‘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.
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!
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Haystacks
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
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I make these too!! They disappear. I might be the culprit. :)
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.
What a happy little blast from the past! I had forgotten about these delights. They are so tasty!
They are really good and so quick to make. Perfect for this busy time of year!
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.
Your cookie tins – and their recipients – will surely thank you!
Approximately how many pieces does the recipe make? Thanks.
Hi Stephanie – it makes about 24 pieces.
My family loves these..we prefer them with cashews. I buy the halves and pieces and give them a rough chop.
Cashews sound good too! I think you could use any nut you like for these.
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.
We make them, too. But we use mini marshmallows in place of the peanuts. They’re always gone in a hurry :)
That sounds good, Amanda. I’ll try some with marshmallows next time I make them.
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!
Great ideas for using Haystacks year-round! Thanks, Lynnae.
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!!
Glad I could help!
‘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.
You’re welcome, Lenoria! I hope you make them again and enjoy them.
My Mother made haystacks in the 1960s. I make them today so they have been enjoyed for at least fifty years in this family!