These easy no-bake cookies are also known as Haystacks or Chow Mein Noodle cookies. The recipe is at least 60 years old. The difference between the following recipe and the original is the original had 1/2 cup of salted peanuts added to the mix.
The original recipe evoked many childhood memories. I first tasted the Chow Mein Noodle cookies when I was about six years old. My Aunt Nancy would come home from college during Christmas and Spring Break (and years later when she was teaching grade school) and she often made kid-friendly recipes for her nieces and nephews.
Somewhere on the internet, I had seen "nests" made from chow mein noodles, so I concocted my own version. I think these crunchy mounds of goodness don't have to be exclusive for Easter, but also for tea parties and spring luncheons when you just need a sweet little treat. This recipe is easy and almost fool-proof.
Ingredients:
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet chocolate)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
6-8 ounces of crispy chow mein noodles
30-50 jelly beans or Cadbury mini eggs or mini Whoppers Robin Eggs (it can't hurt to have extra just in case a few of the candies accidentally fall into your mouth)
Mix together butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave for at least two minutes. Stir well, and if necessary melt again for another minute. Repeat until fully melted. Add noodles and stir well making sure noodles are fully coated.
Line sheet pan with parchment or wax paper. Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon-size of the noodle mixture and drop it onto the lined sheet pan. See photo for shape. Remember, these are nests and in nature, nests are not perfect. Top each nest with three egg-shaped candies.
Place in fridge to harden quickly, or allow to harden on the counter for a couple hours. Depending on how generously you make the scoops, the recipe makes at least 18-20 cookies.
Happy Eating! Happy Easter!
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