A cheerful, no-bake treat that captures the magic of the holidays in just 10 minutes of prep! Christmas Haystacks are the perfect combination of sweet butterscotch, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy chow mein noodles, bundled into bite-sized clusters. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute dessert or something fun to make with the kids, these festive haystacks will quickly become a family favorite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Christmas Haystacks are easy, quick, and made with only three ingredients. They’re perfect for cookie trays, edible gifts, or party platters. With no baking required, they save precious time during the holiday rush. Plus, they offer that irresistible blend of sweet and salty crunch that both kids and adults adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Core Ingredients
You’ll need just three staples: 1 (11-ounce) bag of butterscotch chips, 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, and 2 cups of chow mein noodles. That’s all you need for the classic, crave-worthy version!
Optional Add-ins
If you’d like to switch things up, add mini marshmallows, salted peanuts, or crushed pretzels. These give your haystacks fun pops of texture and flavor, making every batch a little different.
How to Make Christmas Haystacks
Step 1 – Melt and Mix
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt your butterscotch chips and peanut butter together, stirring constantly until smooth and silky. The aroma alone will make the kitchen feel like Christmas morning.
Step 2 – Combine
Next, remove the pan from heat and gently fold in the chow mein noodles. Stir slowly until all the noodles are evenly coated in that sweet, golden mixture.
Step 3 – Form and Set
Drop spoonfuls of the coated noodles onto wax paper. Let them cool for about 20 minutes, or until they harden into those signature crunchy clusters.
Pro Tips for Perfect Haystacks
Let the haystacks cool completely before moving or storing them. This helps them keep their shape and crunch. For a more even coating, stir gently so the noodles stay crisp. To make them extra festive, drizzle with melted white chocolate or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top before they set.
If you love other quick seasonal sweets, check out my Easy No-Bake Cookies for Holiday Trays — they pair beautifully with these haystacks on any dessert table.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
You can easily swap butterscotch chips for white or milk chocolate chips if you prefer a different flavor. For a nut-free version, try sunflower or cookie butter instead of peanut butter. You can even mix in red and green sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or dried cranberries for a festive Christmas touch.
Want more holiday dessert inspiration? Try my Peppermint Bark Brownies for Festive Flavor or Chocolate Crinkle Cookies for Classic Christmas Cookie Platters.
Storage and Shelf Life
Once cooled, store your Christmas Haystacks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If your kitchen runs warm, refrigerate them to keep their firmness. To prevent sticking, layer them between sheets of wax or parchment paper. They’ll stay perfectly crunchy and chewy, ready for whenever that holiday sweet tooth strikes.
FAQs
What are haystacks made of?
Haystacks are typically made from a simple mixture of butterscotch chips, peanut butter, and crunchy chow mein noodles. The combination makes a sweet and salty, chewy and crunchy treat.
What can I add to my haystacks recipe?
You can stir in mini marshmallows, salted peanuts, pretzels, or festive sprinkles. These add fun texture and color.
How long do haystacks last?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, haystacks last for about a week. In the fridge, they can keep a little longer around 10 days.
Are haystacks nachos?
No, they’re sweet no-bake desserts that only share the “stacked” look. Haystacks in dessert form are made of chow mein noodles, not tortilla chips.
More Such Recipes
- Red, White and Blue Cheesecake Bars for Holiday Celebrations
- Cherry Pie Bites – A Quick Christmas Treat
- Soft Pumpkin Snickerdoodles for Cozy Winter Baking
- Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars Perfect for All Occasions
Conclusion
Christmas Haystacks are the ultimate holiday shortcut dessert simple, sweet, and endlessly customizable. With just three pantry ingredients, you can whip up a batch in minutes and bring a nostalgic crunch to your cookie platter. For more creative dessert ideas, follow me on Pinterest and Facebook to see what’s baking in my kitchen next.
Print
Christmas Haystacks | Easy 3-Ingredient Holiday Treat
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 15–20 haystacks 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cheerful, no-bake treat that captures the magic of the holidays in just 10 minutes of prep! Christmas Haystacks combine sweet butterscotch, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy chow mein noodles into the easiest festive dessert ever.
Ingredients
1 (11-ounce) bag butterscotch chips
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups chow mein noodles
Optional: ½ cup mini marshmallows, ½ cup salted peanuts, or ¼ cup crushed pretzels for extra crunch
Instructions
1. In a saucepan over low heat, melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter together, stirring until smooth.
2. Remove from heat and gently fold in chow mein noodles until evenly coated.
3. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto wax or parchment paper.
4. Let cool for 20 minutes, or until set and firm.
5. Store in an airtight container once completely hardened.
Notes
Let the haystacks cool fully before storing so they keep their shape.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or refrigerate if it’s warm.
You can add mini marshmallows, crushed pretzels, or peanuts for extra crunch and flavor.
For a different twist, try swapping butterscotch chips for milk or white chocolate chips.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Easy & Decadent Christmas Desserts
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 haystack (about 35g)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg