Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe with Chow Mein Noodles - Savory Tooth (2024)

Updated Published Apr 5, 2017 By Julia 23 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links.

Summary:

Only three ingredients are needed to make this super fast and easy treat that is perfect for gift-giving. This no-bake recipe can be made by anyone, including kids. No precision needed.

Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe with Chow Mein Noodles - Savory Tooth (1)

Butterscotch Haystacks

5 from 7 votes

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Prep: 20 minutes mins

Chill: 30 minutes mins

Yield: 36 servings

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Coat Noodles: Combine chow mein noodles and peanuts in large bowl, mixing them together. Melt butterscotch chips in separate bowl in microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between bursts, until melted. Use rubber spatula to scoop melted butterscotch over noodles and peanuts. Mix until noodles are coated.

  • Form Haystacks: Use tablespoon measure to scoop out noodles onto wax paper, forming single haystack. Repeat until noodles are used up.

  • Chill & Serve: Refrigerate until haystacks are hardened, about 30 minutes. Serve, and store leftovers (Note 4).

NUTRITION

Makes 36 Servings
Amount Per Serving (1 Haystack):
Calories 80 (50% from fat)
Total Fat 5g7%
Saturated Fat 3g13%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 60mg2%
Net Carb 9g
Total Carb 9.5g3%
Dietary Fiber 0.5g1%
Sugars 6g
Protein 1g

Vitamin A 0% · Vitamin C 0% · Calcium 0% · Iron 2%

PHOTOS

Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe with Chow Mein Noodles - Savory Tooth (2)

Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe with Chow Mein Noodles - Savory Tooth (3)

Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe with Chow Mein Noodles - Savory Tooth (4)

Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe with Chow Mein Noodles - Savory Tooth (5)

Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe with Chow Mein Noodles - Savory Tooth (6)


NOTES & TIPS

(1) Butterscotch Chips. Equivalent to about 1.75 cups.

(2) Chow Mein Noodles. Equivalent to about 3.5 cups. I use the brand La Choy. Make sure that you buy the right kind ofchow mein noodles; they are typically found in the Asian aisle of the supermarket, and are short cooked “noodles” that taste light and crunchy. They’re more akin to a snack item or salad topping than the noodles used in actual chow mein dishes.

(3) Chopped Peanuts. This can be substituted with other chopped nuts such as cashews.

(4) Storage. Once the butterscotch haystacks are set (hardened), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer-term storage, store them in a resealable bag in the freezer.

Beef Jerky
Almond Flour Crackers
Parmesan Crisps
Candied Pecans

About Julia

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julia is a recipe developer and the founder of Savory Tooth, and lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Since 2015, she has been sharing simple recipes for tasty dishes in a user-friendly format. She typically prefers savory foods over sweet, hence the name of the site. Contact her at julia@savorytooth.null.com.

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newest oldest most voted

Vickie

Instead of Chow Mein noodles, I use French’s Potato Sticks. Love the combo.

Vote Up6Vote Down Reply

4 years ago

Nicolette

We add marshmallows and peanut butter in ours. Make them every Christmas.

Vote Up4Vote Down Reply

2 years ago

Jamie

Are the peanuts salted? As a kid we just mixed the butterscotch chips and chow mein noodles. They sound delicious with peanuts!

Vote Up4Vote Down Reply

3 years ago

JMc

My mom always used unsalted of course we had to shuck them! Now buy a jar lol
Also we did not chop the peanuts ….these are delicious.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

2 years ago

Kathy Brown

I have lost my recipe but instead of nuts we used peanut butter but I can’t remember can’t remember how much peanut butter. Any one use peanut butter (rather crunchy or smooth).

Vote Up4Vote Down Reply

4 years ago

Ginny Olson Drevlow

1/2 c

Vote Up2Vote Down Reply

2 years ago

Jackie

Ok. I’ve a twist on this. Get a can of cream cheese ICING. 12 oz jar pnut butter. Dump both in bowl. Microwave 2 minutes. Stir. Mix in chow mein noodles. Spoon onto parchment paper

Vote Up4Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Lori Martine

How many stacks does it make?? Sounds like a lot.

Vote Up-2Vote Down Reply

4 years ago

Holly

How many does this make and can you freeze these?

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

2 years ago

Chris

I am looking forward to trying this recipe. hope it turns out to be like the one I enjoyed in the 1950’s

Vote Up4Vote Down Reply

5 years ago

Gina

I always add peanut butter to my butterscotch chips to make it smoother. I have made these for years.

Vote Up3Vote Down Reply

3 years ago

Mary Ann

How much peanut butter do you add?

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

3 months ago

Brittany

Can I freeze these?

Vote Up2Vote Down Reply

4 years ago

Julia

Absolutely, they freeze very well. You can make these haystacks well in advance, and once they’ve hardened, store them in a freezer bag for about 1 month.

Vote Up3Vote Down Reply

4 years ago

Emily

Woow this is the wonderful recipe. so delicious to taste

Vote Up1Vote Down Reply

6 years ago

Patti T.

My father used to make these every year at Christmas time. Yummy and so easy!

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

2 months ago

Michelle

I used pumpkin spice chips and ancho chile powder, walnuts

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

1 year ago

Luanne

Can the La Choy Asian-style crunchy noodles be used instead of strictly chow mein noodles?

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

1 year ago

Julia

Yes, those should work!

Vote Up-1Vote Down Reply

1 year ago

Gretchen

These are fabulous! I substituted creamy peanut butter and returned to my teenage years when I discovered this yummy treat.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

3 years ago

Victoria

How long do these last out at room temp?

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

4 years ago

Julia

Once the butterscotch haystacks are set (hardened), you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container, where they should keep for at least a couple of days. If you store them in the refrigerator, they will last much longer.

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

4 years ago

Janet

Do they freeze well?

Vote Up0Vote Down Reply

4 years ago

Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe with Chow Mein Noodles - Savory Tooth (2024)

FAQs

What are butterscotch haystacks made of? ›

ingredients
  • 2 cups butterscotch chips.
  • 1 cup peanut butter.
  • 3 cups mini marshmallows.
  • 4 cups chow mein noodles.

What is difference between lo mein and chow mein? ›

The sauce: Chow mein is more of a dry noodle dish with an extremely light and delicate sauce — if any sauce at all. Lo mein is a saucy noodle dish that depends on a rich sauce for much of its flavor. The texture: Chow mein noodles tend to be crunchier than lo mein noodles due to the way they are cooked.

What is chow mein sauce made of? ›

Combine soy sauce, light sesame oil, oyster sauce, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and chicken broth to make the signature sweet and savory sauce that makes chow mein taste authentic.

What are haystacks candy made of? ›

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer. This easy, crunchy haystacks candy takes just minutes to make using chow mein noodles, peanuts, and butterscotch chips.

What is the main ingredient in butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch is a type of confectionery whose primary ingredients are brown sugar and butter. Some recipes include corn syrup, cream, vanilla, and salt. The earliest known recipes, in mid-19th century Yorkshire, used treacle (molasses) in place of, or in addition to, sugar.

What is the difference between Carmel and butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch vs Caramel

The difference between butterscotch and caramel is that caramel is made with white granulated sugar and cooked to 340 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas butterscotch is made with brown sugar and cooked to 289 degrees Fahrenheit.

What tastes better lo mein or chow mein? ›

Largely this is a matter of personal taste since both dishes can be made to your preference. If you prefer lightly sauced noodles with some crunch and vegetables with some snap, chow mein might be the way to go. If you like a more comforting noodle with richly flavored sauce, lo mein may be the better option.

What kind of noodles are used in chow mein? ›

Chow mein noodles are typically made from wheat flour and eggs. They can be found fresh or dried in Asian markets and some grocery stores. If you can't find chow mein noodles, you can substitute them with ramen noodles or other long noodles, even thin spaghetti noodles.

Which is healthier lo mein or chow mein? ›

From a nutritional standpoint, lo mein is better than chow mein, hands down. "Lo mein would be considered more nutritious because the noodles are not fried and there is less oil used in the cooking," Jaelin says. "Lo mein has less than half the calories and fat found in chow mein.

What is the difference between Chinese noodles and chow mein? ›

Noodles are simply strands or ribbons of a flour/water dough, sometimes with other things like eggs or milk added. Chow mein is a dish that is prepared with particular types of noodles, stir-fried with various ingredients. It's a main dish that includes protein and vegetables, not just carbohydrates.

What is the brown sauce in Chinese food called? ›

There are many Chinese sauces that are brown just a few most common, soy sause, oyster sauce, sweet bean, Hoisin

Why does chow mein taste so good? ›

The sauce is what gives chow mein all of its seasoning and addictive flavors. It's a mix of oyster sauce, sweet soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and freshly ground black pepper. It's full of sweet and savory umami and seriously SO good.

How do you make a traditional haystack? ›

The Romanian-style haystack is made by stacking dried grass hay upon a bed of branches (4 pallets would work), around a very tall, central pole, which is braced with a tri-pod, and then the hay is stacked very high. The outside of the stack is then raked with a hayrake, to form a thatched outer shell.

Can you substitute peanut butter chips for butterscotch chips? ›

Can I substitute the butterscotch chips for peanut butter chips? Sure! Technically they won't be scotcharoos without the butterscotch, but they'll still be delicious.

How many calories in a butterscotch haystack? ›

Steps to Make It
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
67Calories
4gFat
6gCarbs
1gProtein
May 21, 2021

What is butterscotch flavor made from? ›

The flavor of butterscotch is characterized by a mixture of browned butter, caramelized sugar + molasses (or dark brown sugar in modern versions) and salt.

What are the components of the butterscotch flavor? ›

A traditional butterscotch sauce recipe requires only three main ingredients: brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. That's it! We also add in a little vanilla and salt to boost the flavor. If you only have salted butter, you can use it instead.

What are the crunchy balls in butterscotch ice cream? ›

The crunchy thing is hardened corn syrup, sugar and other ingredient made under high temperature, rather than caramel-coated cashew or almonds.

What is butterscotch cake made of? ›

This butterscotch cake is made with moist and tender brown sugar cake layers, homemade butterscotch sauce, and topped and filled with butterscotch buttercream. This cake is topped with more butterscotch sauce and is smoothed out with a spatula creating a marble design.

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