Childhood Favorites (Part I): No-Bake Cookies

I remember my mom making these yummy treats for my school lunches, and they're still a favorite. At Halloween, we would substitute chow mein noodles for the oatmeal and call them chocolate-covered spiders! They also bring back memories of one of my trips on the schooner Manitou where they were made on the wood-burning stove. The best part about this recipe is that it doesn't involve turning on the oven.

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup peanut butter
3 cups old-fashioned oats, uncooked

Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, milk, and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla and peanut butter, stirring until smooth. Drop by teaspoonfuls (quickly, before they set!) on wax paper and cool until set.