January 10, 2024
Review RecipeButterscotch Haystacks
These classic butterscotch haystacks are the perfect blend of crunchy chow mein noodles with salty peanuts, melted peanut butter and butterscotch chips for the perfect no-bake treats!
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Butterscotch haystacks are a classic Christmas cookie your family will absolutely love. A holiday staple, this easy haystack cookie is made with crispy chow mein noodles, sweet butterscotch chips, creamy peanut butter, and salty peanuts.
Butterscotch Haystacks Ingredients
Butterscotch haystacks are an old-fashioned favorite that will take you back to your childhood. These delightful treats are easy and fun to make, with just a few simple ingredients.
For our hackstack recipe, you’ll need:
- 7 cups chow mein noodles
- 1½ cups butterscotch chips
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup salted peanuts
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
NOODLES: You could substitute pretzels for the chow mein noodles in this simple recipe.
NUTS: I used creamy peanut butter, but you could use crunchy peanut butter as well for an added crunch. You can also make haystacks with cashews and cashew butter.
BUTTER: You could make these chow mein noodle cookies with almonds and almond butter.
BUTTERSCOTCH CHIPS: You could also use peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or milk chocolate chips in place of the butterscotch chips in this easy dessert.
PRO TIP:
Instead of using multiple pans to let these haystacks harden (because this recipe makes lots!), clear counter space and tape a long sheet of parchment onto the counter until they dry.
How To Make This Butterscotch Haystack Recipe
With minimal prep time, these no bake treats can be whipped up in no time. Combining crunchy chow mein noodles and creamy butterscotch chips, these haystacks are the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Best of all, they’re sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Here’s how you make our recipe for butterscotch haystacks:
STEP ONE: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butterscotch chips and the peanut butter together.
PRO TIP:
Keep a close eye on the mixture and keep it low and keep stirring so that you don’t scorch it.
STEP TWO: Place the peanuts and chow mein noodles in a large bowl. Pour the butterscotch chips and creamy peanut butter mixture over the peanuts and noodles and toss them together until all coated.
PRO TIP:
If you want more of a wet look to the haystacks, crunch down the chow mein noodles into smaller pieces.
STEP THREE: Drop the mixture by tablespoons onto the wax paper making little piles and allow to cool.
PRO TIP:
You’ll want to use wax paper, parchment paper, or silicone mats for this recipe. I suggest laying it out on a cookie sheet to make it easier to move your batches of butterscotch haystack cookies around while they’re setting if you need to.
How To Serve Haystacks
Because they’re no fuss, no bake recipe, butterscotch haystacks are the perfect cookie for any occasion –from a holiday party to an after-school snack.
I love gifting these butterscotch haystacks at Christmas. To do so, put them into a food-safe bag/box and tie them with ribbon or in a holiday-themed cookie tin.
These are always a huge hit at a holiday cookie exchange as well. You could also add them to a cookie platter along with Christmas pinwheels and Grinch cookies.
MORE BUTTERSCOTCH RECIPES
More of my favorite no-bake treats include our chocolate no bake cookies and our Oreo pie.
Storing Hackstack Cookies
ON THE COUNTER: Once the haystacks have cooled, you can put them in a bag or airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature.
IN THE FRIDGE/FREEZER: Once these tasty treats are cooled, you can pop them into a freezer-safe bag or sealed container for up to two months.
To serve, just thaw in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. They’re yummy chilled as well!
No-bake desserts are always popular, and butterscotch haystacks are no exception.
Not only are these cookies delicious, but they’re also so easy to make. You skip the baking for these cookies, so they can be made from scratch in only minutes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do these haystacks need to be refrigerated?
This old-fashioned treat can easily be stored in an airtight container on the counter. If you want to keep them for longer, they can be kept in the fridge or in the freezer for up to two months.
Can I melt the butterscotch and peanut butter in the microwave?
If you would prefer to melt the mixture in the microwave, using a microwave-safe bowl, heat on 50% power in 30-second increments until the mixture is smooth, stirring in between.
Can I use pretzels instead of chow mein noodles?
Pretzels will give these butterscotch haystacks the same satisfying crunch that the noodles do, so you can certainly use them instead.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Cinnamon Roll Cookies
- M&M Pretzel Hugs
- Reindeer Pretzels
- Ritz Cracker Toffee
- Reese’s Cookies
- Butterscotch Marshmallow Bars
- Christmas Wreath Cookies
- Reindeer Food
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Christmas Fudge
- Christmas Cake Roll Recipe
- Butterscotch Cool Whip Pie
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Microwave Peanut Brittle
- Butterscotch Cake
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Butterscotch Sauce
- campfire banana
- Blueberry Bread
Butterscotch Haystacks
These classic butterscotch haystacks are the perfect blend of crunchy chow mein noodles with salty peanuts, melted peanut butter and butterscotch chips for the perfect no-bake treats!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 36
Ingredients
- 7 cups chow mein noodles
- 1½ cups butterscotch chips
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup salted peanuts
Instructions
- Place the peanuts and the chow mein noodles in a large bowl.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the chips and the peanut butter together.
- Pour the butterscotch chips and peanut butter mixture over the peanuts and noodles and toss them together until they are all coated.
- Drop by tablespoons onto wax paper making little piles and allow to cool.
Notes
- If you want more of a wet look to the haystacks, crunch down the chow mein noodles into smaller pieces
- Instead of using multiple pans to let these haystacks harden (because this recipe makes lots!), clear counter space and tape a long sheet of parchment onto the counter until they dry.
- You’ll want to use wax paper, parchment paper, or silicone mats for this recipe. I suggest laying it out on a cookie sheet to make it easier to move your batches of butterscotch haystack cookies around while they’re setting if you need to.
Nutrition
Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 2mg
Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb
Even More Christmas Cookies
- Secret Kiss Cookies
- Butter Pecan Crunch
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies
- Peanut Butter Dream Bars
- White Chocolate Haystacks
Comments
Toni Thomason says
Yum! These are so cute and so delicious.
Cathy says
You could use peanut butter chips also or chocolate chips In place of the butterscotch chips
Sarah says
My grandma always made these for the holidays – such a simple, yummy treat!
LLL! says
My husband found the rest of the ingredients to be able to make these and I am so excited. Our 8 year old is thrilled just after a taste of the butterscotch chip. I have no doubt they will be delicious!!!! So thrilled to make these thank you for sharing the recipe!!!😋🤤😁♥️
Margaret says
Do the Chow Mein noodles come packaged or boxed? something i have never used before.
Are they sold in a specific section of the grocery store.
Are they usually sold for other recipe’s. Excuse my not knowing.
Thank you.
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Margaret – they come in jars or bags, they will be in the world foods aisle. Enjoy!