This is one of my mom’s recipes. I can’t even guess how many times she made these chocolatey wonders for my brother, sister and I when we were growing up.
They are amazingly simple, yummy and cheap to make and I love making them for my own family.
One caution for those that like to change recipes and use what you have (as I do!) – you can’t substitute anything for the instant oats or the cookies won’t set properly and you’ll have a gooey mess.
better known as “Cow Patties” or “Mud Cookies”
by my mom, Leona
8 tbs (one stick) butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sugar
4 tbs bakers cocoa
3 cups quick-cooking oats (also called instant oats)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanut butter (optional…extra yummy with crunchy!)
In a medium saucepan, bring butter, milk, sugar and coca to a boil. Boil for two minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and immediately add oats, vanilla and peanut butter. Stir well. Drop by 1/4 cup-fulls on to wax paper (an ice cream scoop works well).
Allow to cool completely. The cookies will get firm and lose their shine as they cool.
Store in an airtight container. Try not to eat too many…or you’ll get a tummy ache!
Sewhooked 
I love these cookies too! My husbands family calls them Missouri cookies. I have heard many different names so far but cow pie cookies has to be the cutest name ever!
My mom always called them cow patties…it was a source of serious amusement when we were growing up!
Last year at x-mas I made these, added edible gliter and called them Santa’s magic reindeer poop.
can you make these without milk?
I honestly don’t know. If I were to guess, I’d say you can probably substitute water for the milk. Let me know if you try it, I’d be happy to update the recipe!
actually here to watch [again!] your really good Paperpiecing Tutorial but, wadering round the rest of the site, can’t resist asking, “won’t the chocolate saucepan melt on the heat????”
[sorry but I’m English!]