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Easy Vintage Haystacks Candy

You’ll need just four ingredients and 10 minutes to make this simple, no-bake Haystacks Candy recipe with crunchy chow mein noodles, butterscotch, and peanut butter.
5 from 69 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Finished haystacks candy on a white serving plate.

Four ingredients and just 10 minutes are all you’ll need to make this Easy Vintage Haystacks Candy recipe. Crunchy chow mein noodles, butterscotch, and peanut butter collide in this no-bake treat for the holiday season or any time of year. It’s an easy to make vintage candy recipe that’s a perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy!

‘Tis the season for holiday baking and candy making! And though I do enjoy a leisurely day in the kitchen making Christmas candies, I also appreciate recipes that can be whipped up in just a few minutes.

Finished haystacks candy on a white serving plate.

This vintage recipe for No-Bake Butterscotch Haystacks Cookies is one of the quickest and simplest recipes I know. It takes about 10 minutes from getting the ingredients out of the pantry to dropping them onto the paper to cool.

This is also a retro recipe that I’ve had in my files forever. It’s a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy and makes a lovely addition to your assortment of more traditional Christmas candies.

🛒 Ingredient Notes


Ingredients used in the recipe.

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You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🔪 How to Make Easy Vintage Haystacks


Melt the Chips

Melted butterscotch chips in a large bowl.
STEP 1.

STEP 1. In a large bowl, microwave the butterscotch chips and peanut butter on 50% power for 3 to 5 minutes or until the chips have melted, stirring after each one-minute increment.

👉 PRO TIP: It’s important to use 50% power on the microwave or you’ll wind up with butterscotch chips that have seized or burned. Stir the mixture every minute. Alternately, you can melt the chips and peanut butter in the top of a double boiler.

Stir in the Peanuts and Noodles

STEP 2. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir in the peanuts and chow mein noodles. Stir gently until everything is coated very well. Take care not to break the noodles too much.

Drop Onto a Baking Sheet

Teaspoonfuls of haystacks candy dropped onto a baking sheet.
STEP 3.

STEP 3. Drop the mixture by teaspoonfuls onto waxed or parchment paper. Let it sit at room temperature until completely cooled and firm. It may take several hours for the candy to become firm depending on the humidity that day.

Finished haystacks candy on a white serving plate.

🍚 Storage and Make Ahead Information


  • Make Ahead: It goes without saying that these can, and should, be made in advance.
  • Storage: Best stored at room temperature. Refrigerating the haystacks tends to make them too firm. Place the finished candy in an airtight container and keep for 5 to 7 days (they would be fine for longer but the noodles tend to become stale after a while).
  • Freezing: Not recommended.

🔀 Variations


  • Swap out the peanuts with slivered almonds, chopped pecans, cashews, or walnuts.
  • Use milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or white chocolate chips in place of the butterscotch.
  • Add sprinkles for a pop of color and interest.
  • Drizzle the finished haystacks with melted milk chocolate.
  • For an Easter theme, shape the haystacks into the form of a nest and add a few egg-shaped candies in the center.
Finished haystacks candy on a white serving plate.

❓ Questions About Haystacks Candy


Why is it called “Haystacks?”

These candies are called haystacks because they resemble an old-fashioned stack of hay.

What are “chow mein noodles?”

The chow mein noodles you’ll use in this recipe are the crispy, quick cooked noodles available in most U.S. grocery stores. The most popular brand (and the one used for this recipe) is La Choy.

🧾 More Homemade Candy Recipes


HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?

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Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked it!

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📖 Recipe

Finished haystacks candy on a white serving plate.

Easy Vintage Haystacks Candy

You’ll need just four ingredients and 10 minutes to make this simple, no-bake Haystacks Candy recipe with crunchy chow mein noodles, butterscotch, and peanut butter.
4.95 from 69 votes
Print It Rate It Save
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 147kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butterscotch chips (recommend: Nestle Toll House brand)
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup salted peanuts
  • 2 cups chow mein noodles (La Choy brand recommended)

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, microwave the butterscotch chips and peanut butter on 50% power for 3 to 5 minutes or until the chips have melted, stirring after each one minute increment.
  • Remove from the microwave and stir in the peanuts and chow mein noodles.
  • Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed or parchment paper. Let sit until completely cooled and firm. It may take several hours for the candy to become firm.

Notes

  • It’s important to use 50% power on the microwave or you’ll wind up with butterscotch chips that have seized or burned. Stir the mixture every minute. Alternately, you can melt the chips and peanut butter in the top of a double boiler.
  • Storage: Best stored at room temperature. Refrigerating the haystacks tends to make them too firm. Place the finished candy in an airtight container and keep for 5 to 7 days (they would be fine for longer but the noodles tend to become stale after a while).
  • Freezing: Not recommended.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 147kcal | Carbohydrates 22g | Protein 5g | Fat 5g | Saturated Fat 1g | Cholesterol 1mg | Sodium 189mg | Potassium 59mg | Fiber 2g | Sugar 7g | Vitamin A 7IU | Calcium 6mg | Iron 1mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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— This post was originally published on December 11, 2012. It has been updated with new photographs and additional information.

Haystacks - An easy candy recipe from "back in the day." Perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy! https://www.lanascooking.com/haystacks

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39 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Super easy, crazy addictive! My family will often shape them into bars for easy of making large batches the same way you would Rice Krispie treats.