Or in this case, Mom’s Fudge Balls since I rolled them. These were one of my favorite treats as a child. Mom would make them and my four sisters and I would devour them like a plague of locusts. Then we got old enough to make them ourselves so we made them all the time. And we devoured them like locust.
Mom’s Fudge Drops – no one can eat just one. I’m serious.
Anywho… did I mention this snack was always one of my favorites? Well, I made them again just so I could share them with you. Because I think you need these. No, I KNOW you need these. And while they look totally decadent, they’re really not bad. Okay, stop laughing and shaking your head. I mean it – there are whole oats in there. Old-fashioned oats. So they’re practically a health food (she says with her fingers crossed behind her back). Okay, judge for yourself then.
Mom’s Fudge Drops:
1 stick butter, unsalted
1 cup sugar (Mom used 2 cups; I use 1)
1/2 cup good quality cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups old-fashioned oats (I love Bob’s Red Mill)
1/2 cup shredded or flaked coconut (optional)
Grab a large saucepan with a heavy bottom and melt the stick of butter over medium heat. While that’s melting, combine the sugar and cocoa in a small mixing bowl and whisk until well combined. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the sugar/cocoa mixture and add the milk, whisking until blended. Turn the heat up to medium-high and continue to whisk until the mixture comes to a boil. Don’t walk away while this is cooking, or it will burn! Stand there and whisk it until it comes to a boil and has the texture of glossy hot fudge sauce.
Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth, then turn off the heat. Using a sturdy wooden spoon, add the old-fashioned oats and coconut, stirring until well combined. Using a cookie scoop or a metal spoon, scoop and drop onto parchment or waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Allow them to cool to room temperature. Once cool, they will still be soft and pliable. If you want to roll them into balls, now is the time. Gently roll each drop in your hands until a ball forms and put them back onto the waxed paper. Or, if you like them just fine as drops, leave them as is. Either way, pop the baking sheet into the refrigerator for about an hour to allow them to firm up completely. Once firm, you can layer them into an airtight container. These will keep in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.
If you really want to get fancy, you can roll the balls in cocoa powder, powdered sugar, ground peanuts or even graham cracker crumbs before you refrigerate them. Talk about getting dressed up for a party!
Pop a few in a plastic bag, and these make a perfect lunchbox treat for school kids or a great afternoon snack for a working girl or the perfect easy breakfast for a stay-at-home mom. At my house, they’re all mine. The Complete Package won’t touch them. And that, my friends, is what they call a win/win.
Fudge, oats, coconut & peanut butter for the win!
Now DROP me a line and let’s talk favorite childhood treats. Was yours homemade or store-bought? Do you still make them as an adult, either for yourself or for your children? And if your favorite was the ever-present never-perishable Twinkie, that’s okay too. No judging here. I grew up eating those, too. Although, for the record, I will always be a pink & fluffy Snowball kind of girl.
Inside NanaBread's Head 
YES!!! Son #2 saw this post & the first words out of his mouth were “Wow! Can I make these with soybutter?” Hey Ferb! I know what he’s going to do today!” I used to love no-bakes as a kid because I wasn’t allowed to use the oven when my mom was at work, but somehow no-bakes were on the approved “baking” list. As far as packaged treats go? I was a chocolate Zinger or Hostess Lemon or Cherry pie girl. Not that my mom ever bought the pies. ;)
It was the same at my house. Money was tight, so Mom never bought those snack cakes or other treats. Instead, we had homemade stuff – from scratch. I don’t even remember Mom buying cake mixes until I was in high school. We used to sneak “those” snacks at friends’ homes and it felt like such a special treat. We were so ignorant; or at the very least, misguided. Homemade goodies are so much better. Turns out Mom really did know best.
Let me know how it goes with #2. If he makes them, he needs to come back here and leave a comment review. PS – every few years, I buy one of those Hostess cherry pies at a convenience store just for old times sake. Same goes for Snowballs. :)
This was an absolute favorite as a child. I haven’t seen the coconut added but that’s extra protein and fiber. I’m thinking of using 1 1/2c oats and the other 1 1/2c Kamut Flakes– http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-u-s-kamut-flakes-i97999 — for additional fiber and protein
During the holidays I make these for gifts basket fillers and call them reindeer poop :)
Hi, Jacki! I add coconut to just about everything. I love it, perhaps too much. But thanks for mentioning that it adds extra protein and fiber. I feel more justified in adding it now! I’ve never tried Kamut Flakes, but I’m sure they’d work. If you give it a shot, let me know how they turned out. And I love the reindeer poop idea for Christmas. My family would get a kick out of that. I think I’ll have to roll them in dark cocoa and a little shredded wheat to make them look more authentic. Hahahaha. Love it!
Oh, wow! I love these, and haven’t been able to locate the recipe for years. Thanks for posting this.
I used to love frozen, sliced bananas – with toothpicks in them. Such a sweet delight in the summer :)
Perfect! I’m so happy to provide the recipe again. I’ve seen frozen banana pops before, and to be honest – the ones dipped in dark chocolate call my name. There’s a food trailer in Austin, TX that does nothing but frozen bananas dipped in All The Things. They’re awesome.
Reblogged this on Beyond the Pear Tree.
I was and forever will be a fan of the junked up chocolate chip cookie – lots of pecans & coconut!
Oooo… I love the old-school Nestle Toll-House chocolate chip cookie recipe loaded with pecans and coconut. Sometimes I even leave out the chocolate chips just so I can add more pecans and coconut. Another family favorite from our childhood. Well played, Big Sis. Well played.
These look yummy. I wonder how they would be with Nutella instead of PB. And a 1/2 tsp of espresso powder. Hmmm.
The coconut ones are all yours!
As for childhood favorites: Not homemade would be frozen Charleston Chews and Hershey Bars. Homemade would be Buckeyes and PB Rice Krispie Treats and Chocolate Chip Poundcake. Mom loves to bakes, so we always had a cookie jar full of homemade cookies. Now I do the same, but I keep each type in a separate jar to keep the flavors from mingling.
Okay, Lisa. I’m going to be honest here. Nutella and espresso powder sounds AWESOME! I hope you try it, and if you do – let me know how they turned out. Another friend, Kirsten of Comfortably Domestic, has a son with tree nut allergies and they’re going to try them with SunButter. I love it when people adapt recipes to suit their families. I do it all the time.
Here’s what I’m wondering. How is it that I made it to adulthood without knowing about the frozen candybar thing? Seriously! I didn’t have my first frozen Snicker bar until I was married. That’s just not right. I love Buckeyes, but don’t make them very often. If you like those, you should try dipping peanut butter filled pretzels in chocolate. Those things are addictive! And we loved Rice Krispie treats as kids. And Jello Poke cake, too. I clearly need to raid your treat jars. Clearly.
Oats totally make this a health food! I loved Rice Krispie Treats as a kid, wait I still love them, does that make me a kid?
It’s called “young at heart” and there’s nothing wrong with that! My plan (at almost 50) is to never truly grow up. Speaking of Rice Krispie Treats – have you ever made them with Cocoa Krispies? Pretty darned tasty. I also made them with Fruity Pebbles last Easter for the grandkids. https://insidenanabreadshead.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/fruity-pebble-bunnies-for-easter/ Really sweet, but also fun and colorful. Sometimes it pays to be a kid at heart. :)
I have made them with Cocoa Krispies, and I added coconut and almonds, and of course more chocolate, kind of like a mounds bar
Oh, Kari…. I can tell you and I are going to become fast friends. Mounds Bar Krispies? Holy cow, I think I love you.