Only 4 ingredients and a few minutes prep, these Haystack Cookies take you back to childhood. Filled with butterscotch and peanut butter, cookies don’t get easier than this!
Love no bake treats? Also try these No Bake Cookies, these Fruity Pebble Rice Crispy Treats, or these Indoor S’mores.
There have been 3 family cookbooks printed on my mom’s side of the family. I love these cookbooks. Whenever I ask my mom for a recipe, she usually answers “it’s in the family cookbook!” I have gone to these cookbooks for inspiration, and also for family favorites.
The family cookbook that these Haystack Cookies came from was printed in 1983, and distributed at the 4th annual family reunion. I was only 5 years old at the time this cookbook was passed out, so needless to say, I didn’t get my own copy. But one year, as a Christmas gift, my mom reprinted this cookbook for each of us kids, and I have been grateful ever since.
The charm in these recipes comes from the way they were written. Instead of exact directions or ingredients, you get things like “1 can tomatoes” or “1 bag of butterscotch chips.” If this was from a regular cookbook, I would get frustrated and ask well, what size of can? What kind of tomatoes? But I love that these recipes are most likely ones that my mom and her parents and siblings have been making for years, so they just “know” how to make them. These kinds of recipes make me want to be the kind of cook where can just feel the recipes and know what they need.
This recipe for Haystack Cookies is one that is probably in family cookbooks everywhere. I’ve seen a haystacks recipe without the marshmallows, with peanuts, or all kinds of different add-ins. And maybe that’s what I love so much about them – every family has their own adaptation! All I know is that these are good, and I can see myself making them on a regular basis!
Ingredients
- Butterscotch Chips: Make sure to use fresh butterscotch chips for the best results.
- Peanut Butter: You want to use a processed peanut butter, like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter won’t work as well for these cookies.
- Marshmallows: The marshmallows do not get melted, so make sure you use mini marshmallows.
- Chow Mein Noodles: These are cooked, crunchy noodles. They are pretty easy to find on the international aisle of the grocery store.
How to Make Haystack Cookies
- Combine the butterscotch chips and the peanut butter in the bowl of a double boiler, or in a large microwave safe bowl. Cook them together, (use 50% power if using the microwave), until the butterscotch chips are melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Stir the marshmallows and the noodles into the mixture.
- Scoop the mixture out onto a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper.
- Allow the cookies to cool and set up.
Haystack Cookies Video
These cookies are so easy to make! You can see how to make them in the video below.
Tips and Tricks
Do not overcook your butterscotch chips, or the cookies will get crumbly.
These can get quite messy when you scoop them out, so it is easiest to use a spring loaded cookie scoop. You can also use 2 spoons, but the cookie scoop will be easier.
Make sure you use parchment paper or wax paper to scoop the cookies out onto. Otherwise they will stick.
You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature as long as it’s not too hot. If it is so hot that they might melt, you would want to store them in the refrigerator.
More No Bake Treats
No Bake Cheesecake
Buckeye Recipe
Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip
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Haystack Cookies
Ingredients
- 11 oz bag butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 3 cups chow mein noodles
Instructions
- Melt the butterscotch chips and the peanut butter together in a large bowl, either over a double boiler or in the microwave on 50% power, until melted together and smooth.
- Stir in the marshmallows and the chow mein noodles.
- Drop by spoonful, or use a cookie scoop, onto a sheet of waxed paper.
- Allow to sit until hardened.
Peabody says
You have done a great job of going through cookbooks…it was definitely a success for you.
Laurie says
I just found your blog, thanks to the mediocre cook. What a great project! And how special to have your family cookbook. My mother made a cookbook for me and my brothers a few years ago and I adore it. I started my blog to force me to write down recipes for a family cookbook for my kids.
I’ll be back!
kimberleyblue says
i like the sound of these cookies – sweet and crunchy!
i also love this year-long challenge you set for yourself. it’s something i should consider doing myself!
Jenny says
Cute cookies and what a fun challenge! Great post!
Mrs. L says
As someone who started her own blog a couple of years ago so that I would start using the myriad of cookbooks I own, I so understand! And somewhere in my pile of boxes that holds most of my cookbook collection, I too have some family recipes I’m waiting to find to try. You inspire me to keep on going! (though my resolve to not by new cookbooks until I had cooked from at least four a month from my collection went by the wayside, but I’ve come to terms with that 🙂
Paula says
I am a cookbook addict. There. I said it publicly (well, sort of publicly). I LOVED this post. How wonderful that your mom printed a copy of that cookbook for you! I like how you challenged yourself, too, to utilize the cookbooks you have. And, I got goosebumps when I saw your recipe because, I kid you not, I was just thinking about these cookies this morning and was thinking I’d have to search for the recipe! I love it when things like this work out for me! 🙂
Ryley says
I am that way with ward cookbooks or neighborhood cookbooks too! My grandma is an amazing cook and her neighborhood in california did a cookbook. It’s my favorite one since so many of the recipes are her’s! Same goes with my mother-in-law and her ward cookbook! I was so glad she bought me a copy since she had submitted so many recipes and now I have everything my husband loves to eat in one little book! Plus it’s “real” food. Not fancy food! Love it…
You should get around to making a family website where all of the recipes are listed and you can all add others as you remember them! That would be cool… Right??
Gretchen Noelle says
What an accomplishment to have gone thru a cookbook a month for a year! Great job!
Prudy says
So true about those charming cookbooks, especially the RS ones from church. One small hershey bar for example.
On another note, we’ve made these before with chocolate and they are crunchy-yum!
kat says
Good for you making it through all 12 months. I have a cookbook of my Grandmother & Grandfather's recipes. Then when we got married a friend compiled recipes from family members on both side for us. I recently made one for my sister for her birthday…family cookbooks are the best
JennDZ - The Leftover Queen says
This is so cool! My mom and I have been talking about doing a cookbook of family recipes for years! Time to get cracking I say!
I love these cookies – so cute!
Maria says
I have had cookies like these before and they were delightful! Nice work on your challenge!!
Smileygem says
This sounds like an odd combination – but I assume it works for you to have posted it.
RecipeGirl says
This cookbook is probably your most treasured of all! Family cookbooks are wonderful.
I’ve seriously been enjoying all of your cookbook reviews. And I agree that one cookbook purchase/month is tough to stick to!!
Meeta says
congrats on completing the challenge deborah!
when i read the title i of the post in my reader i was a bit skeptical. but this does sound great!
The Mediocre Cook says
These sound really awesome and extremely easy. Plus I had never though to use Chow Mein noodles that way. For all your inspirational posts I have an award for you on my blog!