Buttery and chewy with rich chocolate flavor and melted caramel are the hallmarks of these delicious no-bake cookies. With deliciousness in every bite, these caramel no-bake cookies are also rapid and easy to make!

If you think that no-bake cookies are only reserved for summertime sweet treats when the weather is hot and you can’t even think of turning on the oven, it’s time to reconsider that idea! These cookies are perfect any time of the year, especially if you’re craving a chewy chocolate cookie with gooey caramel in every bite! They’re just as awesome in the winter with a mug of hot cocoa or in the summer with a glass of cold milk.

So elevate your no-bake cookie game to gourmet status with these swoon-worthy caramels, oats, and cocoa no-bake cookies. Your friends and family will thank you!

What are no-bake cookies?
If you’re new to the no-bake cookie game, no worries. They typically require less work and mess than traditional cookies, which is why they’re such a popular treat to make.
You’ll be pleased to know that these caramel no-bake cookies don’t require flour, a mixer, chilling the dough, or carefully overseeing the oven to ensure the cookies don’t burn.

Instead, you’ll be delighted to discover that most of the work is done on the stovetop in a saucepan. The cookie ingredients are stirred together over heat before being scooped into bite-sized drops onto parchment paper and left to set into irresistible cookies. What could be easier?

Ingredients and substitutions
You probably have most of the ingredients for this caramel no-bake cookies recipe in your pantry already, but here are a few common variations and substitutions.

- Sugar – Use granulated white or cane sugar, not brown sugar.
- Milk – This recipe works best with whole milk, but you can also use half and half. The thickness and
cream content is key here. You can also use dairy-free milk, such as almond or coconut milk, but the results may vary. - Butter – Salted or unsalted is fine.
- Cocoa – Use unsweetened cocoa.
- Old-fashioned oats – You can use either quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats. The difference is that the old-fashioned oats will produce a chewier cookie while the quick-cooking will be more tender. Either is fine. You can also use gluten-free oats with no problem.
- Peanut butter – Use either creamy or crunchy peanut butter. If you don’t have peanut butter, you can easily substitute it with almond or nut butter. The taste will vary just a bit.
- Vanilla – Hopefully, you always have vanilla extract on hand, but if not, the almond extract will do in a pinch, or you can leave it out altogether.
- Caramels – Integral to the recipe so make sure you have a bag of these on hand!

Top tips for making these no-bake cookies
- Pre-measure all your ingredients so that they’re ready to go.
- Have your cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat liner so that it’s ready to go.
- Make sure you boil the mixture for a full minute. Start timing it immediately after the mixture begins to boil. Boiling for the full minute will help ensure that the cookie set up correctly.
- If for some reason your cookies are taking too long to set up or seem too gooey, just pop the tray in the fridge to help them harden. Next time, make sure that you boil the mixture for the full minute.

How to store these no-bake cookies
Keep your caramel no-bake cookies in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Are these no-bake cookies freezer-friendly?
Yes, they are. Make sure they’re in an air-tight and freezer-friendly container. They will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. Let them defrost in the fridge overnight before serving.

Ingredients
- sugar
- milk
- butter
- cocoa powder
- old fashioned oats
- peanut butter
- vanilla
- caramels

Directions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, bring the butter, milk, sugar, and cocoa to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute and remove from the heat.
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla. Stir to combine.
- Add the oats and stir until blended.
- Place the pan back on the warm burner, but don’t turn on the heat. Add the caramels and stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the caramels are melted.
- Stir well, and drop by the teaspoonful onto the parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Let sit for at least 45 minutes to allow cookies to set.
These caramel no-bake cookies are the perfect treat for your family. They’re also great for cookie exchanges, holiday cookie trays, potlucks, and summertime dessert tables. If you have kids, they’ll gobble these up, so make sure to stash a few away for yourself!

Related recipes
No-Bake Rocky Road Avalanche Bars
28 Of The Best No-Bake Desserts
Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find a wide variety of easy yet scrumptious recipes on her very popular website Moore or Less Cooking
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Caramel No-Bake Cookies
These Caramel No Bake Cookies are some of the best no-bake cookies I've ever eaten. The caramel is gooey, and the cookies are so chocolaty and melt in your mouth. These are so simple to make, and you can have them done quickly. Everyone will love these, so make sure to keep these no-bakes in your favorites!
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 stick butter
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
- 10 to 12 caramels
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Bring the butter, milk, sugar, and cocoa to a boil over medium heat in a medium saucepan, stirring constantly.
- Boil for one minute, and remove from the heat. Add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir to combine.
- Add the oats and stir until blended.
- Place the pan back on the warm burner, but don't turn on the heat.
- Add the caramels, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes until the caramels are melted.
- Stir well, and drop the teaspoonful onto the Parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Let sit for at least 45 minutes to allow cookies to set. Refrigerate in an air-tight container.
- It may be kept for up to 5 days if kept refrigerated.
- Enjoy!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
2 Quart Saucepan
-
Parchment Paper
-
Baking Sheet
-
Kraft America's Classic Caramels, 11 Ounce (Pack of 2)
-
Rodelle Gourmet Pure Vanilla Extract, 8 Oz
-
SKIPPY Peanut Butter Spread - Creamy - Natural - 15 Ounce
-
Amazon Brand - Happy Belly Old Fashioned Oats, 18 Ounce
-
365 Everyday Value, Organic Cocoa Powder, 8 oz
-
365 Everyday Value, Unsalted Butter, 16 oz
-
Organic Valley, Organic Low Fat Cultured Buttermilk, Pasteurized, Quart, 32 Ounces
-
Domino Sugar, Granulated, 4LB Canister


Caramel No-Bake Cookies
These Caramel No Bake Cookies are some of the best no-bake cookies I've ever eaten. The caramel is gooey, and the cookies are so chocolaty and melt in your mouth. These are so simple to make, and you can have them done quickly. Everyone will love these, so make sure to keep these no-bakes in your favorites!
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 stick butter
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
- 10 to 12 caramels
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Bring the butter, milk, sugar, and cocoa to a boil over medium heat in a medium saucepan, stirring constantly.
- Boil for one minute, and remove from the heat. Add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir to combine.
- Add the oats and stir until blended.
- Place the pan back on the warm burner, but don't turn on the heat.
- Add the caramels, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes until the caramels are melted.
- Stir well, and drop the teaspoonful onto the Parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Let sit for at least 45 minutes to allow cookies to set. Refrigerate in an air-tight container.
- It may be kept for up to 5 days if kept refrigerated.
- Enjoy!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
2 Quart Saucepan
-
Parchment Paper
-
Baking Sheet
-
Kraft America's Classic Caramels, 11 Ounce (Pack of 2)
-
Rodelle Gourmet Pure Vanilla Extract, 8 Oz
-
SKIPPY Peanut Butter Spread - Creamy - Natural - 15 Ounce
-
Amazon Brand - Happy Belly Old Fashioned Oats, 18 Ounce
-
365 Everyday Value, Organic Cocoa Powder, 8 oz
-
365 Everyday Value, Unsalted Butter, 16 oz
-
Organic Valley, Organic Low Fat Cultured Buttermilk, Pasteurized, Quart, 32 Ounces
-
Domino Sugar, Granulated, 4LB Canister



MARY JO REYNOLDS
Monday 10th of June 2024
When do you add the stick of butter?
Nettie
Monday 10th of June 2024
Mary Jo, In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, bring the butter, milk, sugar, and cocoa to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute and remove from the heat.
Nettie
joanne
Tuesday 24th of October 2023
Will these cookies be mailable if they're frozen first? They sound good & I would like to send some to my sister in NM
Nettie
Wednesday 25th of October 2023
That sounds like it will work well!
Nettie
Margaret
Tuesday 20th of September 2022
Can these cookies be made without peanut or other nut butter butter? If so, what can I use for a substitute for nut butter?
Nettie
Tuesday 20th of September 2022
Hi Margaret,
I tell other readers, that if you have a peanut allergy, you can use WOW BUTTER, instead of Peanut butter in this recipe, and you can choose either smooth or crunchy. If you’re not familiar with WOW BUTTER, it’s made in a Nut-Free Facility, tastes like peanut butter, and is the consistency of Peanut Butter. You can also substitute with cashew butter or almond butter, Sunflower Seed Butter, tahini, soynut butter, or coconut butter. I have not tried this recipe with any of these substitutes, so if you like the outcome, please come back and let me know what worked for you.
Nettie
Miz Helen
Friday 16th of April 2021
Your awesome post is featured on Full Plate Thursday,532 this week, and we are pinning the post to our Features Board. Thanks so much for sharing you talent with us and come back to see us real soon! Miz Helen
Nettie
Friday 16th of April 2021
Thank you for featuring my cookies Miz Helen! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Nettie