Pinterest graphic of haystacks recipe says: super easy haystacks cookies, simplejoy.com - 1

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

close up of a haystack cookie with peanuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips blurred in the background - 2

One of our favorite holiday traditions is our family baking day. Each December we take a Saturday and spend the day listening to Christmas music and making sweet treats. Then we box them up and drop them off with neighbors and friends.

I like to think that it teaches my kids a little about baking and a lot about doing kind things for others. But if nothing else, it creates happy family memories which fills my heart with joy.

Every year we make mint oreo bark , fudge , and peanut butter kiss cookies without fail. Usually there are a few more simple goodies thrown in there like these fantastic Haystack Cookies.

These Haystacks probably look familiar to you because they have been a holiday staple for decades. I add a few twists you might not be used to like butterscotch chips and marshmallows that make them extra special. But be sure to check out the variations section at the bottom of the post; there are so many great ways to make these.

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

overhead view of bowl of peanuts, chow mien noodles, and marshmallows - 3

How to Make Haystacks Cookies

This is the perfect recipe to make with kids because it is so easy. This is a brief overview of how to make this easy recipe. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl mix together peanuts, marshmallows, and chow mien noodles.
  2. Melt the chocolate. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the butterscotch and chocolate chips together.
  3. Put it all together. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until it is all coated.
  4. Scoop out the mixture to make into haystacks. Pull out about 1/4 cup of the mixture at a time and put it on wax paper. Allow to cool and dry. Enjoy!
The mixture of melted butterscotch and chocolate is being poured over the peanuts, marshmallows, and the chow mien noodles mixture.  - 4

Chocolate Chips

This recipe for chocolate haystacks calls for milk chocolate chips, but you should use what you love the most. Semi sweet chocolate or dark chocolate chips would be absolutely delicious. You could also use white chocolate chips or only butterscotch chips to make butterscotch haystacks.

hand spooning out mixture of haystacks recipe - 5

Variations on Haystack Cookies

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

  • Change up to coating. I love the combination of butterscotch chips and chocolate chips, but you could go with all chocolate chips.
  • Make it white chocolate. Swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips.
  • Make them Christmas themed. Use white chocolate instead of milk or semi-sweet chocolate and then top with holiday sprinkles.
  • Add in peanut butter flavor. You could also go with chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.
  • Leave out the mini marshmallows or peanuts. 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.
  • Switch up the nuts. Peanuts can also be replaced with different kinds of nuts, like pecan or walnut pieces.
  • Add in dried fruit. In place of the peanuts or the marshmallows you could put in dried cranberries, dried cherries, or raisins.
white tray that is rimmed in metal with a lot of butterscotch haystacks on it - 6

Storing

These cookies will last in airtight container for up to 2 weeks. They can be stored at room temperature.

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.

As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.

a close up picture of a chocolate haystack cookie that has been cut in half to show chow mien noodles, peanuts, and marshmallows - 7

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:

  • Mint Chocolate Truffles
  • S’mores Chocolate Bark
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

I am truly honored to be part of your holiday baking and if you make these or any of my other treats, leave me a comment to let me know!

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup roasted peanuts (142 grams)
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows (43 grams)
  • 2 cups chow mein noodles (112 grams)
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips (224 grams)
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips (170 grams)

Instructions

  • Line baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl , mix together the peanuts, marshmallows, and chow mein noodles. 1 cup roasted peanuts, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 2 cups 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. 1 cup butterscotch chips, 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 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.

Recipe Video

close up of a haystack cookie with peanuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips blurred in the background - 8

did you make this

Haystack Cookies

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  • Easy Fudge Recipe

  • S’mores Bark

  • Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

  • Easy S’mores Dip

Pinterest graphic of haystacks recipe says: super easy haystacks cookies, simplejoy.com - 9

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

close up of a haystack cookie with peanuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips blurred in the background - 10

One of our favorite holiday traditions is our family baking day. Each December we take a Saturday and spend the day listening to Christmas music and making sweet treats. Then we box them up and drop them off with neighbors and friends.

I like to think that it teaches my kids a little about baking and a lot about doing kind things for others. But if nothing else, it creates happy family memories which fills my heart with joy.

Every year we make mint oreo bark , fudge , and peanut butter kiss cookies without fail. Usually there are a few more simple goodies thrown in there like these fantastic Haystack Cookies.

These Haystacks probably look familiar to you because they have been a holiday staple for decades. I add a few twists you might not be used to like butterscotch chips and marshmallows that make them extra special. But be sure to check out the variations section at the bottom of the post; there are so many great ways to make these.

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

overhead view of bowl of peanuts, chow mien noodles, and marshmallows - 11

How to Make Haystacks Cookies

This is the perfect recipe to make with kids because it is so easy. This is a brief overview of how to make this easy recipe. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl mix together peanuts, marshmallows, and chow mien noodles.
  2. Melt the chocolate. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the butterscotch and chocolate chips together.
  3. Put it all together. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until it is all coated.
  4. Scoop out the mixture to make into haystacks. Pull out about 1/4 cup of the mixture at a time and put it on wax paper. Allow to cool and dry. Enjoy!
The mixture of melted butterscotch and chocolate is being poured over the peanuts, marshmallows, and the chow mien noodles mixture.  - 12

Chocolate Chips

This recipe for chocolate haystacks calls for milk chocolate chips, but you should use what you love the most. Semi sweet chocolate or dark chocolate chips would be absolutely delicious. You could also use white chocolate chips or only butterscotch chips to make butterscotch haystacks.

hand spooning out mixture of haystacks recipe - 13

Variations on Haystack Cookies

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

  • Change up to coating. I love the combination of butterscotch chips and chocolate chips, but you could go with all chocolate chips.
  • Make it white chocolate. Swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips.
  • Make them Christmas themed. Use white chocolate instead of milk or semi-sweet chocolate and then top with holiday sprinkles.
  • Add in peanut butter flavor. You could also go with chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.
  • Leave out the mini marshmallows or peanuts. 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.
  • Switch up the nuts. Peanuts can also be replaced with different kinds of nuts, like pecan or walnut pieces.
  • Add in dried fruit. In place of the peanuts or the marshmallows you could put in dried cranberries, dried cherries, or raisins.
white tray that is rimmed in metal with a lot of butterscotch haystacks on it - 14

Storing

These cookies will last in airtight container for up to 2 weeks. They can be stored at room temperature.

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.

As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.

a close up picture of a chocolate haystack cookie that has been cut in half to show chow mien noodles, peanuts, and marshmallows - 15

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:

  • Mint Chocolate Truffles
  • S’mores Chocolate Bark
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

I am truly honored to be part of your holiday baking and if you make these or any of my other treats, leave me a comment to let me know!

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  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Newsletter

Ingredients

  • 1 cup roasted peanuts (142 grams)
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows (43 grams)
  • 2 cups chow mein noodles (112 grams)
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips (224 grams)
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips (170 grams)

Instructions

  • Line baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl , mix together the peanuts, marshmallows, and chow mein noodles. 1 cup roasted peanuts, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 2 cups 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. 1 cup butterscotch chips, 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 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.

Recipe Video

close up of a haystack cookie with peanuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips blurred in the background - 16

did you make this

Haystack Cookies

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  • Easy Fudge Recipe

  • S’mores Bark

  • Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

  • Easy S’mores Dip

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close up of a haystack cookie with peanuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips blurred in the background - 17

Haystack Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup roasted peanuts (142 grams)
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows (43 grams)
  • 2 cups chow mein noodles (112 grams)
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips (224 grams)
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips (170 grams)

Instructions

  • Line baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl , mix together the peanuts, marshmallows, and chow mein noodles. 1 cup roasted peanuts, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 2 cups 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. 1 cup butterscotch chips, 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 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.

Video

Nutrition

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