Directions:
1. Let the kids measure what they can. I recently bought these Le Creuset Silicone Measuring Bowls and can’t praise them enough.

2. Combine the sugar, peanut butter, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. If your peanut butter is on the dry side, you may need to add more milk.
Tip: Get a small rubber spatula and teach the kids how to get the peanut butter off the spoon and scrape the side of the bowl. Otherwise, they may get frustrated.

3. Add oats, granola and chocolate chips. Make sure there aren’t any unusually large granola chunks present. Rolling balls with big granola chunks is hard.

4. Stir until completely mixed. Use spoon or hands.

5. Form into 1″ balls (or smaller, a little goes a long way).

6. Optional: Roll the balls in a thin layer of powdered sugar. This will help if they are sticky and add a little extra sweetness. I prefer them this way. You could even try wheat germ, if that makes you feel better. If you omit this step, the cookies will dry on their own a little, which makes them easier to handle.

7. Clean up mess. There will be mess, but it’s worth it.

Makes about 2 dozen no bake cookies. Store in an air tight container and try not to eat them all in one sitting.