Easy Vintage Haystacks Candy Recipe (2024)

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ByLana Stuart Published: Last Updated:

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4.96 from 84 votes

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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!

Easy Vintage Haystacks Candy Recipe (1)

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‘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.

This vintage recipe for No-Bake ButterscotchHaystacks 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 retro haystacks recipe has been 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

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This post contains affiliate links. Lana’s Cooking is reader-supported and earns a tiny commission at no extra cost to you when you shop from our links.

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

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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

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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

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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.

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🍚 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.

❓ 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

Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Bark

Homemade Southern Pecan Pralines

Saltine Cracker Toffee

  • Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Bark
  • Easy 5-Minute Microwave Fudge
  • Mounds Bars Candy
  • Classic Peanut Brittle
  • Salted Butterscotch Fudge
  • Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Brittle
  • Homemade Southern Pecan Pralines
  • Homemade Marshmallows
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Paté
  • Bacon and Pecan Topped Toffee
  • Saltine Cracker Toffee
Easy Vintage Haystacks Candy Recipe (12)

Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

📖 Recipe

Easy Vintage Haystacks Candy Recipe (13)

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.

4.96 from 84 votes

Print It Rate It Save

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes 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 healthcare 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.

Easy Vintage Haystacks Candy Recipe (14)

Lana Stuart

Lana Stuart is the cook, writer, and founder of Lana’s Cooking. Lana has been cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove and started this blog in 2009 to share her delicious home cooking recipes. You'll find about 700 recipes here so there's sure to be something your family will like!
More About Lana →

Easy Vintage Haystacks Candy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are haystacks candy made of? ›

It's so quick and easy, using just four ingredients: chow mein noodles, co*cktail peanuts, white chocolate/candy/almond bark, and red and blue sprinkles. All you have to do is melt the candy, combine it in a bowl with the noodles and peanuts, and then place the haystacks on a baking sheet to set.

What are butterscotch haystacks made of? ›

ingredients
  • 2 cups butterscotch chips.
  • 1 cup peanut butter.
  • 3 cups mini marshmallows.
  • 4 cups chow mein noodles.

What are haystack cookies made of? ›

Haystack Cookies are a magical combination of butterscotch, peanut butter, chocolate, M&Ms, and marshmallow bits. It doesn't get much sweeter than this!! It all comes together with a secret ingredient that you likely wouldn't expect: noodles!

What is the candy that looks like hay? ›

❓ Questions About Haystacks Candy

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

How do you make a traditional haystack? ›

The Romanian-style haystack is made by stacking dried grass hay upon a bed of branches (4 pallets would work), around a very tall, central pole, which is braced with a tri-pod, and then the hay is stacked very high. The outside of the stack is then raked with a hayrake, to form a thatched outer shell.

Who invented haystacks? ›

A Seventh-day Adventist named Ella May Hartlein is credited with coming up with the recipe for this version of haystacks in the early 1950s, when she and her family craved tostadas and could not find a Mexican restaurant close to their home.

What is the difference between Carmel and butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch vs Caramel

The difference between butterscotch and caramel is that caramel is made with white granulated sugar and cooked to 340 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas butterscotch is made with brown sugar and cooked to 289 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why is butterscotch called butterscotch? ›

The term "butterscotch" is thought to originate from the confection's primary ingredients – butter and the process of "scotching," which in this context means to cut or score. The "butter" part of the name straightforwardly refers to one of the key components of the sweet.

What makes butterscotch taste like butterscotch? ›

The flavor of butterscotch is characterized by a mixture of browned butter, caramelized sugar + molasses (or dark brown sugar in modern versions) and salt. The flavor of caramel is characterized by caramelized sugar independent of molasses, butter or even salt.

Why are they called cowboy cookies? ›

The story that describes them in originating in the Old West claims that they were eaten by cowboys as a high energy snack that could be easily carried. The dessert is also associated with the state of Wyoming. Cowboy cookie dough with chocolate chips and pretzels ready to be mixed in.

What are lady finger cookies made of? ›

Ladyfinger (biscuit)
Ladyfingers
Alternative namesSavoiardi, sponge fingers, boudoir
Region or stateDuchy of Savoy
Created by15th-century official cuisine of the Duchy of Savoy (may antedate in vernacular cuisine)
Main ingredientsFlour, egg whites, egg yolks, sugar, powdered sugar
4 more rows

Why are my haystack cookies sticky? ›

Sticky no-bake cookies can result from overcooking the mixture or not letting it cool enough before forming the cookies. You can try refrigerating them to firm them up, or adjust the cooking time next time for better results.

What are juju candies? ›

Jujube (/ˈdʒuːdʒuːb/ or /ˈdʒuːdʒuːbiː/; also known as jube or juju) is a gummy type of candy drop. Jujube. American jujubes. Alternative names. Jube, Ju Ju Drop.

What are rascals candy? ›

They taste just like the fruits they are shaped as and can help keep cravings at bay when dieting or trying to quit smoking. On the Inside: known as chalk candy, this is candy that's made from powdered ingredients, mostly dextrose (also known as glucose).

What is rabbit candy made of? ›

White Rabbit candies are a milk-based white candy with a soft, chewy texture, sold as small, rectangular candies approximately 3 cm × 1 cm (1.18 in × 0.39 in) similar to taffy. Each candy is wrapped in a thin edible paper-like wrapping made from sticky rice. They are then wrapped in a printed waxed paper wrapper.

What is sesame candy made of? ›

Sesame seed candy is a confection of sesame seeds and sugar or honey pressed into a bar or ball. It is popular from the Middle East through South Asia to East Asia.

Do haystacks have needles? ›

Some haystacks are small and you can quickly search and determine whether there's a needle in it or not. Some haystacks have many needles and your odds of finding one are better than if you'd searched a different one. But, some haystacks have no needles.

What is molasses candy made of? ›

In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, sorghum molasses, butter, M-K Pure Vanilla Extract, and vinegar. Mix the ingredients well and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue boiling until the mixture hardens when a small amount is dropped into cold water. Once it reaches this stage, stir in the baking soda.

What is candy jelly made of? ›

Jelly candies are made from Gelatin|Pectin|Carrageenan, Glucose syrup, sugar, purified water, sodium citrate, fruit and plant extracts, flavors, colors, and a little citric acid, etc, blended all these ingredients controlling various characteristics to come up with the best taste and texture.

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