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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 wave to make them. They are perfect when you need a last-minute cookie during the holidays.

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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 treat that takes no time at all to make.

You only need three ingredients for this easy recipe: white almond bark, chow mein noodles, and M&Ms. I’ve seen thousands of haystack recipe variations, but I think my white chocolate haystacks are the best! With minimal effort, you get a sweet treat that everyone will love. 

Once you know how to make them, there are a lot of ways you can switch it up – I’m sharing all of my tips so you can do just that! 

This is also a great recipe to make with kids because it’s fail-proof and fun to make.

Overhead view of ingredients used in holiday haystacks

Just 3 Ingredients in this Haystack Recipe

  • Almond bark – I’m also sharing some other options at the end of the post.
  • 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.
Overhead view of melted while chocolate in clear bowl with wooden spoon

How to Make Haystacks

1. Melt the chocolate: Follow the instructions on the almond bark package for melting it. You should be able to do this in a large bowl in the microwave. (See FAQ for other options for chocolate.)

Overhead view of chow mein noodles being mixed into melted white chocolate in clear bowl with wooden spoon

2. Mix: Stir the chow mein noodles into the melted bark, so they are completely coated. If the chocolate is hot once you’ve stirred it, let it cool for a couple of minutes so the candy doesn’t melt.

3. Add Candy: Stir in the M&Ms and then drop spoonfuls of the mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. They should look like little haystacks.

Other option: skip the M&Ms and sprinkle them with holiday sprinkles after scooping onto the cookie sheets.

Overhead view of green and red M&Ms being stirred into ingredients in clear bowl with wooden spoon

Chill the haystacks until they are set. Transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

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

Haystack Recipe Variations

This is just a basic recipe that is so easy to switch up to meet your needs. Here are some other ideas:

  • Use chocolate almond bark or melts instead of white chocolate.
  • Add 1/2 cup peanut butter to the melted candy.
  • Use sprinkles instead of M&Ms.
  • Use Reese’s Pieces instead of M&Ms
  • Switch up the colors for any holiday or occasion
Close up side shot of two holiday haystacks stacked on top of eachother with top one cut in half to show inside

Recipe FAQs

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.

Are there are other ways to decorate them? Yep! You can use sprinkles instead of M&Ms, but instead of mixing them into the chocolate, just sprinkle them over the top before the haystacks are set. You can also use any M&M colors you like. Match to the holiday or event!

What if I don’t have a microwave? That’s no problem – the almond bark (or other candy melt you use) should have instructions for melting it on the stove. If it doesn’t, choose one that does!

Are haystacks cookies or candy? Hmmm, I think they’re both! They’re almost like a cross between a no-bake cookie and candy, so I’m going with that!

What’s the best way to store them? Definitely in the refrigerator. That way, the chocolate will stay firm. They will hold at room temperature (as long as it’s not too warm) but for long-term storage, keep them in the fridge. I like to place them in a bag or container with wax paper separating the layers. That way, they won’t stick to each other.

Even when I’m really short on time, I can manage to make a batch of haystacks when I need a last-minute cookie. They’ve saved me a few times during the busy holiday seasons! I hope you give them a try this year – I think you will love them.

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

Holiday Haystack Recipe

5 from 3 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

Ingredients
 

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

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
Close up side shot of two holiday haystacks stacked on top of eachother with recipe title on top of image

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

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5 Comments

  1. 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

  2. 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