Haystack Cookies
Haystack cookies take only 10 minutes to make! This is a favorite no bake Christmas treat made with chow mein noodles. Make either butterscotch haystacks or chocolate haystacks!
Haystack candy is one of those Christmas cookies that keeps evolving. And depending on where you grew up, you’re probably used to a certain type of haystack.
There are so many variations to haystack cookies which means there isn’t a “right” way to make them. We’re sharing two baseline haystack recipes today. It’s a great starting place for making haystacks exactly how you like them!
One recipe is a butterscotch and peanut butter base and the other is a butterscotch and chocolate chip base.
What Are Haystack Cookies
Haystack Cookies are a no bake cookie that’s made using chow mein noodles, a variety of chocolate chips (butterscotch, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips), peanut butter and sometimes an add in like peanuts, marshmallows, or other nuts. Lots of people call these chow mein cookies!
Ingredients for No Bake Haystacks
- butterscotch chips
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- creamy peanut butter
- chow mein noodles
Total Time Required
- 3 minutes to melt the chocolate
- 2 minutes to mix in the chow mein noodles
- 5 minutes to scoop haystacks onto baking sheet
- 1-2 hours to harden
Add-ins for Haystack Cookies
Try mini marshmallows, peanuts, pecans, walnuts or pretzels.
Feel free to add 1/2 cup of your favorite add-in to our haystack candy recipe.
How To Melt Chocolate in the Microwave
- Use a microwave safe bowl – I like to use a medium sized glass bowl.
- Microwave on 50% power to ensure that the chocolate doesn’t scorch.
- Stir the chocolate after each minute to ensure the chocolate doesn’t scorch.
- Do not over microwave. It’s best to stop microwaving when some of the chocolate chips still have their shape. Stirring the mixture together will help melt the remaining chips.
More Christmas Treats
Haystack Cookies
Ingredients
Butterscotch Peanut Butter Haystacks
- 11 oz butterscotch chips
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 12 oz chow mein noodles
Chocolate Butterscotch Haystacks
- 11 oz butterscotch chips
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 12 oz chow mein noodles
Instructions
Butterscotch Peanut Butter Haystacks
- Line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats, parchment paper or wax paper.
- Place the butterscotch chips and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute on 50% power. Stir. Repeat, microwave for 1 minute on 50%, stir. If not completely melted, microwave for 30-45 seconds on 50% power. Stir until smooth. Gradually add the noodles to the chocolate, mixing well to coat them.
- Use a cookie scoop (I used a large #20 cookie scoop also 3.5”) to quickly scoop mounds of noodles onto the silicone mat. Allow the haystacks to harden completely, about 1-2 hours before removing from the tray. Store in an airtight container.
Chocolate Butterscotch Haystacks
- Line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats, parchment paper or wax paper.
- Place the butterscotch chips and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute on 50% power. Stir. Repeat, microwave for 1 minute on 50%, stir. If not completely melted, microwave for 30-45 seconds on 50% power. Stir until smooth. Gradually add the noodles to the chocolate, mixing well to coat them.
- Use a cookie scoop (I used a large #20 cookie scoop also 3.5”) to quickly scoop mounds of noodles onto the silicone mat. Allow the haystacks to harden completely, about 1-2 hours before removing from the tray. Store in an airtight container.
You have some wonderful recipes. I can’t wait to make the turtle bark.
Thank you for sharing all the great recipes.
So easy and fun to make! I love the dimension they add to my Christmas cookie tins to give to friends and family! Highly recommend!