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    Meals » Recipes » Desserts

    No Bake Haystack Cookies

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Sep 12, 2022 by Dee

    No Bake Haystack Cookies with chow mein noodles, peanut butter, butterscotch morsels and marshmallow pumpkins are a perfect sweet treat for fall. Everyone loves these easy butterscotch haystacks! via @meamel

    No Bake Haystack Cookies with chow mein noodles, peanut butter, butterscotch morsels and marshmallow pumpkins are a perfect sweet treat for fall. Everyone loves these easy butterscotch haystacks!

    Jump to Recipe -
    no bake haystack cookies with butterscotch morsels and marshmallow pumpkins on plate
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make No Bake Haystack Cookies
    • Cook Time
    • How to Store
    • Variations
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Have you ever made chow mein noodle cookies before? I guess If you think about it, it's kind of an odd combo -- butterscotch, peanut butter and the crispy chow mein noodles. But the recipe does work, and they're definitely tasty treats.

    I have been making the haystacks since my older kids were small. Actually, since these are no bake, I usually make them in the summer. But since it's fall, I thought it would be fun to make fall haystacks with marshmallow pumpkins.

    This cute no bake cookie recipe is an easy dessert perfect for any fall gathering, Halloween party or harvest festival. Serve them with Nutter Butter Ghost Cookies, Halloween Oreos or Oreo Turkey Cookies for a simple dessert table!

    chow mein noodles, peanut butter, butterscotch morsels and marshmallow pumpkins

    One of the best things about these no bake cookies with chow mein noodles is that you can make them in just a few minutes. Just melt some peanut butter and butterscotch chips together, mix in the noodles, and drop tablespoon-sized balls onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

    Ingredients

    You only need 4 simple ingredients for these chow mein cookies. You can find them in grocery stores or online.

    • Crunchy chow mein noodles -- usually in the Asian section
    • Peanut butter -- creamy peanut butter works best
    • Butterscotch morsels -- any brand
    • Marshmallow pumpkins -- leave out if desired

    How to Make No Bake Haystack Cookies

    First, add the butterscotch morsels and peanut butter to a medium mixing bowl. Then place the bowl in the microwave to melt the morsels and peanut butter.

    You can also melt them on your stove with the double boiler method.

    butterscotch morsels and creamy peanut butter in bowl

    Cook Time

    Melt the peanut butter and morsels in thirty second intervals, stirring the mixture after each interval.

    It only took one minute and thirty seconds -- that's 3 thirty second increments-- for the morsels and peanut butter to be completely melted, but time will vary based on your microwave.

    stir melted peanut butter and butterscotch chips

    Once the peanut butter and butterscotch morsels are completely melted, toss in your Chinese noodles. Mix together until the noodles are evenly coated.

    chow mein noodles coated in butterscotch mixture

    Next, place a tablespoon scoop of the the mixture onto a baking tray lined with wax paper or parchment paper.

    You can also use a cookie scoop for this step or 2 spoons.

    fall-butterscotch-haystacks-candy-bundles

    You can make them round, almost like cookies, but if you arrange the mix so that the tops are narrower, you get a bunch of little haystacks.

    Pro tip -- Spray a little non stick spray on your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking while you work!

    I thought it would be fun to add some candy pumpkin to the mix, so I pressed a pumpkin onto each stack.

    Then, I put the tray into the fridge to cool off.

    overhead pic of butterscotch haystack cookies with pumpkins

    The first time I made these, I wasn't sure if the pumpkins would stick, but they did. And after a few minutes, the little mini haystack treats were firm enough to eat! 

    How to Store

    Store these haystack candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will last for up to one week.

    Should haystack cookies be refrigerated?

    Yes. I do not recommend keeping these no bake haystack cookies at room temperature because the butterscotch will melt if your house is warm.

    I do recommend allowing the candies to warm up slightly before eating because they may be too hard straight out of the refrigerator.

    Can you freeze haystacks?

    Yes, you can! Keep them in freezer bags for up to 6 months for best taste, and allow to come to room temperature before eating.

    no bake cookies with chow mein noodles and pumpkins

    By themselves, the treats aren't that sweet, even though they contain the butterscotch chips. I think the peanut butter evens things out.

    So, the candy pumpkins add a touch of sweetness to the haystack cookies, and it's a nice mix of salty and sweet -- one of my favorite combos!

    Variations

    There are a few ways to customize this haystack cookie recipe.

    Make chocolate haystacks by substituting any type of chocolate chips in place of butterscotch chips. Whether it's dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips, it'll work!

    Use almond butter instead of peanut butter. You can use crunchy peanut butter for a crunchier cookie.

    In the spring, make nests with candy eggs. You can make Christmas trees using green food coloring during the holiday season.

    haystack cookies with pumpkin in hand

    Recipe

    no bake haystack cookies with butterscotch and marshmallow pumpkins on plate

    No Bake Haystack Cookies

    Published by Dee
    No Bake Haystack Cookies with chow mein noodles, peanut butter, butterscotch morsels and marshmallow pumpkins are a perfect sweet treat for fall. Everyone loves these easy butterscotch haystacks!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Cooling Time 15 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24
    Calories 73 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1½ cups butterscotch candy morsels an 11-oz bag
    • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 3 cups crunchy chow mein noodles
    • Small candy pumpkins for garnish if desired

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, melt the morsels and the peanut butter in the microwave
    • Mix in the chow mein noodles
    • Use tablespoon to drop onto wax-paper lined baking sheet, and shape into haystacks
    • Press 1 pumpkin against each haystack, if desired
    • Refrigerate until cool and firm
    • Store in refrigerator

    Notes

    To make forming the haystacks easier, spray a little non stick cooking spray on your hands.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 73kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSodium: 84mgPotassium: 59mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.4mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    These butterscotch haystacks candy treats would be perfect for fall parties or just because. They're quick and easy to make and definitely kid approved!

    I hope you love this haystack candy recipe as much as we do! These haystacks are definitely one of my all time favorite no-bake cookies as much as I do!

    For more no bake recipes, fall recipes and easy recipes, please follow me on social media and subscribe to the weekly newsletter!

    sig%2B1.png
    fall-butterscotch-haystacks-candy-treats-pumpkins

    Recipe first published in 2016 and updated in 2022.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Nicole says

      October 26, 2016 at 6:33 pm

      These are ao cute for fall. Can they be made without the peanut butter?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 26, 2016 at 8:27 pm

        I think butterscotch alone might work, but I'm not quite sure. You can try it and see what happens. 🙂

    2. Leslie says

      September 20, 2016 at 1:43 pm

      These are too cute! I love the little pumpkin accent!

      Reply
    3. Susan Vilar says

      September 18, 2016 at 8:58 pm

      They are fantastic candy... they've been my favorite since I was young. In my family, the haystacks are Christmas candy. I include them in my candy gifts for the neighbors and coworkers.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 18, 2016 at 10:45 pm

        That's I great idea -- I may have to do that this year! 🙂

    4. Miz Helen says

      September 16, 2016 at 9:18 am

      Your Butterscotch Haystacks are a perfect treat for fall. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you have a fantastic week and come back real soon!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    5. Shirley Wood says

      September 15, 2016 at 11:50 am

      We love Haystacks. My daughter makes them every year. I'll have to show her yours. I like the pumpkins!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 15, 2016 at 7:54 pm

        Thanks, Shirley. When I saw the pumpkins, I had to add them!

    6. Courtney says

      September 15, 2016 at 7:47 am

      Yum! And the pumpkins make them totally adorable, oh my goodness. 🙂

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 15, 2016 at 7:53 pm

        Thanks, Courtney. I wish they made candy scarecrows too. 🙂

    7. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 14, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      Those look yummy and I love that you used chow mein noodles for that touch of salt!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 14, 2016 at 10:05 pm

        Thanks, Kimberly! It's a great sweet and salty combo.

    8. Audrey says

      September 12, 2016 at 3:10 pm

      Love the addition of the pumpkin.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 13, 2016 at 6:26 am

        Thanks, Audrey. We tend to add pumpkins to everything in the fall. 🙂

    9. Mother of 3 says

      September 12, 2016 at 4:16 am

      I bet my kids would love these! We used chocolate morsels, pb and chow mein noodles to make bird's nest this spring and they loved that. This would be a fun fall activity. Thanks for the idea. Pinned.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 12, 2016 at 6:23 am

        Bird's nests sound fun -- I'll have to remember this for spring!

    10. Crystal says

      September 11, 2016 at 4:32 am

      These are so cute! My kids would love to make them., I've never seen this before.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 11, 2016 at 10:03 am

        They're a lot of fun for the kids -- a little messy, but fun! 🙂

    11. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

      September 10, 2016 at 4:11 pm

      Ahhhhhh... this is such a classic treat! 🙂 Love your fall twist!

      Reply
    12. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      September 10, 2016 at 8:40 am

      These are so fun! i remember having them as a kid, but don't remember them being butterscotch. Super fun, and you've gotta love a no-bake treat!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 10, 2016 at 10:11 am

        I think there are different variations out there, but I love butterscotch!

    13. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      September 09, 2016 at 7:10 pm

      This is such a great childhood favorite! Also, I need to make a batch. Your photos make me crave these!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 10, 2016 at 10:10 am

        Thanks, Anna. We have a few left -- the kids really loved them!

    14. Michelle De La Cerda says

      September 09, 2016 at 7:09 pm

      How fun are these? I can't believe the season is to make these cute little haystacks.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 10, 2016 at 10:09 am

        I'm with you there -- time sure does fly!

    15. Maryanne | the little epicurean says

      September 09, 2016 at 4:58 pm

      Sounds like a tasty combo! I could totally use these to decorate my Halloween cakes!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 10, 2016 at 10:09 am

        These would be perfect for decorating, and that's a great idea!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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