Chow mein noodles are dominating the cookie scene this year, all dressed up for the holidays in an irresistible, salty-sweet cookie package that goes by the name of Haystack Cookies!
Whether you choose to make Chocolate or Butterscotch Haystack Cookies, you can count on this crunchy, peanut buttery treat for a delicious, quick-fix holiday treat that requires only 12 minutes in the kitchen!
This no-bake cookie is perfect for "cooking" with the kids and is an especially festive holiday treat for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, and more!
HAYSTACK COOKIE INGREDIENTS
- Butterscotch or Chocolate Chips - The first thing you'll need for making Haystack Cookies is melted baking chips. You can choose between butterscotch or semi-sweet chocolate chips, or go above and beyond...and make both!
- Peanut Butter - Regardless of which type of Haystack Cookie you should choose to make, this is not the time for healthy peanut butter. Oh no. Like most peanut butter desserts, only the old-fashioned, full-sugar, creamy peanut butter for this recipe.
- Chow Mein Noodles - You'll find chow mein noodles in the international section of your grocery store with the Asian products. We like the La Choy brand for these cookies.
- Miniature Marshmallows - Marshmallows add a fun variation of texture to Haystack Cookies but feel free to get creative and sub in one of the other options from below.
YOU CAN ALSO ADD...
There is plenty of wiggle room for creativity when it comes to making either chocolate and butterscotch Haystack Cookies -- 1 cup of wiggle room to be exact. Rather than using the 1 cup of miniature marshmallows, feel free to sub in 1 cup of any of the following items:
- Dry-Roasted Peanuts
- Pretzels Sticks
- Shredded Coconut
You may get really creative and choose to work with a combination of items! This is perfectly fine, just make sure whatever your combo is, the quantities equal a grand total of 1 cup.
HOW TO MAKE HAYSTACK COOKIES
- Prep Your Workspace - Before you begin making Haystack Cookies, you'll want to have your work surface prepared with a large sheet of wax paper or parchment paper on the counter. If you'd like to save on clean-up time (or time in general -- see below), consider placing said paper in a large sheet, rimmed sheet pan. The sheet pan will catch the sprinkles from flying (especially those bouncy nonpareil sprinkles), and make clean up a breeze!
- Melt the Chips - Add the butterscotch or chocolate chips and peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl (more on this below) or a measuring pitcher and microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. After the minute is up, stir the mixture and continue microwaving at 30-second intervals. Then add the salt and stir.
- Add Chow Mein and Marshmallows - Once your chips and peanut butter are nice and melty, add the chow mein noodles and miniature marshmallows. Take care not to crush the chow mein noodles, and gently fold them into the mixture -- taking care to scoop from the bottom, up, and over -- until completely coated.
- Scoop and Sprinkle - Use two spoons to scoop and shape generous spoonfuls of the mixture (about 2 tablespoons worth), and set on the wax paper. Sprinkle each Haystack Cookie with a pinch of nonpareils, and allow them to set either on the counter or in the refrigerator.
MAKE IT A ONE-BOWL RECIPE!
If you have a microwave-safe bowl with a 4-cup capacity, this will be a one-bowl recipe! If not, just use your favorite microwave-safe cooking vessel to melt the chips and peanut butter, then add the mixture to a medium-sized mixing bowl and continue on with the recipe.
HOW LONG WILL THEY TAKE TO SET?
Depending on the humidity of your area and temperature in your home, Haystack Cookies could take anywhere from 3-6 hours to set. In fact, they can be left out overnight to set, without compromising the texture or quality of your cookies.
However, if you'd like to speed along the process, consider refrigerating your cookies to set. To do this, rather than placing wax paper directly on the counter, you'll need to place it on a baking sheet so it can be easily transferred to the refrigerator.
HOW TO STORE HAYSTACK COOKIES
Once your Haystack Cookies are ready, there's no need to refrigerate them. In fact, these cookies are really more candy than they are a cookie. Simply store them in a tightly sealed, airtight container at room temperature. You may find they start to lose their freshness after 5-6 days, but no worries if you’ve got goodies leftover beyond this point — you can freeze them!
CAN HAYSTACK COOKIES BE FROZEN?
If you’d like to make Haystack Cookies well in advance, make a batch, and place them in a freezer-safe, snug airtight container, separated by layers of wax paper. It also doesn’t hurt to place wax paper on the bottom of your storage container. Then, store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
TIPS FOR MAKING HAYSTACK COOKIES
- Depending on the brand of butterscotch chips you use, you may find they don't completely melt. Don't panic! You can move on to the next step, even if your butterscotch-peanut butter mixture isn't perfectly smooth.
- Take the time to fold in the Chow Mein Noodles rather than hastily stirring. This way your cookies will keep a defined haystack shape. The best tool for this job is a silicone spatula.
- Keep in mind, these cookies need hours to set at room temperature. If you need to speed along the process, make plans to refrigerate them before you begin scooping as they'll need to be transported from the counter to the fridge!
- The best tool for scooping Haystack Cookies is a spoon...actually, two spoons. In particular one large spoon and one small spoon from the silverware drawer!
- Remember, these cookies are just as much candy as they are cookie and a little bit goes a long way. Resist the urge to make giant stacks, and rather scoop out smaller portions. Two tablespoons is the perfect amount for these cookies.
- Once your Haystack Cookies have made it on to the wax paper, take an extra moment to mold them into a rounded shape using your two spoons.
- We tried a few different types of sprinkles to garnish these Haystack cookies, but nothing stood out more or looked quite as pretty as non-pareil sprinkles.
- Be sure you add the sprinkles immediately after you've finished scooping your cookies. Although it takes the cookies hours to completely set, the surface will dry quickly.
5 MORE NO-BAKE DESSERTS YOU’LL LOVE
- Cornflake Cookies are a salty-sweet vintage treat that lies somewhere between cookie and candy. These delicious little cereal clusters are coated in a decadent peanut buttery sugar mixture!
- Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are a classic no-bake dessert perfect for those who love a good salty-sweet combo. The base of the cookie comes together in less than 10 minutes on the stovetop and yields a praline-like texture.
- Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats are super chocolatey and over-the-top marshmallowy with a perfectly stretchy, ooey-gooey, bakery-style bite!
- Reece’s No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie is a gorgeous, mile-high pie with a creamy peanut butter filling and decadent bites of chopped Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups.
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are another no-bake peanut butter dessert you’ll love! Loaded with Rice Krispies, melty marshmallow, and big peanut butter flavor.
Butterscotch Haystack Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 (5 ounce) container chow mein noodles (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Have ready a large sheet of wax paper set across your workspace.
- Add the butterscotch chips and peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl or measuring pitcher and microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and continue to microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until the chips are melted. Add the salt and stir until smooth.
- Add the chow mein noodles and miniature marshmallows and fold them into the peanut butter-butterscotch mixture until completely coated.
- Spoon out generous heaping spoonfuls of the mixture (about 2 tablespoons worth), and set on the wax paper. Sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of nonpareils and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or refrigerate until firm (see note below).
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Chocolate Haystack Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 (5 ounce) container chow mein noodles (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Have ready a large sheet of wax paper set across your workspace.
- Add the chocolate chips and peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl or measuring pitcher and microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and continue to microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until the chips are melted. Add the salt and stir until smooth.
- Add the chow mein noodles and miniature marshmallows and fold them into the chocolate-peanut butter mixture until completely coated.
- Spoon out generous heaping spoonfuls of the mixture (about 2 tablespoons worth), and set on the wax paper. Sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of nonpareils.
- Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or refrigerate until firm (see note below).
Notes
Nutrition
9 MORE CHRISTMAS COOKIES YOU'LL LOVE!
- Holiday Ginger Cookies
- Iced Oatmeal Cookies
- Christmas Wreath Cookies
- Swedish Christmas Cookies
- Santa's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chai Spiced Gingerbread Stars
- Dark Chocolate Cherry Cordial Cookies
- Raspberry Thumbprints
Irina says
Oh, I have never heard about these cookies before... Sounds interesting and fun to make with kids. No-baking option is a plus:)
Elizabeth says
This is such a super recipe to make with the kids, and it can be decorated in all sorts of different themes too! My kids LOVE them!
Emily says
Whaaat? Omg, my mind is blown I've never heard or seen cookings made with chow mein noodles before, it's genius, can't wait to try them!
Dannii says
Oh these look amazing! My daughter would love to help me make them too.
Adrianne says
What a fun and colourful recipe, I love it!! It also makes me want to eat cookies right now. Love how original and unique this is and I can't wait to try it, peanut butter IS life!
Jessica Formicola says
These cookies are incredible! My whole family loves them and we make them often! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Emily Liao says
These cookies are so delicious! And I love how easy they are to make.
Anita says
This is a nice and fun recipe to spend time with kids, and we can change up the decoration to suit any season. 🙂
Jeannette says
You had me at butterscotch. These look absolutely DIVINE and I know they'll be a hit! Thanks for sharing!
Priya Lakshminarayan says
You have totally gotten me hooked onto these!! They look super appetizing.