Cow Patties

By Addie

As soon as I took my first bite of these I immediately thought that they tasted like the icing for the Texas Sheet Cake that I love so much. After thinking about it, the ingredients are very similar – butter, sugar and cocoa that are boiled together. The peanut butter and oats help to cut the sweetness and add great flavor and texture.

These really are as easy as they sound, and a great recipe to make with kids if you have any little hands eager to help in the kitchen. I’m sure they’ll love eating the “dough” straight from the bowl! The only suggestion I have is when you drop the dough onto the wax paper-lined sheets, they will pretty much set in whatever shape they are already in, with minimal spreading. After I realized this I used the back of the spoon to smooth them out and flatten them a bit to give them more of a “cookie” shape.

MY NOTES: Jack really liked these A LOT!

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats

Preparation

Step 1

Place several sheets of wax paper on your counter or kitchen table.

Measure 3 cups of oats, the peanut butter and the vanilla into a large heatproof bowl. Set aside.

Place the butter, sugar, milk and cocoa in a small saucepan. Give them a quick stir. Turn the heat on high, and leave the mixture alone. (No more stirring.) Bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil, and let it boil for exactly 1 minute. Remove immediately from the heat, and pour the chocolate mixture over the oats and peanut butter.

Use a large wooden spoon to quickly stir the ingredients together. (If the mixture seems runny or it’s a very humid day, stir in the remaining half-cup of oats.)

Working with two spoons or a small ice cream scoop, drop the mixture by tablespoons onto the wax paper.

Let the cookies cool until set.