Holiday Haystacks Recipe

This Holiday Haystacks Recipe is a crunchy and festive no-bake treat, which uses crispy chow mein noodles and a rich blend of semisweet and milk chocolate. It’s a quick and easy holiday dessert, ready to serve once set, making it perfect for last-minute gifting.

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Holiday Haystacks Ingredients

The Chocolate Coating:

• 1 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Provides a deep, rich cocoa flavor that isn’t too sweet.
• 1 cup Milk Chocolate Chips: Adds a creamy, dairy sweetness and gloss to the coating. Using a blend of both chocolates creates the perfect balance.

The Crunch:

• 3 cups Chow Mein Noodles: The defining ingredient. These savory, fried noodles provide the signature “haystack” look and a satisfying salty crunch.
• 1/2 cup Roughly Chopped Almonds: Adds a nutty depth and extra texture.
• 1/2 cup Shelled Pistachios: These add a premium crunch and a pop of festive green color that looks beautiful against the dark chocolate.

The Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons Assorted Holiday Sprinkles: The finishing touch that turns these into a celebration-ready sweet.

How To Make Holiday Haystacks

1. Set Up a Double Boiler: Heat 2 inches of water in a pot to a simmer. Place a heat-proof bowl over the pot (ensure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Add the semisweet and milk chocolate chips to the bowl.
2. Melt the Chocolate: Allow the chocolate to melt, stirring occasionally with a spatula, for 4 to 5 minutes until completely smooth and glossy.
3. Prepare the Dry Mix: Meanwhile, in a separate large bowl, combine the chow mein noodles, chopped almonds, and shelled pistachios. Set this aside.
4. Coat the Mixture: Once the chocolate has melted completely, carefully pour it over the noodle and nut mixture.
5. Mix Gently: Mix until every noodle and nut is well coated in the melted chocolate. Be gentle to avoid crushing the noodles into dust.
6. Form the Haystacks: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using two spoons, drop tablespoon-sized mounds of the mixture onto the sheets.
7. Decorate: Immediately sprinkle the holiday sprinkles over the tops while the chocolate is still wet.
8. Let Set: Allow the haystacks to dry completely at room temperature, which takes about 1 hour. You can place them in the refrigerator to speed up the process.

Recipe Tips

• Avoid “Seizing” the Chocolate: Be extremely careful not to let a single drop of water get into the melting chocolate bowl (from steam or wet utensils). Water will cause the chocolate to instantly clump up and become unworkable.
• Microwave Alternative: If you don’t want to use a double boiler, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring vigorously in between, until smooth.
• Gluten-Free Option: Standard chow mein noodles are wheat-based. To make this gluten-free, look for specific gluten-free crunchy rice noodles or use gluten-free pretzel sticks broken into pieces.
• Portion Speed: Work relatively quickly once the chocolate is mixed. If the chocolate starts to cool and harden in the bowl, it becomes difficult to form cohesive mounds.

What To Serve With Holiday Haystacks

• Hot Cocoa: A creamy drink complements the crunchy texture.
• Fruit Platter: Fresh berries or orange slices cut the richness of the chocolate.
• Salty Snacks: Serve alongside pretzels or popcorn for a sweet-and-salty board.
• Coffee: The dark chocolate notes pair well with a dark roast.

How To Store Holiday Haystacks

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks. If your kitchen is warm, the chocolate may bloom (turn gray) or melt.
• Refrigerator: These store excellently in the fridge for up to a month and taste great cold.
• Freezing: You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating.

Holiday Haystacks Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 160 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 9g
• Protein: 3g
• Sugar: 12g

Nutrition information is estimated per haystack.

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