“Yard Sausages”

. . . Better Known as No-Bake Peanut Butter–Oatmeal Cookies

It’s been getting warmer here. And with Memorial Day weekend upon us, it’s time to start thinking of cookies that don’t require baking.

Sue’s brother-in-law calls these “yard sausages” because of the way they look. The Davises used to have an elderly dog, Buffy, who had to be let out real often for you-know-what. She was a sweet, fat old dog with soft, loving eyes, but you had to watch your step when you walked in their yard. You know what I mean.

Now: Once you shake the image of a squatting Buffy out of your mind and try one of these cookies, you’ll agree these are really good.

This recipe came from The Southern Living Cookbook, compiled and edited by Susan Carlisle Payne (Birmingham, Ala.: Oxmoor House, 1987). Everyone knows that Southern Living has lots of excellent recipes.

But most directly, this recipe came to me via Sue’s mom, who generally didn’t appreciate having her cookies compared to doggie doo. I copied it from her at Christmas 1997—back when Buffy was still around, bless her sweet heart.

The Recipe

2 c. sugar
1/4 c. cocoa
1/4 c. butter or margarine
1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 c. regular oats, uncooked
3/4 c. crunchy peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk in a heavy saucepan; stir well. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, and boil 1 minute. Stir in oats, peanut butter, and vanilla. Drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased wax paper; cool thoroughly. Yield: about 4 dozen.

Note: I certainly hope I’m not going to get in trouble with Southern Living for quoting a recipe from them; I’ve credited them, right? And said nice things about their high-quality publications, right? And my genuine endorsement of this recipe amounts to a glowing review, right? (Big, ingratiating smile.)