Preacher Cookies: No-Bake Recipe Makes Quick Fans, Last-Minute Super Bowl Sweet To Make

Preacher Cookies
A no bake, easy and quick snack to make for Super Bowl is a concocotion called ''preacher cookies.'' Brown Eyed Baker

A sweet concoction called "preacher cookies" used to be a cornerstone of American snack foods because they were fast, low mess and didn't require a heated oven -- which mattered to many people during summers who lived in apartments or homes that were not air-conditioned. But legend has it this chocolate-based cookie got its name because it could be prepared quickly when people looked out their windows and saw the preacher, often unexpectedly, riding up the mountain on his horse. "By the time the preacher arrived, the cookies were cooling," states Hillbilly Housewife. On a day such as Super Bowl, preacher cookies are still something possible to whip up in a jiffy!

Many people believe this recipe is the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy, chocolate and nutty. One person online ever referred to them as "cool as a popsicle and as sweet as a slice of fudge."

The cookie apparently has different names in different parts of the United States. People from the Appalachians call them preacher cookies, but some others refer to them as "cow-patties." People from Texas call them poodgies, pronounced as "pooooooodgies." Others refer to the confection, according to the Winston-Salem Journal, as boiled cookies, chocolate stovetop cookies, peanut-butter delights, chocolate no-bake drops or simply "no bake cookies."

Modern off-shoots of the recipe include ingredients such as hazel-flavored Nutella or dulce de leche. The recipe is pretty forgiving, so one can experiment with it; just keep in mind various ingredients may affect the cookie's ultimate texture.

Following is the basic preacher cookies recipe for purists: 

½ cup butter

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

2 cups sugar

½ cup milk

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 cups quick cooking oatmeal

¼ cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix the cocoa powder, butter, sugar, milk, and salt in a double boiler or regular pot. Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add the peanut butter, vanilla, and oatmeal-not the instant kind, just quick oats. Mix it all together. Drop them by tablespoonfuls on a plate. (Wax paper is even better if you have it.) Pop in the fridge for a few hours and enjoy.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.