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 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
- Prep Time: 10 minutess
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: about 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
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!
Ingredients
- 1 (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.
Recipe Notes:
adapted from Goodman’s Galloping Gourmet (a family cookbook)
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 148
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: haystack cookies, no bake cookies, chow mein cookies
Mo Mo says
These look really good.
Sophie says
This cookies are really fun, I made something similar to these for a project once, but never knew where the recipe came from :). I have so many vintage cookbooks but I’m almost afraid to try out the recipes…what if food from back then tasted funnier :D.
Mochachocolata Rita says
wow! super creative! i loveee it!
just brilliant! i am veryyyy partial to anything golden brown ^_^
~~louise~~ says
Hi,
I just popped in via Coco Cooks in search of recipes to celebrate Apple Month in October. I am so delighted that I did. What a wonderful idea especially since October is also Cookbook Month! I may just have to devote a day to do the same or something similar. Thank you so much for sharing and for the inspiration!
eatme_delicious says
Wow how awesome to have family cookbooks like that. =) I bet these cookies are delicious.
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!
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!