This haystacks recipe is an easy no-bake cookie made with butterscotch chips, peanut butter and chow mein noodles! This vintage treat is a favorite with sweet and salty taste.
If you love old-fashioned candy recipes, try fantasy fudge and rocky road candy, too!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Butterscotch Haystacks
- Quick, tasty treat: With only 3 ingredients and no oven required for the best haystack cookies, they are simple to whip up anytime for holiday cookie trays!
- Sweet and salty: This haystacks recipe is irresistible with a crunchy texture plus it’s easy to customize the candy by adding peanuts or using chocolate chips!
Haystack Cookie Recipe Ingredients
Haystacks candy is easy enough for beginner bakers to help with in the kitchen!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Chow Mein noodles: This type of fried noodle is sold in a can in the Asian section of a grocery store. La Choy is a mainstream brand. Do not use lo mein noodles.
- Butterscotch chips: I prefer using butterscotch chips for butterscotch haystacks so these actually do resemble haystacks!
- Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter adds a salty flavor that balances the sweet butterscotch hay stacks.
How to Make Haystacks
In a medium sized, microwave-safe bowl, melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. You can also use a double boiler if preferred.
Add chow mein noodles and stir until completely coated.
Drop mixture using heaping teaspoons onto parchment paper or wax paper lined baking sheets to form 2-2.5 inch piles. Cool haystack cookie recipe until butterscotch is hardened.
Tips and Variations
- Type of chips: Haystacks can also be made with semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate or white chocolate chips. A combination can also be used.
- Mix-ins: A handful of dry roasted peanuts or red skinned peanuts adds some additional crunch. Marshmallows can be folded in with the chow mein noodles.
- Peanut free: For peanut butter allergies, you can make a 2 ingredient haystack cookie! It will still be amazing.
- Store: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. You can place them in the refrigerator but they do tend to get hard when stored chilled.
Need more no bake desserts? Other classics include scotcheroos and no bake cookies.
More No Bake Dessert Recipes
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Haystacks Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 2 cups chow mein noodles
Instructions
- Combine: In a medium sized, microwave safe bowl, add 1 cup butterscotch chips and 1/2 cup peanut butter.
- Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute, then stir. Continue microwaving the mixture in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each, until it is smooth.
- Stir: Add 2 cups chow mein noodles and stir until completely coated.
- Drop: Drop the mixture onto parchment paper to form 2-2.5 inch piles. Let them cool until the butterscotch is fully hardened.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
These reminded me of when I was a little kid! I haven’t had them in forever and loved that my kids loved them too
So glad everyone enjoyed them, classic recipes are always a win!