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.
Grace says
this is the only way i’ve ever eaten chow mein noodles, and frankly, i think it’s my favorite home-made candy of all time. i rarely make them because i can never pace myself and end up gorging. 🙂
FreyaE says
Wow, what an unusual use of chow mein noodles! We can only get soft ones here but I imagine if you fry them off, you’d get the same effect?
Cynthia says
That’s so innovative using chow mein noodles to make cookies. Must be crunchy and nice.
veron says
fantastic! Love chow mein, so I bet I would love these!
Joe Horn says
That is so cool. I think I have one recipe from my grandmother handwritten and the rest have disappeared with her. Very, Very Cool
Michelle says
oh yeah, we call them “haystacks”
Michelle says
can you believe that I’ve actually made these before? yes, that’s right….I’ve made one of your cute little recipes before. My grandma has made these every Christmas since I can remember…so last Christmas when I made people treats, I sent these out. I love them. So yummy, and easy! (that’s the way I like it)
Katie says
What unique cookies. I have never heard of putting noodles in cookies before, but I love their appearance.
noble pig says
I have always loved this style cookie, so crunchy and perfect for dessert.
Patsyk says
Those look yummy!
I have enjoyed reading each of your reviews and comments on the cookbooks. I need to work on using each one of my cookbooks more often!
Big Boys Oven says
One look, I just adore them, so creative way of using chow mein!
Half Baked says
Thanks for the recipe Deborah. Mom used to make these when I was a child but I’d completely forgotten about these little cookies. I loved them as a kid.
Birdie says
What a great way to use up those chow mein noodles. These sound really easy and delicious.
Only one cookbook a month? How are you ever going to stick to that, I know I couldn’t
April says
oohh, I love these!! Congrats on completing your challenge!!
miriama says
Garlic because I can make garlic bread, add it to salads, pastas, all my meats.
hot garlic says
Good for you for keeping up with it! That is great that you so treasure your family cookbook. I think these cookies are the kind of thing that I would be skeptical of from the recipe, but if I were at a party I’d be downing them wondering what the secret ingredient was!