I have made the basic recipe for what I know as “Frogs” for as long as I can remember. Many people refer to these cookies as Chocolate Macaroons, but to me, they will always be “Frogs”. How or why they came to have that name escapes me; they are not green, greenish or frog shaped.
What these cookies are, is delicious mounds of chocolate that can be made in a flash using ingredients most of us always have in our kitchen.
Nothing exotic or unusual in this cookie, just oatmeal, coconut, white sugar, milk, butter, vanilla and cocoa powder.
These are a snap to make. Heat these ingredients in a pan until the mixture comes to a boil. Be sure to stir constantly…chocolate and sugar both burn VERY easily.
If you have little clumps of undissolved cocoa in your pan, press them against the side of the pan to break them up and stir into mixture. Alternately, take a whisk, like I needed to, and whisk ingredients to be certain all the cocoa has dissolved.
{An even better idea, (which I forgot to do) is to mix the sugar and cocoa together before adding other ingredients, stirring until no large clumps of cocoa remain. Then add butter and milk, put the pot on the heat and continue as directed in the recipe.}
You need to work fairly fast from now on. No answering a phone call or text, these set up quickly. Have everything you need ready to go so once you stir in oatmeal and coconut you can get right to work.
Stir in the dry ingredients, making sure every little bit of the coconut and oatmeal has been coated with the chocolate mixture.
Working quickly, spoon mixture onto parchment/waxed paper covered sheet pan, table or tray using two teaspoons or a small scoop.
These Chocolate Macaroons are always a hit at any occasion. Trust me when I tell you, these simple to make, no bake morsels of chocolate, oatmeal and coconut will quickly become your “go-to” cookie and a family favourite!
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 7 Tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 3 cups oatmeal (NOT instant) (I happened to use a "large flake" oatmeal here because that is what I had in my cupboard}
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- In a large saucepan, mix together sugar, milk, butter and cocoa powder. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until all ingredients are combined.
- Continue stirring and allow mixture to come to a rolling boil for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat. Working quickly, add vanilla, oatmeal and coconut.
- Stir well to thoroughly combine all ingredients, making sure all the coconut and oatmeal has been coated with the chocolate mixture.
- Continue to work quickly, using two teaspoons, drop a nice mound of chocolate heaven onto waxed paper lined trays.
- When cookies are set, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
Have you ever heard of “frogs”? {In reference to a cookie, not the amphibian…lol}
Have you ever eaten or made this type of cookie?
Pat Bacon says
Like you, this is my go-to” recipe that is quick easy and loved by kids and adults equally.
Monica Parlee says
They are quite addictive Pat, aren’t they!
V Hill says
My Mom made these. She called them frogs as well so now I do. I don’t make then with the Coconut because Mom didn’t – my brother is allergic.
I saw this picture and immediately thought if my Mom; she died 9 years ago February 27. This post made me smile.
Monica Parlee says
Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Life goes on, but it is not the same without our moms. My mom died 11 years ago. In some ways it seems like yesterday, but in others, it seems like forever since I talked with her.
I’m glad these cookies brought a smile to your face and reminded you of happy times with your mom.
Monica
Leslie says
These cookies have too been a long time favorite from childhood, only I have a slightly different version, no coconut, instead peanut butter 1/2 cup, and the cook in the cafeteria in grade school called them “Dreamies” so good, so addictive, I even found these for sale at Walmart. My son loves em.
Monica Parlee says
Yum…the addition of peanut butter sounds so good! Will try your version Leslie, next time I make these. And…I think the cook in the cafeteria is spot on because these are “Dreamies”!
edye says
These look amazing! Pinned! :)
Monica Parlee says
Thanks Edge, they are delicious and sooooo…..Easy!
Sean says
Wow! I’m schocked to learn “frogs” is no longer an exclusive name known only to my family. My mother would make them and we would eat them still warm off the wax paper. I lost the recipe some time ago and thought I would look on Pinterest to find something similar. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, and I can’t wait to make them again.
Monica Parlee says
I’m so happy you found the recipe Sean! When you were explaining how you would eat the cookies, still warm off the waxed paper, it brought back memories for me too. We also did this when we were little but until you said that, I had forgotten all about it.
Jana says
How many does the recipe make?
Monica Parlee says
Depending on how big you make them, I would say 30-40.
Jillian Newcombe says
Ahhh…a true Maritime Christmas classic! I grew up calling these Frogs and am teaching my Calgary-born children the same! The only difference is I will be using Gluten Free oats as I am Celiac. Thanks for this little bit of home.
Monica Parlee says
Awwhhh…you’re so very welcome, Jillian, we make these each Christmas too!
Sama Albach says
I love these SOOOOOOOO yummy and addictive they are amazing!!!!!!!!!!! YOUR SOOO AWESOME AND TALENTED!!!!!
Monica Parlee says
Thank you so much, Sama! I agree these are dey addictive…lol!
SHIRLEY says
These are tasty and so easy to make Frogs is a good name for them
Monica Parlee says
Thank you so much,Shirley, I agree so tasty and very easy to make!
l p says
they bring back such good, warm memories. thanks
Monica Parlee says
I’m so glad these cookies have nice memories for you ❤️
Wendy says
I have made these macaroons for years an not only at Christmas. I never knew you could keep them on table to set, I have always put them in frig on wax paper ( this having to empty shelves for short time.) I also make the white macaroons that have to be baked of course an eagle brand milk is used as an ingredient. Has anyone ever tryed freezing these?
Monica Parlee says
Aren’t these just about the quickest and one of the tastiest cookies ever, Wendy! I have made the white macaroons, but it has been ages. I don’t recall ever freezing them, but that’s a great question, hopefully someone will let us know.
debbie debly says
they definately can be frozen just make sure when you pack them for freezer you parchment paper between layers of frogs or they will stick together when thawing
Monica Parlee says
Thanks so much, Debbie, that’s good to know!
G Francoeur says
This is exactly the same recipe that I learn in home economic, in high school when I was a teenager. I love these, use to make them all the time then. All my family in the Maritimes makes them . Its funny how a recipe brings good memories when I was young. I’m glad that I find the recipe, I will do them with my grand daughter, she is 13 and loves it when I show her how to cook & bake. Probably will do them next week. I’m 70, but when I learn to do this recipe we didn’t call them Frogs then, I can remember the name lost my recipe. I know when I go home in the Maritimes that’s what they call them. I’m glad that I find it, thank you .
Monica Parlee says
Awwhhhh, thank you so much, so happy that you found the recipe and it has great memories for you. A perfect recipe for your granddaughter to make! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Monica
Lisa says
A maritimer as well,these are a favorite and have been since I was first learning to make sweet treats.We call them frogs and haystacks.Your recipe is the same as mine that I have used since a preteen.Was so happy to hear them called frogs.I live in Ontario now and they call them macaroons, which is fine of course. This batch is for some friends at work whom I know will be wanting more frogs.
Monica Parlee says
I love how easy these are to make and how good are, Lisa…and the name is quite intriguing too…lol!! Your friends at work will be wanting these every week!
barbara mierau says
I just finished making these for our seniors’ high tea tomorrow. I think I will eat one warm off the parchment paper they are so good and easy to make thank you
Monica Parlee says
hahahaha…Barbara, I can’t lie…I too have eaten one or two of these warm off the parchment! Hope the seniors at your tea enjoy them!
Wendy Brownell says
Childhood favorite for me and my husband!!! Seen this, pulled out my mum’s recipe and pretty much exact… thanks for the reminder, I’ve had to make them biweekly since I brought them up to the hubby LOL
Monica Parlee says
Hahahahaha…they are quite addictive!
Mary says
I haven’t heard anyone call these cookies frogs since I was a child growing up in the Maritimes. Great recipe!
Monica Parlee says
I’m a Maritimer too, but didn’t realize calling these cookies “frogs” was a Maritime expression. Thanks so much, Mary!
Judy says
Can you sub out the milk for orange juice?
Monica Parlee says
I have never tried that, Judy, but I don’t think it would work.
Nancy Cabral says
Does anyone know the reason we should use regular oats as opposed to quick oats? What would happen if I used quick oats? Would these get mushy?
Monica Parlee says
Nancy, as long as they are not the little packets of instant oatmeal it should be fine. You need to cook instant oats, so it should work.
Lynda says
Awesome recipe!
Monica Parlee says
Thank you so much, Linda, these are definitely one of my favourites!
Kenneth White says
Growing up I had a older senior lady feed me lunch during the elementary school week in my birth province of Manitoba. She would make these “Frogs”for me and I loved them, unfortunately I could not remember their name. So later on in life I asked my better half if she ever heard of these chocolate macaroons type of cookie. As my wife is from the Maritimes she of course said that they were frogs lol and made me some! Now years later here I am a senior myself and just literally finished making a batch from your recipe. I cant wait to try one!! Much thanks.
Ken
Monica Parlee says
Awwhhh…that’s such a nice story, Kenneth! Isn’t it amazing how food can trigger memories. Enjoy your “frogs”…now I’m going to need to make a batch because your message now has me craving them!
Helen Lake says
Hi
Do these freeze well? Or how long do they stay fresh in the fridge for ? I am looking at making a large batch for a family get together
Thank you
Helen
Monica Parlee says
Yes, Helen, they do, I often freeze them.
Joanne says
My mom made these a lot. She called them hay stacks. Miss my mom …she has been gone for 22 years now. I miss her everyday.
Monica Parlee says
I’m so sorry for your loss, Joanne! My mom is gone too, so I understand how you are feeling.
Vivian Guest says
I’m starting a cottage food business and I cannot have recipes with milk can I make them without milk product is there anything I can use to substitute
Monica Parlee says
The milk is an integral part of the recipe, Vivian. Maybe coconut milk, but I have never tried it with these cookies. Best of luck with your business!
Vanessa says
I grew up calling these “frogs” too – my mom, French/Acadian, grew up calling them “des singes” (translates to monkeys, which I find even stranger, haha). Had a hankering for them today and it’s tough to find this original (in my eyes) recipe. A lot seem to call for chocolate chips or other things, but this was familiar. I recreated them with non-dairy ingredients, needed a bit more dry ingredients, but otherwise perfect. Thanks!
Monica Parlee says
That’s so interesting that your mom called these “des singes” and I’m so happy to hear you liked them!