These Haystacks Candy prove that simplicity can be delicious. With just three ingredients, no oven required, and naturally gluten-free, they're the easiest way to whip up a sweet, crunchy, chocolatey bite.
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When I was growing up, my mom always made Haystacks Candy during the holidays, and I loved sneaking one (or two) before they set. This version keeps the same chocolatey crunch you remember, but it's gluten-free, no-bake, and made with only three ingredients.
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If you are looking for other holiday candies or treats, check out my Chocolate Peppermint Bark, Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls, Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats , or White Chocolate Cranberry Bars!
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes:
Chow Mein Noodles - You can use any chow mein noodles for this recipe. I wanted to keep this recipe gluten-free as written so I tested with these Gefen gluten-free noodles. The taste was the same as regular chow mein noodles.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Haystacks Candy: Step-By-Step
Step 1: Place the chocolate and butterscotch chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. Using 30-second intervals, and stirring in between until smooth, microwave until melted and combined.
Step 2: Mix in the chow mein noodles (I use gluten-free noodles) until coated.
Step 3: Scoop out the mixture in roughly tablespoon-sized scoops and place it on a lined cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper or wax paper.
Step 4: Top them with flaky sea salt, if desired, or a topping of your choice. Let them sit on the counter for 45 minutes to cool and set.
Pro Tip
To portion the chocolate haystacks, I find it helps to grease the spoon you're portioning them with. This way they drop nicely and have the appearance of a shape.
If you want to gift these chocolate clusters, drop them into muffin cups when you portion them. Then arrange the muffin cups in a little tin, wrap them up with a bow, and gift them to friends and neighbors.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chips - In place of the semisweet chocolate chips you can sub them out for white chocolate or dark chocolate chips to create a richer and indulgent feel to the haystacks.
- Caramel or Peanut Butter Chips - In place of butterscotch, you can use caramel or peanut butter chips for an almost candy bar kind of flavor.
- Toppings - if you want to jazz up the look of the chocolate haystacks, you could sprinkle them with crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, toffee bits, coconut flakes, crushed peanuts, flaky sea salt, or holiday sprinkles for the occasion. I have even seen small candy easter eggs nestled into the center of the haystack. They are adorable!
- Change the crunch - the chow mein noodles are what give the recipe its maximum crunch factor. However, large chunked toasted coconut, salted peanuts, or pretzels are another delicious option to swap in when you want a change!
- Peppermint - add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the melted semisweet chocolate chips and/or top the haystacks with crushed candy canes.
What Are The Origins Of Haystack Cookies?
These no-bake cookies are often attributed to mid-20th-century American home cooking, gaining popularity in the 1950s or 1960s. The recipe seems to have become a favorite for its simplicity, quick preparation, and the sweet-savory combination that many people find appealing.
The common name of the cookie is haystacks. The use of chow mein noodles in a dessert may have been inspired by a desire for a crunchy texture and a unique twist on traditional no-bake cookies.
Haystack cookies, or Chocolate Chow Mein Noodle Cookies, have become a classic treat, especially popular during the holiday season. Over the years, variations of the recipe have emerged, with some people adding different ingredients like coconut, nuts, or dried fruits to customize the flavor.
It has been suggested that these cookies likely developed in home kitchens and were shared among friends and communities, contributing to their widespread popularity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, chocolate haystacks are made of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and chow mein noodles. However, there are lots of different flavor combinations that you can use.
With no-bake chocolate haystacks, you can store them on the counter so long as you only melt down chocolate and don't add oil or butter. If made this way, the haystacks won't melt at room temperature and are fine to be stored on the counter.
Other Chocolate Candies To Try
If you are looking for a sweet treat that comes together fast then this Chocolate Chow Mein Noodle Cookies No Bake Recipe are the best! This time of year it is a regular family recipe on repeat!
Let me know your thoughts on this Haystacks Candy by leaving a star rating below or by sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, or Pinterest!
Thank you!
Gwen
Haystacks Candy (GF)
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
- 6 oz butterscotch chips
- 7 oz gluten-free chow mein noodles
Instructions
- Prepare a large sheet pan with parchment or wax paper.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and the butterscotch chips.12 oz semisweet chocolate chips, 6 oz butterscotch chips
- Melt on high using 30 second intervals and stirring in between until combined.
- Add the chow mein noodles and fold into the melted chocolate mix.7 oz gluten-free chow mein noodles
- Using a tablespoon, drop a spoon-sized amount of batter onto the sheet pan.
- Let sit on the counter for 45 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- flaky sea salt
- crushed candy canes
- toffee bits
- mini marshmallows
- mini easter eggs
- coconut flakes
- sprinkles
- crushed peanuts, etc
Anonymous says
Yum!