The Cookie Exchange: 4 Dozen Gluten-Free, Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
My mother has decided to begin an annual tradition of exchanging cookies. The idea is that everyone brings four dozen cookies and we all eat lunch, sample the cookies and play games to spend time with friends and kindle that Christmas spirit. The challenge is that we are a motley crew and among us we have meatatarians, country girls, gluten-free gals and some weirdo vegans (ie, mom, and yes that is a tongue-in-cheek reference). Everyone is short on time and funds during the holidays and some of us (ahem) are just challenged in the baking arena, so coming up with an easy, low-cost DIY gluten-free, vegan cookie recipe was tough. Luckily I found a good recipe base online and with just a few simple modifications I present to you:
The No-Bake Gluten-Free, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter “Cookie”
*The term cookie is used loosely here because there isn’t any actual cooking involved 
This recipe makes 48 cookies.
Ingredients:
2 Cups Sugar in the Raw
1 Cup RICE DREAM Rice Drink, Enriched Original, Organic
1 Cup Hershey’s Cocoa, Special Dark
5 Cups Bob’s Red Mill Organic Quick Cooking Rolled Oats
1 Cup Smart Balance Light Butter
1 Cup Natural, No-stir peanut butter
2 tsp. Vanilla
Directions:
Place oats, peanut butter and vanilla into a large bowl. Next, combine sugar, milk, cocoa powder and butter substitute in a large sauce pan and bring to a boil. Stir frequently and allow to boil for about one minute, or until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined, thick and bubbly. Pour the chocolate mixture over the oats mixture and stir well. Really work to combine the mixture quickly because it will thicken and begin to solidify as it cools. Form about a tablespoon of the mixture at a time in your hands like little burger patties and then place onto waxed or parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Once you have formed all 48, place into the fridge to cool. You can dust with powdered sugar once cooled to make them look a bit more festive, as in their natural state my daughter and I decided that they look a bit like reindeer poo 
Enjoy!
