Spider Cookies

Spider cookies, macroons, haystacks, boiled cookies, no-bake cookies, chocolate oat drops, mud cookies - whatever you call them, they all refer to the same type of easy, delicious chocolate no-bake cookie. Of course there are variations out there, peanut butter, butterscotch, using chow mein noodles, adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips, but all operate under the same principal - boil some sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa, then stir in oats and/or coconut. My version uses rolled oats as well as some cooked oatmeal, which provides some more moisture and texture and is a good way to use up leftover oatmeal. It can be hot or cold, but should be on the thicker side. Drop onto cookie sheets and chill until firm (unless you can't wait and choose to eat the mixture hot from the pot like I do).

Spider Cookies
1/2 cup butter or hard margarine
2 cups granulated (white) sugar
1/4 cup milk or cream
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup thick cooked oatmeal
2 cups shredded coconut
3 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, waxed paper, or aluminum foil.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Stir in the sugar, milk, cocoa, and oatmeal, and bring just to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the coconut, oats, and vanilla. Quickly drop by spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Chill until firm.