Butterscotch Haystacks

A sweet, salty, and crunchy treat, these Butterscotch Haystacks are an easy homemade confection that requires almost no effort to make. They’re perfect for the holidays, family get-togethers, or when you’re just craving a quick treat. And while these candies (or cookies, as some people call them) are made with only 3 simple ingredients, don’t let their simplicity fool you, because these Butterscotch Haystacks are incredibly tasty. {And if you love simple holiday treats, check out my recipe for Old-Fashioned Gingersnap Cookies.}

Are these Butterscotch Haystacks candies or no-bake cookies? I always call them candy, but call them haystack candy or call them haystack cookies, they’re so good either way. This is a vintage recipe that’s been around since about the 1960s or so. I remember them as being very popular during my childhood in the 70s and 80s. And they were popular for good reason. I mean, these are the kind of sweets that you can’t eat just one of. And they have that kind of retro vibe to them, being made with chow mein noodles and all (which, if you were around back then, you know were very popular in all kinds of dishes.)

And back when I was a kid, my mom was very into making cookies and candy for the holidays (and she still does enjoy it today). I would help her make many different kinds of elaborate homemade cookies and candy. Homemade peanut butter cups, English toffee, Linzer cookies, chocolate caramel turtles, and way more. She would fill our freezer with homemade goodies that she could pull out throughout the holidays to serve to guests. But this is a different type of candy that we also made back in the day. Easy, delicious, and not fancy at all. Because sometimes it’s nice to make a treat that requires minimal effort beyond some melting and stirring. And that’s exactly what these Haystacks are. 

So what are the ingredients for Butterscotch Haystacks?

The basic 3 ingredients are simple:

Butterscotch morsels – Any brand will do. They usually come in an 11-ounce bag. 

Chow Mein noodles – Be sure to get regular Chow Mein noodles that are already cooked. They are typically found in a 5-ounce can. 

Peanuts – I use salted, dry-roasted peanuts, but Spanish peanuts are also good for this recipe. I leave the peanuts whole, but you can coarsely chop them if you want.

There are optional ingredients that you will see in some recipes that include things like peanut butter and marshmallows. My favorite is the basic 3 ingredient haystack, but you can fancy it up with extra ingredients to suit your taste. Try adding some sprinkles if you’re serving these for the holidays. 

Tips for making Butterscotch Haystacks:

Making butterscotch haystack candy (or haystack cookies), couldn’t be simpler. 

• You’ll need to melt the butterscotch morsels in a double boiler or microwave. I heat mine in the microwave for one minute, then in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until everything is smooth and melted. If the mixture stiffens up while you are stirring it or portioning out the haystacks, just return the bowl to the microwave or double boiler and heat until it loosens up again.
• Allow the cookies to set up on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or a silicone mat. You can pop the pan into the fridge if you want them to set up faster. 
• To keep them fresh, store these haystacks in an airtight container for 3-4 days. For more extended storage, keep them in the refrigerator or freezer. 

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If you make this recipe for vintage Butterscotch Haystacks, I hope you love it. And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram so you don’t miss a post. 

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