These no-bake butterscotch haystacks are one of our family’s favorite christmas cookie recipes. Get the recipe for these and many more delicious holiday cookies.
Welcome to our virtual holiday cookie exchange. Thirty foodie bloggers are sharing our favorite Christmas cookie recipes all this week, and I’m bringing my family-favorite no-bake butterscotch haystacks to the party.
They’re a family holiday tradition, just like my grandma’s icebox fruitcake.
The good thing about a virtual cookie party is that you get to enjoy all the yummy goodness and temptation without the calories!
Warning: do not view these recipes on an empty stomach. We are not responsible for any snack attacks that result!
I’m sharing my easy-to-make, no-bake Butterscotch Haystacks.
[clickToTweet tweet=”You have to try these no-bake #butterscotch haystack #cookies. They’re so yummy!” quote=”You have to try these no-bake #butterscotch haystack #cookies. They’re so yummy!”]
I’m pretty sure this recipe originated in the 1960s or 1970s, the heyday of chicken chow mein from a can.
Because Chinese chow mein noodles are one of the three ingredients you need to make them.
Yep, you read that right. These tasty morsels require only three ingredients! And no turning on the oven.
Heck, you don’t even have to use the stove to melt the butterscotch chips. Just zap those babies in the microwave. That’s my kind of holiday baking!
- 10 ounces Chinese chow mein noodles
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 16 ounces butterscotch chips
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Line baking sheets with parchment or waxed paper.
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Combine the chow mein noodles and dry roasted peanuts in a large bowl.
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Melt the butterscotch chips in the microwave or over a double boiler.
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Pour the melted butterscotch over the noodles and peanuts. Use a spatula or your hands to stir the mixture, making sure the noodles and peanuts are completely coated in butterscotch. (If the mixture seems too dry, add more melted butterscotch.)
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Drop by spoonful onto wax paper or parchment and allow to cool.
When you make these haystack cookies, you need to work quickly. You’ll find that the melted butterscotch cools and hardens pretty quickly. That’s a good thing because you can eat these cookies just minutes after you make them. But it also means you can’t dawdle over the process.
When I hosted my extended family on my dad’s side for Christmas I served Grandma’s butterscotch haystacks. They were a big hit and a source of many shared memories. The memories and stories make the cookies even sweeter.
I’m glad I got to share this easy, family recipe as part of the virtual cookie exchange. Please visit the following blogs to see the other Christmas cookie recipes.
Click on any link below it to see your favorite cookies!
Everyday Home | Atta Girl Says
Southern Color | Deja Vue Designs
Shabby Art Boutique | All Things Heart and Home
Town and Country Living | Worthing Court
Lilacs and Longhorns | Inspiration for Moms
Vintage News Junkie | Marty’s Musings
Domestically Speaking | My Soulful Home
A Delightsome Life | Cottage at the Crossroads
Pennywise | Major Hoff Takes a Wife
Country Design Style | House on the Way
Fresh Idea Studio | Confesions of a Plate Addict
Stone Gable | Create and Babble
So Much Better with Age | Cupcakes and Crinoline
Do you have any Christmas cookie recipes you make year after year?
Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says
So yummy! It’s been wonderful to be a part of this cookie exchange with you! Merry Christmas!
Leslie
Kelly says
Amy! Love butterscotch and LOVE no bake! Perfection!
Thank you…
Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says
Certainly never seen a recipe for these in Australia…. can’t wait to try these and surpise my friends. Thank you.
Atta Girl Amy says
Let me know how they go over with your friends. This is definitely a mainstream American recipe! 🙂
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
Love easy recipes! These would be great for my girls to make!
Christina says
I didn’t heed your advice and read this on an empty stomach lol- They look so yummy (and easy) Thanks for sharing, I had never seen these before- now on to check out your icebox cake 🙂
Cheers
Christina
Atta Girl Amy says
Sorry about that! I’ll confess that I had two of these for breakfast this morning! Protein, dairy, grain — by my count, that’s a good breakfast. Just don’t tell my kid.
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Amy, I have heard of these and have had….and loved! Had no idea what was in them! So excited to make these! I know my family will love them. Thanks for sharing!! ~Christy
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says
I was just saying the other day that I wanted to make some of these. I’ll use your recipe!!
Atta Girl Amy says
They’re always a hit! And they don’t last long. I’m loving how so many of the Cookie Exchange recipes are throwbacks. Our mothers’ and grandmothers’ recipes are often the best.
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
I’ve gotta make these. Every time I see this recipe my mouth waters. Thanks!!!! YUMMY!
Atta Girl Amy says
They are tasty. (I just had a few for breakfast!)
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Amy, I haven’t made these in a long time, but I remember that they are so good. I’ll have to make up a batch of these soon. Pinning and sharing!
Atta Girl Amy says
Much better than that chicken chow mein in a can. My grandmother used to make that too, and I was not a fan. But these cookies are a keeper. If only they’d last longer, but they always seem to get eaten.
Kathy says
These are perfect! I remember Mom making these – beautifully photographed –
Kathy
Atta Girl Amy says
Thanks, Kathy. I was dealing with low light when I was shooting, but I made the best of it.
Kathy says
You did a wonderful job – this time of the year, with weather conditions too – getting the light right is a challenge!
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
O I could handle those all day long! Pinning for this year’s annual family BakeOff for sure!
Cheers to you and yours this Christmas Amy!
Atta Girl Amy says
Thanks, Therese. Merry Christmas to you, as well.
Your family bakeoff sounds like a blast. What a fun event. I’ll have to check out your post about it.
Marty Walden says
I love your pic by the tree! I may totally have to copy that. Assuming I actually get the cookies made! Which actually aren’t really cookies, but they are amazing! Can’t wait to see your home in person!
Atta Girl Amy says
I can’t wait to have you visit! And don’t think I came up with that staging idea on my own. Stole if from something I pinned, of course.
Jeanette says
Thank you for posting these haystacks! I had made these, or something similar year ago, but forgot the ingredients. Pinning and will be making for sure! ~Jeanette
Atta Girl Amy says
Glad I could help you rediscover a favorite recipe. As you know, these are delicious, and I personally think the more butterscotch the better. Some people use marshmallows and peanut butter in theirs, but I like the butterscotch version best.
Elizabeth @ Southern Color says
Stopping by from the Cookie Exchange! This is my type of recipe ~ only 3 ingredients! I’m pinning this to try later 🙂
Atta Girl Amy says
I’d love to hear what you think of them. Your cookie exchange party was amazing, BTW. I’m definitely pinning and copying some of your ideas.