Craving a sweet treat that comes together in minutes? These Avalanche Cookies are your new best friend! Inspired by the famous Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, these delightful bites combine creamy peanut butter, melted white chocolate, crispy rice cereal, fluffy marshmallows, and miniature chocolate chips. They’re incredibly simple to make with no oven required, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth any time. Get ready for a delicious, effortless dessert experience!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Avalanche Cookies
You’ll quickly fall in love with these delightful no-bake cookies for so many wonderful reasons:
- Irresistible Taste and Texture: Each bite offers a delightful crunch from the cereal, a chew from the marshmallows, and a creamy, rich base. The combination of sweet and salty is truly addictive.
- Ultimate Convenience: Forget turning on the oven! These cookies are completely no-bake, meaning less cleanup and a faster path to dessert perfection. You can whip them up in under 20 minutes.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family movie night, a potluck, or a holiday gathering, these easy Avalanche Cookies are always a crowd-pleaser. They disappear quickly!
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Little helpers will love assisting with measuring and stirring. Making these cookies is a fun activity for the whole family, and they’re sure to enjoy eating them even more.
- Perfect Sweet-Salty Balance: The hint of salt from the peanut butter perfectly complements the sweetness of the white chocolate and marshmallows. This creates a harmonious flavor profile that keeps you coming back for another.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your own batch of incredible Avalanche Cookies:
- 16 ounces white almond bark
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups rice krispies cereal
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup miniature chocolate chips
Notes & Substitutions
White almond bark is ideal for its smooth melting and setting properties, but you can use white chocolate chips or bars if preferred. Ensure your creamy peanut butter is creamy, not natural-style, as the oils in natural peanut butter can make the mixture too greasy and prevent proper setting. Mini marshmallows are best here for even distribution and texture within your Avalanche Cookies. Feel free to swap miniature chocolate chips for milk, semi-sweet, or even dark chocolate varieties. You can also experiment with fun mix-ins like chopped pretzels, toffee bits, or sprinkles for extra crunch and flavor.
Equipment
You won’t need many tools for this simple recipe. Here’s what to gather:
- Large microwave-safe bowl
- Sturdy rubber spatula or spoon
- Parchment paper
- Cookie sheet or baking tray
- 2-tablespoon cookie scoop (optional, but recommended for uniform cookies)
How To Make Avalanche cookies
Making these delightful Avalanche Cookies is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these steps for perfect results every time!
- Prepare Chocolate Chips: First, place 1/2 cup of the miniature chocolate chips into your freezer. This step is crucial for ensuring they don’t melt into the warm mixture later, maintaining their distinct shape and texture in your finished cookies.
- Melt Almond Bark: Break the almond bark into small pieces and place them in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the bark in 45-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until it is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat it, which can cause it to seize.
- Stir in Peanut Butter: Remove the melted almond bark from the microwave. Add the creamy peanut butter to the bowl and stir until it is fully combined with the melted bark. The mixture should be smooth and uniform.
- Add Rice Cereal: Incorporate the rice krispies cereal into the peanut butter and almond bark mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until all the cereal is well coated. Now, set the mixture aside and let it cool until it’s just lukewarm to the touch. This step is vital to prevent the marshmallows from melting.
- Incorporate Marshmallows and Chips: Once the mixture has cooled to lukewarm, add the miniature marshmallows. Stir them in carefully to coat. Next, retrieve the frozen chocolate chips from your freezer and add them to the bowl, stirring just until they are evenly distributed throughout the Avalanche Cookies mixture.
- Form the Cookies: Line a cookie sheet or baking tray with parchment paper. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop or two spoons, drop mounds of the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper.
- Sprinkle Extra Chips: Quickly sprinkle the remaining miniature chocolate chips over the tops of the newly formed cookies. You’ll need to work fast here, as the mixture will begin to set relatively quickly, making it harder for the extra chips to stick.
- Allow to Set: Let the cookies cool completely and firm up. This typically takes about 30-60 minutes at room temperature, or you can place them in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to speed up the setting process. Once firm, serve and enjoy your delicious homemade Avalanche Cookies!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve perfect Avalanche Cookies every time with these helpful tips and quick fixes:
- Cool the Mixture Properly: The most important step is letting the melted peanut butter mixture cool to lukewarm before adding marshmallows. If it’s too hot, your marshmallows will melt, creating a sticky, uniform mess instead of distinct pieces.
- Freeze Chocolate Chips: Freezing half your chocolate chips prevents them from melting when stirred into the warm base. This ensures those beautiful, distinct chocolate morsels throughout your cookies.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop creates uniform cookies, ensuring they all set at the same rate and look professionally made. Consistency is key for presentation.
- Work Quickly: Once the mixture starts to cool, it begins to set. Have your parchment paper ready and work efficiently when scooping and adding extra toppings to avoid a crumbly mess.
- Troubleshoot Sticky Mixture: If your mixture is too sticky, it might be too warm. Pop it in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to firm up slightly before continuing. If it’s too hard, gently warm it for a few seconds in the microwave to make it pliable again.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
These delightful Avalanche Cookies are versatile, easy to store, and adaptable for endless flavor combinations.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these delightful treats as a standalone dessert, perfect for an afternoon snack, after-dinner treat, or as part of a dessert platter. They are fantastic for holiday cookie exchanges, birthday parties, or casual gatherings with friends. Pair them with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee for an extra comforting experience. Everyone loves these easy Avalanche Cookies!
Storage Instructions
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, you can also freeze them. Place the completely set cookies in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick treat.
Flavor Variations
Get creative with your Avalanche Cookies! Instead of white almond bark, try using peanut butter flavored bark or even butterscotch chips for a different base flavor. Experiment with various mix-ins like chopped nuts (peanuts, pecans, or walnuts), toffee bits, or crushed cookies for added crunch and flavor. For festive occasions, sprinkle on colorful sprinkles, a drizzle of contrasting melted chocolate, or a pinch of flaky sea salt for a gourmet touch.
Nutrition
These estimated nutritional values are provided per serving. Please remember that these are approximate and can vary based on specific brands and exact ingredient measurements used. These delicious cookies are certainly a treat to savor!
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 193 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g |
| Cholesterol | 1 mg |
| Sodium | 87 mg |
| Potassium | 73 mg |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Vitamin A | 230 IU |
| Vitamin C | 2.1 mg |
| Calcium | 16 mg |
| Iron | 1.3 mg |
| Serving Size | 1 serving |
FAQ
Got questions about making these amazing no-bake treats? We have answers!
What is avalanche bark?
Avalanche bark is a popular no-bake confection typically made from melted white chocolate or almond bark, peanut butter, crispy rice cereal, and marshmallows. Our Avalanche Cookies recipe transforms this into individual cookie-like portions.
What’s the difference between almond bark and white chocolate?
Almond bark is a confectionery coating made with vegetable fats, designed to melt smoothly and harden quickly without tempering. For more details on culinary science, discover the differences between almond bark and white chocolate. White chocolate contains cocoa butter, which provides a richer flavor but requires careful tempering for a glossy finish.
How long do these cookies last?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these delightful treats stay fresh for up to 3 days. Freezing extends their shelf life to several months.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely! Ensure your crispy rice cereal is certified gluten-free, and all other ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Most almond barks and peanut busters are suitable.
Are these good for gifting?
These make excellent homemade gifts! Their stability and delicious flavor hold up well, and they look beautiful bundled in festive bags or boxes.
Conclusion
You’ve just discovered the secret to making the most irresistible, easy Avalanche Cookies right in your own kitchen! With their perfect blend of sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy textures, these no-bake wonders are guaranteed to become a family favorite. They are incredibly simple, requiring minimal effort but delivering maximum flavor. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and bring some joy and confidence into your kitchen. We’d love to hear how your cookies turned out; share your experience and ratings below!
Easy No-Bake Avalanche Cookies
Equipment
- Large microwave-safe bowl
- Spoon
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 16 ounces white almond bark
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups rice krispies cereal
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup miniature chocolate chips divided
Instructions
Instructions
- Freeze 1/2 cup of the miniature chocolate chips.
- Break almond bark into pieces, place in a large microwave-safe bowl, and melt in the microwave in 45-second intervals until smooth.
- Stir peanut butter into the melted almond bark until completely combined.
- Fold in the rice krispies cereal, then let the mixture cool to lukewarm.
- Add the miniature marshmallows and the frozen chocolate chips, stirring until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Drop two-tablespoon portions of the mixture onto parchment paper. Quickly sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over each cookie before they harden.
- Allow cookies to cool completely until firm before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.