No-bake cookies can be a lot of fun to make. It’s a great choice when you’re looking for something simple to make that won’t take a lot of time.
If you’re new to making them, you might be wondering how to do certain things. For instance, some people have trouble getting the cookies to harden.
Is there a trick that will make hardening the cookies easier? Or is it something that you need to be patient about?
Below, you’ll learn how to make sure you get great results.
Make Sure You’re Using the Right Ingredients
You want to make sure that you’re using the right ingredients. Remember that you should follow the recipe to a tee if you want to get optimal results.
Sometimes people make the mistake of using ingredients that are close to the ones that are suggested. For example, you might use a different type of oats than the recipe calls for.
Using a different type of oats could cause things to turn out differently. It might make the no bake cookies take a longer time to set up.
This can be a bit of a nuisance. It doesn’t mean that the cookies won’t harden, but it could take longer than usual or you might have the cookies turn out a little bit different.
To avoid situations like this, it’s best to follow the recipe closely. Do your best to use the right type of ingredients and everything will be much easier overall.
Put the Cookies On Cooling Racks

It’ll be beneficial to put the cookies on cooling racks. You want to let them cool so that they’ll have time to harden.
One of the best ways to do this is to use traditional cooling racks. Doing this helps the heat to leave the cookies faster than if you just kept them on the cookie sheet.
Of course, the cookies should set up just fine on their own if you simply wait. If you don’t own cooling racks, you don’t necessarily have to run out to buy some just to enjoy no bake cookies.
You can simply leave them on a counter to give them time to set up. Place aluminum foil or parchment paper on the counter and then lay the cookies out.
Ensure that they have enough space and that they aren’t touching. It’ll take a little while for them to cool and harden, but everything should go fine so long as the cookies turn out properly.
Use the Refrigerator
Using the refrigerator is highly recommended when you want the cookies to harden all the way. You see, certain ingredients are going to have a hard time setting up at room temperature.
The peanut butter, butter, and chocolate might take a long time to set up when you just put the cookies on the counter. They should set up and harden eventually, but it can take quite a bit of time.
Refrigerating the cookies can help them to harden significantly faster. It’s the perfect choice when you simply want to eat them as soon as you can.
Of course, there is a potential downside to doing this. The consistency of the cookies will be slightly different if you refrigerate them.
Even so, the cookies are still going to taste fantastic. If you’re fine with the slight change to consistency, it’s a good idea to put the no bake cookies in the fridge to allow them to harden fast.
How Long Do No Bake Cookies Take to Harden?

The amount of time it will take for no bake cookies to harden will differ depending on the method you choose to use. If you’re going to use a cooling rack, it’ll likely take between thirty and forty five minutes for the cookies to cool and harden.
Using a refrigerator will speed things up substantially. The cookies should harden within fifteen minutes when placed in the fridge.
If you’re impatient, it makes sense to just allow them to harden in the fridge. Some people prefer the consistency of no bake cookies that harden at room temperature, though.
You just have to give the cookies enough time to harden no matter what your chosen method is. They will surely be delicious when they’ve hardened and the wait will be worth it.
Using Enough Oats is Important
If you don’t use enough oats in the recipe, it’s possible that things will turn out wrong. Sometimes people make the mistake of using too few oats and the mixture won’t feel thick enough.
When you feel like the no bake cookie mixture is too thin, it’s likely that you need to add more oats. Add more oats to the mix and stir everything thoroughly.
If you’re following a recipe, using the amount of oats that is called for should be fine. Just ensure that you’re measuring everything out properly.
It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re doing a double or triple batch of cookies. Sometimes you might forget to multiply one or two of the ingredients.
So long as you’re using enough oats and the other ingredients are right, the cookies should be thick enough. Just remember to pay attention to the measurements.
How to Avoid Burning No Bake Cookies

It’s frustrating when your batch of no bake cookies comes out wrong. Are your cookies burned?
You can easily burn the sugar mixture when you’re boiling everything. This happens to a lot of people when they’re making no bake cookies for the first time.
Be careful when you’re boiling the sugar mixture. You might be trying to boil everything at a high heat setting to save time, but this is a mistake.
To get consistent results, boil the sugar mixture over medium-high heat. This will allow you to make everything turn out properly without burning the mixture.
How Should You Store No Bake Cookies?
Storing no bake cookies is another important thing to get right. If you don’t store them right, they’ll dry out and won’t taste very good.
Ideally, you want to put the cookies in an airtight container. This helps to keep them from drying out and it generally keeps them safe.
If you make enough that you won’t be able to finish them in one night, it’s best to store them in an airtight plastic container. You can then place them on the counter in a safe spot.
The cookies should stay good for around one week when you keep them on the counter. If you’d like them to stay good for a bit longer than that, you can put the airtight container of no bake cookies in the refrigerator.
Why Are My No Bake Cookies Crumbly?

You certainly don’t want your no cake cookies to turn out crumbly. Sadly, it’s common for people to have this happen.
It’s more common for this to occur when people try to substitute ingredients. For example, you might try to use a substitute for some of the ingredients that contain fat.
If you’re on a diet, you might not want to use full-fat peanut butter or real butter in the recipe. However, the fat content is a crucial aspect of getting the cookies right.
You can’t just replace these ingredients with options that contain less fat. Things won’t turn out right.
When you do this, it causes the cookies to turn out drier than usual. They’ll also be very crumbly and the cookies simply won’t have a strong structure.
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy no bake cookies without having to deal with high fat content, it’d be best to seek out a low-fat recipe. This will ensure that the recipe is balanced well enough so everything will turn out well.
Final Thoughts
Now you’ve learned how to harden no bake cookies. These cookies are delicious and they’re going to please the entire family.
The fact that no bake cookies are so easy to make will make them very appealing. It’s not as complicated to make them, and that lets you make them quite fast.
You can enjoy making these for your family on the weekend as a treat. If you ensure that you use the right ingredients and follow the recipe closely, you’ll get consistently great results.
Be sure to boil the sugar mixture over medium-high heat to avoid burning it. You don’t want to ruin the taste.
The cookies should set up and harden for you as they cool. Generally, it’ll take between thirty and forty five minutes to get them to harden on a cooling rack.
You can make things go much faster by putting the cookies in the fridge. They’ll harden in fifteen minutes when placed in the fridge, but it’ll alter the consistency of the cookies just a bit.
Enjoy your no bake cookies and be sure to share them with those that you love. It’ll likely become a staple dessert in your household due to how convenient it is to make.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.