- Haystacks – An easy candy recipe from “back in the day.” 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 a quick few minutes.
These vintage Haystacks are one of those quick-few-minute recipes. For sure. I made this batch in less than 15 minutes from getting the ingredients out of the pantry to dropping them onto the paper to cool.
This is also another of those back-in-the-day recipes that I’ve had in my files forever. They’re a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy and make a lovely addition to your assortment of more traditional Christmas candies.
I remember making these with my friend Sandra back in high school. Yes indeed, this recipe has stood the test of time.
How to Make Haystacks
Start by dropping some butterscotch chips and peanut butter into a large bowl and microwave those until the chips have melted. It only takes 3 or 4 minutes, but be sure to set the microwave to 50% power or you’ll wind up with butterscotch chips that have “seized.” Trust me on that. Stir the mixture every minute.
Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir in the peanuts and chow mein noodles. I like to use the red-skinned Spanish peanuts for this, but the dry roasted are fine, too. Stir until everything is coated very well.
Then drop the mixture by teaspoonfuls onto waxed or parchment paper. Let it sit until completely cooled and firm. It may take several hours for the candy to become firm depending on the humidity that day.
Enjoy!
More Candy Recipes on Never Enough Thyme:
- Quick and Easy Fudge
- Mounds Bars Candy
- Classic Peanut Brittle
- Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Brittle
- Pecan Pralines
- Homemade Marshmallows
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Paté
- Bacon and Pecan Topped Toffee
- Toffee Bars (a.k.a. Redneck Toffee)
- Chinese Chews
Candy Recipes from Other Bloggers:
- Honeycomb Candy from The Seattlest
- Foolproof Peanut Butter Fudge from Real Mom Kitchen
- Dad’s Favorite Fudge from Simply Recipes
- Peppermint Bark from Brown Eyed Baker
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles from Better Homes and Gardens
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Haystacks
Haystacks - An easy candy recipe from "back in the day" updated for the microwave. Perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup salted peanuts
- 2 cups chow mein noodles
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
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 110Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 99mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 2g
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Lana Stuart is the author, photographer, cook, and occasional traveler at Never Enough Thyme. A former IT professional, she enjoys time in the kitchen and the art studio.
Gma Juju says
My Mother made haystacks in the 1960s. I make them today so they have been enjoyed for at least fifty years in this family!
Lenoria says
‘Yum, I haven’t made these in years! Thanks for bringing these back to my thoughts and I think I will whip up a batch for Christmas and maybe bring back some pleasant (and tasty) memories for my kids.
Lana Stuart says
You’re welcome, Lenoria! I hope you make them again and enjoy them.
D. Dunn says
I have been looking for this recipie for haystacks for some time. My neighbor made these a while ago I just loved them. Thank You! for the recipie!!
Lana Stuart says
Glad I could help!
Lynnae says
We make these at Easter; we press 2-3 tiny jelly beans into the center and call them “bird’s nests”.
At a bake sale last fall, someone made these haystacks with a candy-corn pumpkin pressed into the center of each. Versatile for any season or holiday!
Lana Stuart says
Great ideas for using Haystacks year-round! Thanks, Lynnae.
Amanda says
We make them, too. But we use mini marshmallows in place of the peanuts. They’re always gone in a hurry :)
Lana Stuart says
That sounds good, Amanda. I’ll try some with marshmallows next time I make them.
Jeff Crane says
We made this as kids and still do today but we never knew what they were called. We used a bag each of Chocolate chips and a Butterscotch chips and a bag or can of Chow Mein Noodles. We called them spider cookies.
Barb says
My family loves these..we prefer them with cashews. I buy the halves and pieces and give them a rough chop.
Lana says
Cashews sound good too! I think you could use any nut you like for these.
Stephanie says
Approximately how many pieces does the recipe make? Thanks.
Lana says
Hi Stephanie – it makes about 24 pieces.
Lana says
Your cookie tins – and their recipients – will surely thank you!
Drick says
yes indeed, these are a classic… I have not made these in a few years, and I think the cookie tins have been a little sad. Time to bring them back.
Have a great weekend.
icakepops says
What a happy little blast from the past! I had forgotten about these delights. They are so tasty!
Lana says
They are really good and so quick to make. Perfect for this busy time of year!
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I make these too!! They disappear. I might be the culprit. :)
Lana says
These disappeared, too. They went right out the door to work with Bill. Guess that means I’ll just have to make another batch. Oh, darn.