A Sweetie For Friday

If you grew up in the south, then at one holiday or another you encountered "Fudgies" "Cow Patties" "Peanut Butter No-bake Cookies" or "Peanut Butter Chocolate Drops." These are all the same cookie/candy with the name changing from household to household. 

For me, as a child, this was such a comfort food. Every holiday there would be counters filled with all sorts of miniature desserts and candies, but these were the ones that would send their aroma all over the house and let me know that cookies and candies were almost ready. I remember peering over the edge of the counter for exactly 15 minutes until they were cool enough to solidify and snag and dash to the bedroom and cram it in my mouth before the empty spot on the wax paper was noticed. I was a professional chocoholic early on in life...call it a gift!

These guys are an absolute crowd pleaser! I mean how could you possibly go wrong with peanut butter, chocolate, and oatmeal? There are a million ways to vary the recipe and it is a fantastic recipe to whip up with the kids for a yummy teacher gift! The batch in the pictures has a couple of alternative ingredients- 1 1/2 Cups of Rice Cereal (subbed for half of the Oats) and 1/2 tsp of Cayenne just for a little kick! You can also choose your chocolate strength. I am a dark chocolate girl, so I used Dutch Processed Coco Powder. Regular Coco powder will create more of a milk chocolate and stronger peanut butter flavor. It is really your choice to play with as you like! Here's the basic recipe...PLAY AWAY! 

Fudgies

1/4 Cup of Coco Powder (Dutch Processed for Dark/ Regular Coco for Milk Chocolate)

1 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar

1 Stick Unsalted Butter (Cut or cubed)

1/2 Cup of Milk

3/4 Cup Peanut Butter

3 Cups of QUICK Oats 

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 tsp Cinnamon

Wax Paper or Parchment


In a Medium Saucepan combine Coco and Sugar until they are completely mixed and no lumps of Coco remain. Stir in milk until mixture is a chocolate sauce consistency. 

Place saucepan over medium high heat and add butter.

As butter melts, stir until completely incorporated.

Bring to a rolling boil. 

Be patient this may take a little while.

Once rolling boil is reached, stir once or twice and set a timer for two minutes.

After two minutes stir in vanilla, cinnamon, and peanut butter and remove from heat.

Stir in Quick Oats, 1 Cup at a time until all oats are incorporated.

Drop on sheets of wax paper by Tablespoon sized drops, about an inch apart, and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes.

TAH DAHHH!

Variation Ideas:

For a kick Cayenne 1/4 tsp

For a different nutty flavor 3/4 Cup of Almond Butter and swap Almond extract for Vanilla

For a richer Sugar Flavor use 1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar for 1/2 of Granulated Sugar

I also have a Hazelnut Mocha Batch rolling around in my noggin. Once I tackle it, I will post and please give it a go!

I hope you try these!

Have fun and enjoy!

MLL