This Haystack Cookie Recipe is a classic holiday cookie that's so easy to make with just 4 ingredients! They're a family favorite at our house and are also no-bake, making it fun to assemble for both kids and adults alike. If you love butterscotch, peanut butter, and chocolate this is the cookie for you!
These Haystack Cookies are an annual Christmas cookie recipe at our house that's asked for every single year by our family and friends. The flavors of chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch coat crunchy chow mein noodles for the perfect sweet and salty bite.
With just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time, these cookies can be made in under an hour if you chill them in the fridge to set. They're the perfect family and kid-friendly cookie recipe and are no-bake, so forget heating up the house with the oven!
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If you love a good cookie recipe, we have plenty! Try our Whipped Shortbread, White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, and Ritz Cracker Cookies.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Like This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Haystack cookies are simple to prepare, making them a favorite for quick baking sessions.
- Versatile Ingredients: They can be made with various add-ins like nuts, peanut butter, or different types of chocolate, allowing for personalization.
- Nostalgia: Many people associate haystack cookies with childhood memories, making them comforting and familiar.
- No Baking Required: Some recipes don’t require baking, making them a convenient treat for those who prefer no-heat recipes.
- Fun to Make: The process of mixing and shaping the cookies can be enjoyable, especially when involving kids or friends.
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below.
- Semisweet or milk chocolate chips: If you like a more bitter chocolate, use semisweet and if you like a sweeter chocolate use milk.
- Butterscotch chips: Adds the caramel-like note to each bite.
- Creamy peanut butter: Compliments the chocolate and butterscotch so well.
- Chow mein noodles (or crushed cornflakes): The crunchy base of these cookies. Cornflakes work as a great substitute as well.
- Festive Sprinkles: Adds a nice colorful and holiday decoration to the cookies
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make this Haystack Cookie Recipe
- Line a large sheet pan or countertop with wax or parchment paper.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Once melted, remove the bowl from the microwave. Stir in the chow mein noodles until all the noodles are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Using a large cookie scoop or 2 spoons, drop ¼-cup spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan or countertop.
- If adding sprinkles, add immediately so that they adhere to the coating. Rest 4 hours or until firm. Place in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Expert Tips
- Microwave in 30-second intervals. This is essential, be sure to stop and stir in between the intervals until melted thoroughly and totally smooth.
- Do not over heat the chips. This will cause the chocolate and butterscotch to seize and not melt smoothly.
- Add the sprinkles quickly. Work fast when sprinkling them over the top of the haystack cookies. They cool and set quickly!
- Swap the chow mein noodles for cornflakes. You can also use cornflakes for the crunchy base rather than chow main noodles if preferred.
- Cool in the fridge or freezer to set faster. You can place the cookies into the fridge or freezer for 10 to 15 minutes until fully set if you need to speed up the cooling process.
Storage
Store the cooled and set cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
We don't recommend freezing the cookies as it compromises the texture and can cause the chocolate to become wet and broken.
FAQs
Chow mein noodles, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips are what our recipe uses! You can also substitute the chow mein noodles for cornflakes as well.
Be sure you let the haystacks fully cool and set so they aren't sticky or moist. They should be dry and crunchy with each bite.
Just use additional chocolate or you could use white chocolate too if you prefer that!
Feel free to stir in peanuts or other nuts as well!
More Christmas Treat Recipes
Haystack Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips
- 11 ounce bag butterscotch chips
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 12 ounces chow mein noodles (or crushed cornflakes)
- Festive Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Line a large sheet pan or countertop with wax or parchment paper.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Once melted, remove the bowl from the microwave. Stir in the chow mein noodles until all the noodles are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Using a large cookie scoop or 2 spoons, drop ¼-cup spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan or countertop. If adding sprinkles, add immediately so that they adhere to the coating. Rest 4 hours or until firm. Place in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- Microwave in 30-second intervals. This is essential, be sure to stop and stir in between the intervals until melted thoroughly and totally smooth.
- Do not over heat the chips. This will cause the chocolate and butterscotch to seize and not melt smoothly.
- Add the sprinkles quickly. Work fast when sprinkling them over the top of the haystack cookies. They cool and set quickly!
- Swap the chow mein noodles for cornflakes. You can also use cornflakes for the crunchy case rather than chow main noodles if preferred.
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