A Spicy Perspective

Haystack Cookies Recipe (Birds Nest Cookies)

Haystack Cookies 2 Ways! A fabulous No-Bake Cookies Recipe you can make for Christmas, Easter, or any time of year! Sprinkle the tops with holiday sprinkles, or press candy eggs in the centers for spring Bird’s Nest Cookies.

Haystack Cookie  Recipe on a plate

No Bake Cookies

Today we have a fantastic guest post and recipe from my friend Michelle from the blog The Wooden Spoon Effect! Take it away Michelle….

Somebody stop us from eating the whole batch of Haystack Cookies! These no-bake cookies are made with butterscotch chips, peanut butter, and chow mein noodles, and they are absolutely addictive. Just one bite of these chewy, crunchy cookies and you’ll be hooked.

Looking for a deliciously easy and fun treat to make with the kids? Haystack Cookies are the perfect answer! These no-bake cookies are made with only Butterscotch Chips, Peanut Butter, and Chow Mein Noodles, and come together in a snap. Just mix everything together, drop by the spoonful onto parchment or wax paper, and let them set. Once they’ve hardened, you’ll have irresistible cookies that are perfect for sharing. And since they don’t require any baking, you can be sure that even the littlest hands will be able to help out in making them. So gather up the ingredients and get ready to enjoy some delicious Haystack Cookies!

Birds Nest Cookies overhead on wax paper

The only difference between the two recipes is the method in which you drop the haystacks on the wax paper, and the toppings.

For the Birds Nest, when you place the mixture on the wax paper you will then use the back of your spoon to slightly push the haystack cookie down to almost flat. Then add the Mini Chocolate Cadbury eggs or Robin’s Eggs to the nest. Do so quickly before the coating dries so they stick.

Haystack Cookies are simply dropped onto the wax paper in little, well, haystacks. You can sprinkle to tops with colored sprinkles if you like, or leave them plain.

If you are looking for a new and delicious cookie to add to your repertoire, look no further than the Haystack Cookie. They are fast and easy to make and have amazing peanut butter flavor. Be sure to give them a try soon!

butterscotch baking chips

What Is Needed To Make Butterscotch Haystacks

  • Butterscotch Baking Chips – or chocolate chips
  • Peanut Butter – creamy
  • Chow Mein Noodles – the crunchy kind used as a salad topping
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Equipment

  • Wax Paper
  • Baking Sheet
  • Medium Mixing Bowl
  • Spoon
melted baking chips in bowl

Haystack Cookies Recipe (AKA Birds Nest Cookies)

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.
  2. Pour the Butterscotch baking chips into a medium mixing bowl and place in the microwave on 50% power and heat for 1 minute. Stir and place back in the microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until the baking chips are melted and smooth.
  3. Stir in the peanut butter until well combined then add in the chow mein noodles. Stir gently until combined.
  4. Using a spoon, place rounded tablespoon scoops of the mixture on the baking sheet that has been prepared with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  5. Before the mixture sets, add sprinkles to the haystacks. If you want to make Birds Nest Cookies, use the back of your spoon to gently press the center down. Then add the mini eggs.

Get the Full (Printable) No Bake Haystack Cookies AKA Birds Nest Cookies Recipe + Video Below!

add chow mein noodles to melted mixture

Variations For Bird’s Nest Cookies Recipe

  • White Chocolate – White Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter, and Chow Mein Noodles
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter – Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter, and Chow Mein Noodles
  • Chocolate No-Bake – Oats, Coconut, Cocoa Powder
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter – Oats, Peanut Butter Chips, Coconut, Cocoa Powder

With all these variations you could easily add any type of nut or nut butter (peanuts, walnuts, almonds, or pecans) or hard card ( M&Ms, Red Hots, Nerds.) The possibilities are limitless! Haystack cookies are perfect for a quick dessert or snack and can be easily customized to your liking.

drop mixture onto wax paper

These Haystack cookies are also known as Bird’s Nest Cookies because of their nest-like shape.

Haystack cookies are one of the easiest recipes around and only require a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. This no-bake cookie is perfect for those days when you’re short on time or patience. 

The Haystack cookie recipe is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century. These delicious no-bake cookies can be made in less than 30 minutes and only require a few simple ingredients.

easy no bake cookie nests with candy eggs and sprinkle

How To Store Haystack Cookies

It is best to store these Haystack Cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock baggie for up to 1 week, if you can keep from eating them all.

Best Haystack Cookies Recipe close up on plate

Yes, it can! Using a double boiler, place the butterscotch baking chips in and slowly melt until creamy. Remove from the heat and add the peanut butter.

Stir until combined then add in the chow mein noodles and gently stir until all the noodles are coated with the mixture. Add in any of the options from above and place spoonfuls on the prepared baking sheet.

Michelle Huston

About Michelle Huston

She’s the sunscreen queen, main idea girl, and creator of The Wooden Spoon Effect.

You can either catch Michelle standing in the kitchen with a wooden spoon in her hand or outside with her camera taking pictures of all the things.

Michelle loves her husband, kids, and granddaughters, spending time as a family, and traveling.

She spends her downtime -whenever that is- taking long hot baths, drinking wine, and reading smutty books.

MORE EASTER TREATS

Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, fiber, vitamin, and calcium percentages.

easy no bake cookie nests
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes
Leave a Review »

Haystack Cookies Recipe (Birds Nest Cookies)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
A fabulous No-Bake Cookies Recipe you can make for Christmas, Easter or any time of year! Sprinkle the tops of the haystacks with colored holiday sprinkles, or press candy eggs in the centers for spring Bird's Nest Cookies.
Servings: 18 cookies

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.
  • Pour the butterscotch baking chips into a medium mixing bowl and place in the microwave on 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and place back in the microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until the baking chips are melted and smooth.
  • Stir in the peanut butter until well combined. Then add in the chow mein noodles. Stir gently until combined.
  • Using a spoon, place rounded tablespoon scoops of the mixture on the baking sheet that has been prepared.
  • Before the mixture sets, add sprinkles to the Haystacks. If you want to make Birds Nest Cookies, use the back of your spoon to gently press the center down. Then press in mini candy eggs. (Work fast!)

Video

Notes

For Birds Nest Cookies, buy a bag of min candy eggs to use on top!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 183kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 232mg, Potassium: 60mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 17IU, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

Share This Recipe With Friends!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Did you make this recipe? Rate it!




4 comments on “Haystack Cookies Recipe (Birds Nest Cookies)”

  1. great cookies for Easter, great idea to use chow mein noodles, make these look like art!

  2. My kids love these!! We make them around Easter every year & add the cadbury eggs on top. They are crunchy & delicious!

  3. Oh I remember eating these growing up! What a fun memory. Thanks for reminding me about these, I have to make them now!

  4. This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make haystack cookies recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!