Yummy Chocolatey No Bake Cookies

After sharing how I recently botched this recipe (see item #8 on THIS post), I know some of you might hesitate to try these. That's alright - it'll probably save you ten pounds. But for those of you who heart rich chocolate as much as me, you'll try this recipe. THIS is the link to the original recipe. There are at least 4 other versions of this recipe on the site. I used to use the recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa canister, but they have a different recipe on my can now.

The variation below is my Successful modification.

1 c. sugar (most peanut butter already has a bunch of sugar, so reducing to one cup is fine).
1/2 c. milk (we usually have 1% in our fridge)
1/4 c. butter (I'd rather have more peanut butter than sheer saturated fat - that's why I reduce the butter and increase the peanut butter)
4 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 c. peanut butter (I use Skippy Natural creamyl - no trans fat, but sweetened for my kids. They don't like nuts and I think I prefer this treat to be chewy, not crunchy).
3 c. oats (I actually prefer the Old Fashioned variety because I like the texture, but this is a great way to use up the quick cooking variety)
1 t. vanilla
1/4 c. flaxseed flour (optional) - If I don't add the flax & coconut, I often add a bit more oats. I buy the flax seeds and grind them in a little coffee grinder - I keep a bag in the freezer ready to use. Flax has a nutty flavor and contains omega3 & fiber:)
1/4 c. coconut (optional) - I love the additional flavor

I'm no longer interested in seeing how wheat or oat germ can be added.

Directions:

In a medium saucepan combine sugar, milk, butter, & cocoa. Bring to a boil. I've never fussed over how long I boil - recipe says to cook for 1 1/2 minutes. I'm usually too eager to add the peanut butter and watch it melt in. I don't need to follow the recipe here, because I actually LIKE the cookies to be more like gooey haystacks. There are many reviews on Allrecipes discussing the cook time. Truth is that I leave the heat on low until the peanut butter is all swirled in. Then remove from heat and add remaining ingredients (vanilla, oats, flax, coconut). I like the mix to be sufficiently coated, but I let more oats join the party if the treat is looking like straight fudge. I don't think cookies are supposed to be healthy, but this minimizes the worst- for-you ingredients and enhances the better-for-you ones. I feel good about that.

Spread out some wax paper and drop by BIG TABLESPOONS (my preference). The recipe says to let cool until hardened. I love them warm and gooey.