This Haystacks recipe are an easy no-bake treat you can make year round. Made with just a few ingredients this treat ready can be ready in no time.
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What are Haystacks, candy or cookie?
Haystacks are so named because they look like a raggedy pile of hay once they have set. They are made with just a few ingredients and are super easy.
Usually, haystacks are made with butterscotch chips, and they are perfectly fine to use. We don’t love butterscotch (though I do have a cat named Butterscotch), so I chose to use peanut butter chips.
While you could use chocolate chips but by using butterscotch or peanut butter the custers look more like a haystack.
Some call these haystack cookies but I think of them more like a candy. While there are hundreds of no-bake cookies this just doesn’t fit the bill for me. Tell me your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear what you think.
Ingredients
I often make holiday haystacks year round just swapping out the red and green M&Ms for the multi-colored. The mini version works better as the regular size M&Ms seem to overpower the candy.
- Chow Mein Noodles
- Shortening
- Peanut Butter Chips
- Mini M&Ms
- Sprinkles – I used non-pariels
During the holidays these peanut butter haystacks are part of my edible gifts. I’ll add them to cookie trays that include some favorite cookies and candies such as my cherry pecan thumbprint cookies, Christmas sprinkle cookies, coffee almond fudge, and Christmas chocolate chip cookies.
Tips for Making Haystacks
- When melting the peanut butter chips melt them slowly and stir between times if melting in the microwave. Start with 15 second intervals. This is not a process to be rushed.
- Don’t worry about breaking some of the chow mein noodles when combining the peanut butter chips with them and the candies.
- When you drop the chow mein noodles, use a tablespoon and spatula to move it on the pan. This keeps your fingers from getting messy.
- To speed the setting time of the candy, you can pop the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Once set you can store or wrap for gift giving.
- Store these haystack cookies, in a covered container, for up to 4 days. You can keep them in the refrigerator but it’s not necessary.
- Use the multi-colored mini M&Ms at other times of the year. Like the photo below.
More Recipes that Use Peanut Butter
If you live with a group of peanut butter lovers like I do, you can never have enough recipes that use it. Here are some of my family’s favorites.
- Peanut Butter Glaze
- Glazed Peanut Butter Pound Cake
- Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars
- Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Crust
Welcome to #CandyFudgeFavorites Day hosted by Jennifer from Take Two Tapas! It’s the holidays and we are celebrating the holiday tradition of making candy and fudge!
Join me and my fellow bloggers as we share our favorite holiday candy and fudge recipes today. I know you will see some old favorites and I hope you find some new ones!
- Rocky Road Fudge from Jennifer at Take Two Tapas
- Crockpot Peanut Clusters from Jennifer at Leftovers Then Breakfast
- Chocolate Orange Fudge from Michaela at An Affair From The Heart
- Champagne Truffles from Kathleen at The Fresh Cooky
- Candied Bacon from Kathy from Lemon Blossoms
- Slow Cooker Fudge from Ashley at Cheese Curd In Paradise
- 3-Ingredient Chocolate Almond Fudge from Julie at Hostess at Heart
- Rocky Road Clusters from Kathryn at Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
- Sponge Candy from Inger at Art of Natural Living
- Bourbon Bacon Buckeyes from Terri at Our Good Life
- Honeycomb Candy from Jennifer at Jen Around the World
- Haystacks from Ellen at Family Around the Table
- Peppermint Pretzels from Rebecca at Devour Dinner
- Chocolate Almond Cranberry Clusters from Nicole at Daily Dish Recipes
- Turtle Fudge from Heather at Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Ube Coconut Truffles from Sue at Palatable Pastime
- Christmas Gum Drop Nougat Candy from Amy at Savory Moments
- Coconut Balls from Sheila at Life Love and Good Food
- Milk Chocolate Fudge from Radha at Magical Ingredients
Recipe - Haystacks
Haystacks are a fun treat to make any time of year.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces Thin Chow Mein Noodles, 1 can
- ½ cup mini red and green M&Ms
- 1 bag (10 ounces) peanut butter chips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening, such as Crisco
- Christmas Non-Pariels
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper or a silicone baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl combine the chow mein noodles and M&Ms. Reserve some M&Ms to put on top of haystacks.
- In a microwave safe bowl combine the peanut butter chips with the shortening. MIcrowave according to package directions. About 1-2 minutes on high stirring until smooth.
- Pour peanut butter chip mixture over chow mein noodle mixture and stir until everything is coated.
- Working quickly, drop by tablespoonful onto prepared baking sheet, a few at a time. Top with a couple of M&Ms and sprinkle with some non-pariels to make them festive.
- Allow to set for at least an hour before storing.
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Radha
Thursday 6th of January 2022
Sounds amazing to me! We are peanut lovers and this is an amazing one for us.
Kathleen
Sunday 2nd of January 2022
Haystacks are a favorite in our house, love all of your tips!!
Kathleen Pope
Friday 3rd of December 2021
These are a favorite of my boys and I haven't made them in years!!! Need to change that!
Sheila Thigpen
Thursday 2nd of December 2021
What a fun and festive holiday candy to make! Sweet and crunchy is the best in my book!