These No-Bake Trail Cookies Taste Delicious and Look Like Literal Sh*t

BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors
·2 min read

This article originally appeared on Backpacker

Naming your dessert after an animal’s bowel movements might not be the most appetizing way to present it. But take it from us: Cow chips, a simple no-bake cookie more prosaically known as haystacks, taste better than they sound or look. In fact, they’re downright delicious. "Since I'm not experienced enough to wing it with some dishes, I often use a Sharpie to write the recipe and cooking directions on the zip-top bags that contain my ingredients,” wrote Mike Wagner of Colmar, Pennsylvania when he set us this recipe way back in 2010. Bonus: With no baking necessary, whipping these up in camp is easy.

Recipe: No-Bake Cow Chips

  • 3 cups plain instant oatmeal

  • 1/4 cup butter or butter substitute

  • 1 2/3 cups sugar

  • 2 tablespoons cocoa (heaping, if desired)

  • 1/2 cup milk (can be powdered)

  • 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

  • Waxed paper

At Home

Put sugar, cocoa, and milk (if using a powdered variety) in a zip-top bag. Place oatmeal in another zip-top bag. Store butter and peanut butter in a leakproof container (a small insulated bottle can help in hot weather.)

In Camp

Combine butter, sugar, cocoa, and milk (plus water if using powdered) in a pot. Bring to a boil at medium-high heat, stirring gently every minute or so to mix. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter (first), then vanilla and oatmeal. Drop mixture by the spoonful onto waxed paper. Let cool (about 15 minutes for gooey cookies, 25 to 30 minutes for firm ones). Serve, and then "humbly receive the praise," says Wagner. Makes about 24 cookies.

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