Haystack Cookies are such a fun easy no bake treat. Grab the kids to make this haystacks recipe, they will love it!
One of our favorite holiday traditions is our family baking day. Each December we take a Saturday and spend the day listening to Christmas music and making sweet treats. Then we box them up and drop them off with neighbors and friends.
I like to think that it teaches my kids a little about baking and a lot about doing kind things for others. But if nothing else, it creates happy family memories which fills my heart with joy.
Every year we make mint oreo bark, fudge, and peanut butter kiss cookies without fail. Usually there are a few more simple goodies thrown in there like these fantastic Haystack Cookies.
These Haystacks probably look familiar to you because they have been a holiday staple for decades. I add a few twists you might not be used to like butterscotch chips and marshmallows that make them extra special. But be sure to check out the variations section at the bottom of the post; there are so many great ways to make these.
Excellent and easy cookie to make! Entered them in the county fair and won first prize!
How to Make Haystacks Cookies
This is the perfect recipe to make with kids because it is so easy. This is a brief overview of how to make this easy recipe. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl mix together peanuts, marshmallows, and chow mien noodles.
- Melt the chocolate. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the butterscotch and chocolate chips together.
- Put it all together. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until it is all coated.
- Scoop out the mixture to make into haystacks. Pull out about 1/4 cup of the mixture at a time and put it on wax paper. Allow to cool and dry. Enjoy!
Chocolate Chips
This recipe for chocolate haystacks calls for milk chocolate chips, but you should use what you love the most. Semi sweet chocolate or dark chocolate chips would be absolutely delicious. You could also use white chocolate chips or only butterscotch chips to make butterscotch haystacks.
Variations on Haystack Cookies
There are about as many ways to make this haystack recipe as there are people making it.
- Change up to coating. I love the combination of butterscotch chips and chocolate chips, but you could go with all chocolate chips.
- Make it white chocolate. Swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips.
- Make them Christmas themed. Use white chocolate instead of milk or semi-sweet chocolate and then top with holiday sprinkles.
- Add in peanut butter flavor. You could also go with chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.
- Leave out the mini marshmallows or peanuts. If you don’t love marshmallows or peanuts aren’t your thing, you can leave them out. You could also replace one with more of the other.
- Switch up the nuts. Peanuts can also be replaced with different kinds of nuts, like pecan or walnut pieces.
- Add in dried fruit. In place of the peanuts or the marshmallows you could put in dried cranberries, dried cherries, or raisins.
Storing
These cookies will last in airtight container for up to 2 weeks. They can be stored at room temperature.
These haystack cookies do freeze well. Freeze them in a single layer for an hour. Then transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to three months.
As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.
Other No Bake Treats
If you are doing a cookie making day with your family these haystacks are a great choice because they are so fast. You could also make some of these other great quick no bake treats:
I am truly honored to be part of your holiday baking and if you make these or any of my other treats, leave me a comment to let me know!
Haystack Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted peanuts (142 grams)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows (43 grams)
- 2 cups chow mein noodles (112 grams)
- 1 cup butterscotch chips (224 grams)
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips (170 grams)
Instructions
- Line baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the peanuts, marshmallows, and chow mein noodles.1 cup roasted peanuts, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 2 cups chow mein noodles
- In a smaller, microwave safe mixing bowl, mix together the butterscotch chips and chocolate chips. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Stir very well. Microwave again for 30 seconds and stir really well. (Resist the urge to over microwave as it is easy to overheat the chocolate.) If necessary microwave for another 30 seconds, stirring until the chocolate is smooth.1 cup butterscotch chips, 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- Pour the melted chocolate over the dry ingredients and mix very well to combine.
- Scoop about 1/4 cup sized scoops onto the wax lined baking sheets. Allow to cool. Eat right away or store in an air tight container for up to two weeks.
Karen says
Easy and yummy
Cheryl says
My mom and I always made these together, and I still miss having here there with me when I make them now. We only used butterscotch, but I bet the combo of chocolate and butterscotch would be yummy!! And we never added marshmallows, I’ll have to try that. I love your recipes!
Oh, I’m with you. I would give just about anything to bake holiday treats with my mom. Much love to you, Cheryl.
Terry says
I’m like Cheryl. I made these with my mom, and my sister. My mom didn’t want peanuts, she wanted cashews for whatever reason. We also didn’t use marshmallows. We made a batch with butterscotch, and another with chocolate. Whenever I see these, I think of my mom. I think I will try your recipe. Adding marshmallows sounds delicious! I made the Cookie Butter Magic bars for a bake sale, along with a lot of other goodies. They were delicious, and sold quickly!
I’m so glad you liked those Terry! And if I’m being 100% honest, I will take my haystacks with just butterscotch and chow mien noodles ???? But I thought I’d get creative for the sake of the blog – and these are very good too.
ColleenB.-Tx. says
I used what I had on hand; Milk Chocolate Chips & Peanut butter chips;left out the nuts and used dried Cranberries in place of. Actually using cranberries was by mistake, cause hubby was to get pkg. of dried cherries instead but they still where delicious.
I’m glad you liked them! Such a fun recipe to play around with.
Annette says
You do not say if the chocolate chips are semi-sweet or milk chocolate?
You can use either, I prefer milk chocolate.
Phyllis Pearch says
I make this but I leave out the peanuts and I use butterscotch chips and peanut butter chips. I also leave out the marshmallows. These are my daughter’s favorate.
Ann says
Excellent and easy cookie to make! Entered them in the county fair and won first prize!
I’m so glad that these were a hit for you!
Gloria Hanaway says
Is there a way to make this candy without a microwave? I know they didn’t have microwaves in the 1960s. Thank you.
Yup. Melt everything on your stovetop. I hope that helps!
Kris says
I was so happy to see this recipe. My mom used to make these at Christmastime back in the 60’s and they were my childhood favorite.
I’m so glad to hear that!