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Haystack Cookies

5 from 6 votes
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posted: 12/11/19

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Haystack Cookies are such a fun easy no bake treat. Grab the kids to make this haystack recipe, they will love it!

close up of a haystack cookie with peanuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips blurred in the background

Earlier this month, I shared with you my Magic Bar Recipe and talked about Quinn doing a presentation on the family tradition of baking for people.

The night before her presentation – as we were making Mint Oreo Bark together – she told me she was so nervous. Together we said a little prayer to my mom asking my mom to be there in the room with her as she did it. (I’ve never been more proud of myself for not sobbing in front of my kid.)

For me, it was another example of how cooking together brings people together. Food is magical, I swear. So, I’m suggesting you make these Haystack Cookies with your kids and experience the magic.

overhead view of bowl of peanuts, chow mien noodles, and marshmallows

How to Make Haystacks Cookies

This is the perfect recipe to make with kids because it is so easy.

  1. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: peanuts, marshmallows, and chow mien noodles.
  2. Get a separate bowl to melt the butterscotch and chocolate chips together.
  3. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until it is all coated.
  4. Pull out about 1/4 cup of the mixture at a time and put it on wax paper.
  5. Allow to cool and dry. Enjoy!
overhead view of a glass measuring cup with chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in it
The mixture of melted butterscotch and chocolate is being poured over the peanuts, marshmallows, and the chow mien noodles mixture.

Variations on Haystack Cookies

There are about as many ways to make this haystack recipe as there are people making it.

I love the combination of butterscotch chips and chocolate chips, but you could go with all chocolate chips.

You could also go with chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.

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.

Peanuts can also be replaced with different kinds of nuts.

How Long do These Cookies Last

These cookies will last in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing Haystack Recipe

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.

white tray that is rimmed in metal with a lot of butterscotch haystacks on it

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:

If you make these haystacks or any of my other treats let me know!

I am truly honored to be part of your holiday baking and would love to see what you are up to on Instagram. Tag me at @lisasimplejoy

a close up picture of a chocolate haystack cookie that has been cut in half to show chow mien noodles, peanuts, and marshmallows
close up of a haystack cookie with peanuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips blurred in the background
5 from 6 votes

Haystack Cookies

Serves: 24 haystacks
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Haystack Cookies are such a fun easy no bake treat. Grab the kids to make this haystack recipe, they will love it!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup roasted peanuts
  • 1 cup marshmallows
  • 2 cups chow mein noodles
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Line baking sheets with wax paper and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the peanuts, marshmallows, and 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.
  • 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.
Serving: 1haystack Calories: 169kcal (8%) Carbohydrates: 18g (6%) Protein: 3g (6%) Fat: 9g (14%) Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Sodium: 52mg (2%) Potassium: 9mg Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 13g (14%) Calcium: 1mg Iron: 6mg (33%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
close up of a haystack cookie with peanuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips blurred in the background

did you make this

Haystack Cookies

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

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  1. Karen says

    5 stars
    Easy and yummy

  2. Cheryl says

    5 stars
    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!

    • Lisa Longley says

      Oh, I’m with you. I would give just about anything to bake holiday treats with my mom. Much love to you, Cheryl.

  3. 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!

    • Lisa Longley says

      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.

  4. ColleenB.-Tx. says

    5 stars
    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.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m glad you liked them! Such a fun recipe to play around with.

  5. Annette says

    You do not say if the chocolate chips are semi-sweet or milk chocolate?

    • Lisa Longley says

      You can use either, I prefer milk chocolate.

  6. 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.

  7. Ann says

    5 stars
    Excellent and easy cookie to make! Entered them in the county fair and won first prize!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad that these were a hit for you!

  8. 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.

    • Lisa Longley says

      Yup. Melt everything on your stovetop. I hope that helps!

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