What are white chocolate haystacks?

White chocolate haystacks are a simple no-bake holiday treat made from crunchy noodles or mini pretzels coated in melted white chocolate. Once shaped into small mounds and cooled, they become crisp clusters with a creamy, sweet flavor. The texture is what makes these no-bake white chocolate clusters so addictive — smooth coating outside, airy crunch inside.

What are the two-ingredient haystacks?

Two-ingredient haystacks skip extras like nuts or fruit. You only need white chocolate and chow-mein noodles. Melt the chocolate, fold in noodles, scoop, and set. They’re the easiest holiday candy recipe for beginners and a great base if you want to experiment with flavors later.

What is the best chocolate-to-noodle ratio for haystacks?

A reliable balance is one cup melted white chocolate to two cups noodles or pretzels. This 1:2 ratio coats evenly without making the clusters heavy. If you prefer thinner coverage, extend to 1:2½; for a thicker, more candy-bar feel, shorten to 1:1½. Keeping the ratio consistent gives you perfect white chocolate haystacks every time.

What are haystacks traditionally made of?

Classic haystacks used butterscotch chips or milk chocolate melted over chow-mein noodles. Some versions included peanut butter or peanuts. Modern bakers use white chocolate for a snowy holiday look and a milder, creamier taste. You’ll also see these treats listed as chow mein noodle cookies or no-bake candy clusters in vintage cookbooks.

How do you keep haystacks from getting sticky?

Moisture is the main culprit. Always start with dry noodles, avoid adding too much oil, and let the clusters set at room temperature before covering. If humidity is high, chill them briefly then store in airtight tins with parchment between layers. Proper handling keeps white chocolate haystacks shiny and crisp instead of sticky.

What is haystack chocolate?

The phrase simply refers to the melted chocolate coating — white, milk, or dark — used to bind crunchy ingredients together. For this recipe, it’s smooth, sweet white chocolate that sets into a firm shell. The coating is what gives these no-bake white chocolate clusters their structure and shine.

Easy White Chocolate Haystacks (10-Minute No-Bake Treats)

Description

Creamy, crunchy, and perfectly sweet, these white chocolate haystacks come together in ten minutes with just a few pantry ingredients. A no-bake holiday treat that’s ideal for dessert boards, gifting, and last-minute entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

Base:

1 cup (170 g) white chocolate chips or premium melting wafers
½ teaspoon neutral oil or coconut oil (optional, for smoother melting)
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of fine sea salt

Crunch Mix:

2 cups chow-mein noodles or mini pretzel sticks (broken into 1-inch pieces)
¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped
¼ cup pecans or almonds, finely chopped

Optional Decoration:

Extra melted white chocolate for drizzling
Holiday sprinkles, gold dust, or crushed nuts for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare ingredients
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Measure all mix-ins before melting the chocolate so the process moves quickly. Keep noodles sealed until ready to use to maintain crunch.
Melt the chocolate
Place white chocolate in a clean, dry microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 50% power for 25 seconds, stir, and repeat until almost melted. Remove and let residual heat finish the job. For stovetop melting, use a double boiler and stir constantly. If chocolate thickens, add ½ teaspoon oil.
Add flavor
Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. This step balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor of your white chocolate base.
Combine the crunch
Pour the chow-mein noodles or pretzel pieces into the melted chocolate. Fold gently from the center outward until every strand glistens. Add cranberries and nuts, folding lightly so they stay visible.
Scoop and shape
Drop tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. For nest-style shapes, press lightly in the center with the back of the spoon. Keep spacing about an inch between clusters.
Set and cool
Let the white chocolate haystacks set at room temperature for 30 minutes. If the room is warm, refrigerate for 8–10 minutes until firm. The surface should be matte and dry to the touch.
Finish and serve
Drizzle with leftover melted chocolate or sprinkle with decorations. Transfer to an airtight container once fully set.

Notes

No-Bake Shortcut: These candies set naturally—no oven, no thermometer.
Storage: Store at room temperature for up to 10 days, or freeze for one month.
Texture Tip: Overmixing can crush the noodles; fold gently to keep the airy crunch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooling/Setting Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert / Candy
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cluster
Calories: 95 kcal
Sugar: 9 g
Sodium: 45 mg
Fat: 4.6 g
Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Protein: 1.3 g
Cholesterol: 1 mg