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One of the easiest holiday treats to make is my no-bake Holiday Haystack Recipe! You only need three ingredients and a microwave to make them. They are perfect when you need a last-minute cookie during the holidays.

Close up side shot of holiday haystacks on parchment paper


Who has hours and hours to bake this time of year? I find that I’m really motivated at the start of the season to bake all the things, but as it gets closer to Christmas, the time disappears. That’s when I turn to this cute haystacks candy recipe – they are an easy no bake cookie that takes no time at all to make.

I love no bake easy treats like these – like my pretzel no bake cookies or my 3 ingredient almond clusters – they’re perfect for last minute baking and giving. They’re foolproof, easy, and delicious!

Overhead view of ingredients used in holiday haystacks

3 Ingredient Haystack Recipe

  • Almond bark or Melting Wafers – I like Ghirardelli Candy Melts best. You can also substitute white chocolate chips, but they’ll melt in your hands faster.
  • Chow mein noodles – those are the crisp noodles you can buy in a can. Look for them in the Asian foods section at the store.
  • M&Ms – for the holidays I go with red and green, but there are a lot of options. You can use regular m&ms if it’s not the holidays, or skip them for more traditional haystack candy.
Overhead view of melted while chocolate in clear bowl with wooden spoon
Overhead view of chow mein noodles being mixed into melted white chocolate in clear bowl with wooden spoon
Overhead view of green and red M&Ms being stirred into ingredients in clear bowl with wooden spoon

How to Make Haystack Cookies

  1. Follow the instructions on the almond bark package for how to melt chocolate. You should be able to do this in a large bowl in the microwave.
  2. Stir the chow mein noodles into the melted chocolate mixture.
  3. Stir in the M&Ms.
  4. Drop tablespoonfuls of the mixture on a parchment paper or wax paper lined baking sheet. You can use two spoons for this or a cookie scoop. They should look like little haystacks. Chill the haystacks until they are set.
Close up side shot of two holiday haystacks stacked on top of eachother

Haystack Recipe Variations

  • Butterscotch Haystacks: Swap the almond bark for a bag of butterscotch chips, like my cornflake cookies.
  • Chocolate Haystack Cookies: Use chocolate almond bark or candy melts in place of the white. Or use dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips.
  • Peanut Butter Chips: Use peanut butter chips in place of the white chocolate.
  • Add nuts: instead of M&Ms you can add peanuts, walnuts, cashews, almonds or any kind of nuts you like.

Storing Haystacks

Place in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can freeze them but they might dull when thawing; it’s best to just make these and enjoy within 2 weeks. They’re great for make ahead treats!

Close up side shot of two holiday haystacks stacked on top of eachother with top one cut in half to show inside

Expert Tips

  • Skip the M&Ms and sprinkle them with holiday sprinkles or other festive sprinkles after scooping onto the cookie sheets.
  • Do you have to use almond bark? Nope! You have some options and can use Candiquik, candy melts, or white chocolate baking bars. I think Ghiradelli candy melts taste the best, and they’re not as expensive as white chocolate baking bars. You can use candy melts sold at craft stores, too, but I don’t think they taste as good.
  • Be sure to read the package directions for melting – I usually heat at 50% power just so the chocolate doesn’t seize, especially if you’re using white chocolate.

FAQs

How do I make haystacks without a microwave?

If you don’t want to melt the chocolate in the microwave, simply add to a small saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until melted and smooth.

Close up side shot of two holiday haystacks stacked on top of eachother

Holiday Haystack Recipe

5 from 8 votes
One of the easiest holiday treats to make are these no-bake Holiday Haystacks! You only need three ingredients and a microwave wave to make them. They are perfect when you need a last-minute cookie during the holidays.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield 15 servings
Serving Size 1 serving
Rate RecipePrint Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 10 oz white almond bark
 see note
  • 2 cups chow mein noodles
  • 1 cup M&Ms see note
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Instructions

  • Melt white bark in a large microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until melted. Be sure to read the directions on the package for melting.
  • Stir in chow mein noodles.
  • If chocolate is still hot, allow it to cool a bit. Then stir in M&Ms.
  • Place spoonfuls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Chill and serve.
 Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe Notes

White Chocolate: you can use Almond Bark, Candiquik, or Ghiradelli Candy Melts (all found at the grocery store in the baking aisle). Of these, the Ghiradelli tastes the best. You can also use white chocolate baking bars (i.e. Bakers or Ghiradelli) but they are much more expensive. In a pinch you can use the candy melts you get at the craft store but they aren’t as good tasting.
M&Ms: use any color M&Ms (Christmas for holiday haystacks). You can use regular or mini or any flavor M&Ms or substitute sprinkles. If using sprinkles instead of candy, just sprinkle them over the top of the haystacks after scooping them.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Author Dorothy Kern

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Other Candy Recipes

Need a last-minute Christmas cookie recipe? Look no further! Holiday Haystacks are easy to make, no-bake and take no time at all.



Mel

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5 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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5 Comments

  3. just to let you know that I am making this for our Tuesday night Support meeting on December 14th. I like things easy and this is one of them. I have a stove but not an oven that works anymore. Everything is either in the frying pan or microware. Thank You for sharing this

    Reply

  4. My mother-in-law made this for me the first Christmas we were together white chocolate almond bark melted 2 cups rice krispies 2 cups Captain Crunch 2 cups peanuts or nuts of your choice and two cups thin stick pretzels broke in half absolutely the best

    Reply