Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Haystacks

These Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Haystacks are a family tradition and I can’t imagine the holidays without them. So simple. SO good!

Holidays and food are so firmly entrenched with each other that things we never think about during the rest of the year start to make their way to the surface of conscious thought this time of year and often bring back delicious memories.

Every year that I think I’ll throw the baby out with the bathwater and start with some new things; I’m called back to what might be called same old, same old, but it’s more than that. Every dish seems to have a story or a memory. That’s true of these Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Haystacks.

These might be simple but I’ve always loved them and they are a regular on our holiday plate of sweet treats and in the gift packages made for friends. I have honestly never thought to share them on this blog; assuming you and everyone you know has had them and/or made them and certainly has a recipe from way back.

So I was surprised when I mentioned to a friend that I was making them and she didn’t know what they were. Even more surprised when a neighbor came to borrow some sugar and I sent him home with some and again, he had never heard of them. WHOA!!! Really? Well I aim to right that wrong!

There is nothing fancy or time consuming or difficult here…and that’s probably a big part of their appeal. But there is smooth peanut butter combined with some sweet butterscotch baking chips that are poured over salty peanuts and chow mein noodles that give the treat structure, texture and just the perfect blend of salty, creamy and crunchy.

Most recipes I’ve seen over the years call for dropping the combination by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper to let them cool and harden. None of that for me, I make mine big; none of that teaspoon business for me. I recognized long ago that I’m going to eat more than one so I just put three together, use a tablespoon and call it good.

For years I would make two kinds, one with chocolate chips and this version with butterscotch chips. I like the chocolate ones fine but I’ve had a butterscotch thing since I was a little girl; I LOVED those little round flat orbs wrapped in cellophane; it’s always been my favorite. If you want to try them with chocolate chips, just switch out the butterscotch chips for an equal amount of chocolate chips.

When my kids were still living at home our holiday gifts to friends and family always consisted of a big basket of homemade goodies. Fruitcake (why yes, this one is REALLY good!), homemade rum and cinnamon caramel sauce, Pecan butter balls, wine jelly, and always these cookies.

Some recipes don’t call for the peanut butter but it’s been our tradition for years and well, why not right? The result is a richer flavor while still having the butterscotch element be obvious. Doesn’t peanut butter makes everything better…or at least it does in these delicious crunchy bites. The ingredient list is simple too; all you will need are: (complete recipe at end of post)

• 2 cups Butterscotch Morsels (or Chocolate chips if you prefer; I like Ghirardelli with no artificial flavorings)
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 10 oz chow mein noodles
• 1 cup salted peanuts

Easy, tasty and fun…I need more treats like this during the holidays don’t you? Unless you eat them all in one sitting so fair warning; it could happen! 🙂

PIN IT! ‘Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Haystacks’

Yield: 24 pieces

Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Haystacks

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An old fashioned favorite that has become a holiday tradition that we should really be making all year round!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups Butterscotch Morsels (I prefer Ghirardelli; no artificial flavorings)
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 10 oz chow mein noodles
• 1 cup salted peanuts

Instructions

1. Line cookie sheets with parchment or wax paper.
2. Put the morsels into a double boiler and heat over medium hot but not boiling water. When the morsels begin to melt; stir them occasionally until completely melted and smooth. Turn the heat to low and stir in the peanut butter until well blended.
3. Combine the chow mein noodles and peanuts in a large bowl and pour the butterscotch/peanut butter mixture over them and stir until all the ingredients are well coated.
4. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate until set. Can be stored at room temp during the winter; during the summer might require refrigeration.

Notes

The mixture can also be melted in the Microwave.

Microwave morsels in large, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; stir. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted. Proceed as per recipe directions.

Want more goodies? I've also added mini marshmallows on occasion but had none on hand. If you would like them, add a cup to a cup and a half to the mix along with the chow mein noodles and peanuts.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 513Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 666mgCarbohydrates: 70gFiber: 3gSugar: 40gProtein: 10g

The nutritional information is computer-generated and only an estimate.