Photo: Megan Von Schönoff

A Trendy Upgrade for a Classic
Oat-based cookies shake off their old-fashioned reputation with this recipe from Addie Gundry's new book, No-Bake Desserts. There's nary a raisin in sight—instead, these treats incorporate ingredients you don't normally see with oats but that work surprisingly well, such as espresso and coconut. You start by microwaving sugar, milk and butter; next, you pour the mixture over a bowl of oats, peanut butter, coconut, cocoa powder, espresso powder, vanilla and salt; then mix, spooning the dough into balls on a cookie sheet. Let them sit for an hour, until they're set, and enjoy.

Get the recipe: Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Photo: Megan Von Schönoff

The Sweetest Use for Noodles
Dry chow mein noodles may seem like an unlikely cookie ingredient, but bear with us. The thin, lightly salted sticks have a satisfying crunch, and also take to melted chocolate—or melted anything, really—like a dream. In this recipe, Gundry combines them with butterscotch, peanut butter and white chocolate, and then stirs in some salted peanuts. She drops them in little "haystacks" on a baking sheet and lets them firm up for 20 minutes. The finished treats are sweet, salty and wonderfully crispy.

Get the recipe: Butterscotch Haystacks

Photo: Rachel Been

Thin and Marvelously Minty Treats
Nothing delivers that signature whoosh of coolness like a chocolate-mint confection, and these meltaways have the flavor combo in spades. Peppermint oil, which you can find in health-food stores as a dietary supplement, or peppermint extract will both do the job. And just like the Girl Scout variety, these cookies are fantastic when eaten straight from the freezer.

Get the recipe: Chocolate Mint Meltaways

Photo: © 4ingredients.com.au

The Speedy Marzipan
The ingredients list for these nutty sweets could not be shorter: almond paste, powdered sugar, corn syrup and pecans (as an alternative, you could use almonds, whole or slivered). As an added bonus, the cookies are extra sturdy, so don't worry about piling them up in a big container and bringing them to a party—they should withstand the trip just fine.

Get the recipe: Marzipan Marbles

Photo: Christal Sczebel

The Dessert That'll Have You Dreaming of the Beach
We love key lime pie and coconut cake—but you can't beat the ovenless version for instant gratification. They start with almond meal (or ground almonds), coconut flour, shredded coconut, maple syrup, lime juice, almond milk and lime zest. Then you add chopped dates until you've got a mixture you can form into balls. Roll them in more shredded coconut and lime zest, and you've got a zesty, cookie-like treat.

Get the recipe: Lime and Coconut Balls
Published 05/24/2017