How to Make No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

No Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies are a great easy cookie recipe that's perfect anytime of year, especially during the summer when it's too hot to turn on the oven. They stir together in minutes using a handful of common pantry ingredients.

This recipe for no bake cookies was part of my childhood and may have been part of yours too. It's an old-fashioned recipe that has been around for decades, goes by many different names, and has lots of variations.

Some recipes endure and these no bake oatmeal chocolate cookies are a perfect example. It's amazing how just reading a recipe can transport you back to the past.

Many versions of this recipe call for 2 cups of sugar, which I find to be too sweet. This version uses 1 1/2 cups instead.

Although this recipe for no bake cookies is quick and easy, a few helpful hints are in order. First, be sure to follow the directions exactly, boiling the mixture for 1 1/2 minutes. If you don't boil the sugar mixture long enough the cookies may not get firm and if you boil it too long they are apt to be grainy and dry. And I've had success making these with both quick cooking and old-fashioned oats, so you are safe using whichever is in your cupboard.

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups rolled oats, uncooked

Directions

Clear an area on your counter and line it with waxed paper for dropping the cookie mixture on. Alternatively you can line a cookie sheet with waxed paper or a silicone mat.

In a medium heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the cocoa, sugar, butter, and milk. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to cook for 1 1/2 minutes while stirring constantly. Make sure the mixture is boiling vigorously (with bubbles all over the surface) before beginning to count the time.

Remove pan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until creamy and well blended. Add the oats and stir until thoroughly combined.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the waxed paper or lined cookie sheet. I like to use a small cookie scoop when making drop cookies - it speeds up the process and gives the cookies a uniform appearance.

Let cool until firm, about 1 hour. You can speed this up by transferring the cookies to the refrigerator.

Makes about 3 dozen No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies Variations:

• Use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth for added crunch.
• Stir in 1/2 cup shredded coconut with the oats.
• Stir in 1/2 cup chopped nuts with the oats.
• Stir in 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins with the oats.
• To make larger flatter cookies, drop by tablespoons and then flatten slightly with the back of the spoon or your damp fingers.
• For cookie bars, press the mixture into a well greased 8-inch square pan. When firm, cut into desired size and shape bars.

Martha McKinnon is an avid home cook and cooking instructor who loves sharing everything she has learned through her years in the kitchen with all who are interested. Her website, http://www.best-ever-cookie-collection.com is dedicated to publishing the best cookie recipes and her blog, http://www.simple-nourished-living.com explores easy recipes, tips, and hints. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martha_McKinnon

Find More : Chocolate Cookies , bake cookies , Oatmeal Cookies , flatter cookies , Bake Cookies , Butter Cookies

Does Your Business Need an Accountant?

The world's most successful companies have hundreds of accountants and chartered financial analysts working in their accounts departments. Isn't that reason enough why your company needs an accountant too, if not an entire accounts team / department? Well, the answer is no. There's more to it than just following the global business leaders. However, your company needs an accountant, and here's why.

Your business runs with the motive to earn money, and you need to keep the cash flowing in and out to keep your business alive. A lot of transactions happen on a daily basis in your company. An accountant helps keep track of them all, even if the transaction was worth just a cent. Your earnings, savings, expenditure and other monetary transactions, and their details are recorded by an accountant. Hence, in order to know where your business would stand after a year, it's advisable that you hire an accountant today.

While you might say that you're good at accounting and/or have computer software to help manage company accounts, the big question is - is that what you specialize in? If you're reading this page, then chances are high that you're not. You sure know to manage and promote your business and its products / services well, but it becomes very difficult to keep track of all the transactions besides handling other business activities.

An accountant is an expert in dealing with money and recording what a company does with it. With that said, the accountant, or a chartered accountant, sometimes called a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)comes with sufficient knowledge of managing your company's tax structure and liabilities. He will be in a better position to tell you which expenses can lead to more tax savings for the company and its employees; apart from advising you on whom to levy certain commercial taxes on, and in what circumstances.

Also, while making certain big purchases like commercial property or media time and space, an accountant will probably be in the best position to help you setup step-by-step procedures. You might want to pay fairly to your employees, but can your company afford it while it isn't making enough profits? Not sure? Talk to your company's accountant. He will help you fix a viable pay structure.

If your company hasn't hit the break even point in business yet, an accountant, in coordination with a Finance Manager, can assist you in formulating financial time-lines, which will help you forecast (to a great extent) what you would be doing after a year.

If you can't afford an accountant on a full time basis as an employee consider hiring an accounting firm. The firm can provide advice on an hourly basis. The per hour fee will be much higher than what you would pay an employee but you will only have to pay for a specified number of hours. The accounting firm can oversee your accounting system, answer questions, prepare your tax documents, and provide advice.

Interview the accountant or accounting firm so you're comfortable with their experience level and personality. Check references and talk to previous clients. Hiring an accountant or accounting firm is an important step for your business.

Corey Landis contributes articles on business and Internet marketing, and credit card and debt management

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corey_Landis

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Top Moving Truck Rental Companies

With every move comes packing, calling friends, and of course securing a moving truck rental. While there are plenty of moving truck rental companies out there, there are three that stand out from the crowd, not just because of their names, but also because of their reputations. Chances are you saw one or all of the trucks out while you were driving to work today. Yes when it comes to moving time, nothing says time to go like U-Haul, Budget, and Penske.

Each company offers many different options and sometimes choosing comes down to who is offering the best deal. The following is a little bit of information about each moving truck rental company and what they have to offer:

• U-Haul: Perhaps the best known of all the moving truck rental companies, U-Haul has been around forever and it is not uncommon to hear someone say, 'We have to rent a U-Haul,' even if they simply mean a moving truck. The company can accommodate your moving needs if you are doing an in town move or across the country move. They offer a wide variety of vehicles from a pick-up truck all the way up to a 26-foot moving truck. Depending on what your needs are you can rent a truck for a flat rate per day plus extra per mile driven for an in town move and they will give you a free quote on an out of state move, also known as a one way move. U-Haul sometimes offers special pricing when making your reservations online so it pays to check.

• Budget: Budget is not quite as well known as U-Haul but their presence in the moving truck rental business is big. They offer vehicles from the size of a cargo van to that of a big straight truck, and have a reputation for maintaining a high quality fleet. Budget also charges a flat per day fee and also extra per mile driven for in town moves. You can rent a Budget moving truck for a local move or a one-way move across the country. If you choose Budget as your moving truck rental company, be sure to reserve your truck online as you can use a Budget promotion code and receive an additional discount.

• Penske: These are the big yellow trucks that can be seen on a daily basis running the highways. Penske's vehicles range from smaller trucks to big rigs that can pull a 52-foot trailer. Like U-Haul they offer free quotes on one way moving as well as in town moving for a flat per day fee plus additional money per mile driven. Penske, like the others, also offers certain discounts when reserving online.

Each company has a toll free number that you can call if you have any specific questions that need to be addressed and each company suggests that you make your reservations well in advance so that you can make sure that the truck you want will be available on the date you need it. As far as choosing the right one for your move, make sure the truck you need is available and then go with the best deal.

Moving can be a big stress, but you can lighten that stress by making sure that you go with one of these top moving truck rental companies. With the piece of mind of knowing that your truck needs will be filled you can be left with worrying about which friends you can sucker into giving up a weekend to help you move your things.

Save on Budget truck rentals by using a Budget promotion code when reserving your moving truck. Find a self storage unit near you. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Kay

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