Easy Goochies Recipe (The BEST No-Bake Cookies!)

Hey, cookie lovers! It’s your friend from scooks.com, and today I am SO excited to share a recipe that holds a special, gooey place in my heart. Let’s talk about Goochies! Have you ever heard of them? If not, you are in for the treat of a lifetime. This is the ultimate no-bake Goochies recipe—a chewy, ridiculously chocolatey, peanut-buttery cookie that comes together in mere minutes. They’re pure nostalgia for me, reminding me of raiding the kitchen after school. Best of all? They’re the perfect answer to that sudden, intense dessert craving without ever having to preheat your oven. Let’s get into it!

Read Also: Easy Snickerdoodle Recipe (Soft & Chewy!)

Why You’ll Love This Goochies Recipe

Honestly, what’s not to love? This is one of those back-pocket recipes you’ll make again and again. Here’s why my family is completely obsessed with this particular Goochies recipe.

• No Oven Required: This is a game-changer! On those sweltering summer days when turning on the oven feels like a crime, these cookies are your salvation. Plus, it frees up oven space during the holidays!
• Ready in Under 30 Minutes: I’m not kidding. From grabbing the ingredients to your first glorious bite, you’re looking at less than 30 minutes. It’s faster than ordering dessert delivery!
• Pantry-Staple Ingredients: You probably have everything you need to make these right now. No fancy ingredients, no special trips to the store—just simple, wholesome goodness waiting in your cupboard.
• Perfectly Gooey & Chewy: We’ve tested and tweaked this recipe to perfection. The result? Goochies that are never dry, never crumbly, and never too sticky. They’re the gold standard of gooey, chewy bliss.
• Endlessly Customizable: Think of this as your perfect starting point. This is a fantastic base recipe that you can easily jazz up with all sorts of fun mix-ins. I’ll share some of my favorites later on!

Ingredients for Perfect Goochies

• Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick)
• Granulated Sugar: 2 cups
• Whole Milk: 1/2 cup
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 1/4 cup
• Creamy Peanut Butter: 1/2 cup
• Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons
• Quick-Cooking Oats: 3 cups
• Fine Sea Salt: 1/2 teaspoon

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Oats: Quick-cooking oats are really the star here; they give the Goochies their classic, tender texture. You can use old-fashioned rolled oats, but just know the cookies will be much chewier and might not set up quite as firmly. Whatever you do, please don’t use steel-cut oats—they just won’t soften enough.
• Peanut Butter: I’m a creamy peanut butter gal for this recipe because it makes the smoothest, most luscious base. But if you love a little texture, crunchy peanut butter is fantastic! For a peanut-free version, almond butter or sunflower seed butter are great substitutes.
• Butter: If you only have salted butter on hand, no worries! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon. For a dairy-free option, you can use an equal amount of coconut oil.
• Milk: Whole milk gives a nice richness, but truly, any dairy or non-dairy milk will work beautifully. I’ve made these with almond milk and oat milk, and they’ve turned out great every time.
• Cocoa Powder: Your standard unsweetened cocoa powder (like Hershey’s) is perfect. If you have Dutch-processed cocoa, that will also work for a darker, more intense chocolate flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Goochies

Step 1: Preparation

First things first, get your landing zone ready! Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or wax paper. Now, go ahead and measure out all your ingredients. Trust me on this—this Goochies recipe moves lightning-fast once you start, so you’ll want everything ready to go.

Step 2: The Critical Boil

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder. Set it over medium heat and stir everything together as the butter melts. Bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil. When I say rolling boil, I mean one where the bubbles are breaking all over the surface and you can’t stir them down. Once you hit that point, start a timer and boil for exactly 60 seconds. Don’t walk away!

Step 3: Mix It All Together

As soon as that timer goes off, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the creamy peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Keep stirring until that peanut butter is completely melted and the mixture is glossy and smooth. Now, quickly fold in the quick-cooking oats until every last oat is coated in that glorious chocolate-peanut butter mixture.

Step 4: Scoop and Set

Time to move! The mixture will start to set up fast. Working quickly, drop heaping tablespoons of the mixture onto your prepared baking sheets. I like to use a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop for this. Let the Goochies sit at room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch and no longer glossy. Then, it’s time to dig in!

Baker’s Tips for Success

Want to absolutely nail this Goochies recipe every single time? Here are my tried-and-true secrets.

• Master the Boil: I can’t say it enough—the 60-second rolling boil is the key to everything. If you boil it for too short a time, your Goochies will be runny and sad. Too long, and they’ll end up dry and crumbly. Set a timer and watch it like a hawk!
• Work Fast: Seriously, the clock is ticking as soon as that pot comes off the stove. The mixture wants to set, so have your station prepped and be ready to scoop like you’re in a cookie competition.
• Use a Cookie Scoop: For Goochies that are all the same size and look extra pretty, a cookie scoop is your best friend. It makes the process so much faster and less messy, too.
• Mind the Weather: Here’s a little no-bake science for you! High humidity can be the enemy of a perfect set. If it’s a particularly rainy or humid day, you might need to let your mixture boil for an extra 10-15 seconds to compensate.

How to Store Goochies

• Room Temperature: Your delicious Goochies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. I like to place a small piece of parchment paper between the layers to keep them from sticking together.
• Refrigerator: If your house is warm or you just prefer a firmer, chewier cookie (my personal favorite!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer: Yes, you can freeze them! Place the set cookies on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer until they’re solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why are my Goochies too sticky and not setting up?

This is the number one question I get! It almost always comes down to the boil time. The sugar mixture didn’t get hot enough, which means it wasn’t boiled for that full 60 seconds at a rolling boil. Don’t just count from when it starts to simmer; wait for those big, active bubbles!

Why did my Goochies turn out dry and crumbly?

This is just the opposite problem—the mixture was boiled for too long. Going much past that 60-90 second mark cooks out too much of the liquid, leaving you with a dry, sandy texture instead of that perfect gooey chew we’re aiming for with this Goochies recipe.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! This recipe is a fantastic gluten-free option. Just make sure you’re using certified gluten-free quick-cooking oats to avoid any cross-contamination, and you’re good to go.

What are some fun variations or mix-ins?

Oh, this is the fun part! Try stirring in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut, mini M&M’s, or mini chocolate chips when you add the oats. One of my favorite things to do is to top the still-warm Goochies with a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt—that sweet and salty combo is just divine!

Enjoy Your Homemade Goochies!

And there you have it—the easiest, most satisfying no-bake cookie on the planet. This Goochies recipe is a true lifesaver for busy weeknights, last-minute bake sales, or anytime you just need a cookie. I hope you love them as much as I do.

If you make them, please let me know! Drop a comment and a rating below to share your Goochie-making experience. Happy no-baking!