Healthier Haystack Cookies

Haystack Cookies are a simple no-bake treat made by mixing noodles or pretzels with a luscious combination of melted chocolate (and sometimes other additions like marshmallows, peanut butter, shredded coconut, and more) for mounds of chocolatey goodness that set up firm and crunchy.

They are a tempting treat you can serve for parties, or at your next bake sale or use for gifts for friends and family.

For many centuries before modern farm equipment could create bales, hay was cut and stacked before being moved to the barn to store for the winter.

Sweet and crunchy haystacks earn their name because when pieces of pretzel sticks or crispy noodles are used along with one or two other ingredients they pile up to resemble miniature stacks of hay.

But the original recipes for haystacks contain butter and a ton of sugar (2 cups of sugar). Yes you read that right – 2 whole cups.That is just not acceptable any more in these days of us being more aware of what we put in our bodies.

This recipe is the new and improved version of the classic no-bake treat you remember from the 80s and 90s. It’s a lighter (yet just as tasty) version.

Overhauling and ‘healthifying’ this recipe was one of the easiest things I have done.  The loads of refined sugar has gone, coconut oil replaces butter and oil, and oats and hemp seeds subbed in to help make them a bit healthier but just as tasty!

The good news about Haystack Cookies is though they are dense in calories, they are quite small, 2-4 bite-sized – so if you can stick to just 1-2, they can fit easily into a healthy diet. All cookies can, actually! I mean, do you really want a life without cookies?

MY goal is to always enjoy the things and foods we love. That’s what life is all about, right?

If you don’t fancy yourself an amazing baker, this is an ideal recipe, as the cookies require zero oven time and just a few ingredients, some of which you may already have in your pantry.

This recipe serves as a perfect base for a traditional haystacks version, but feel free to get creative and create your own masterpiece. Consider these variation ideas for a unique spin on this crowd-pleasing recipe:

Chocolate: Melted to bind the haystack mixture, while helping them set up firm after chilling. Opt for semi-sweet chocolate chips, or swap with milk, or dark chocolate varieties.

Peanut butter: Adds a rich nuttiness to the cookies and binds the mixture along with the melted chocolate. You can use any nut or seed butter, including almond, cashew or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. You can even use Nutella for a double dose of chocolatey goodness.

Mix-ins: Fold in crushed cookies, pretzel sticks, graham crackers, favourite cereal, dried fruit, mini marshmallows, nuts or shredded coconut for a crunchy, crispy base.

Toppings: Top the haystacks with an additional drizzle of melted (white or dark) chocolate or candy melts, festive sprinkles, colorful candies, or crushed nuts.

You can make these bad boys into nests for mini chocolate eggs for Easter, add in holiday treats for Christmas, or of course you can just make them into little mounds and eat them all year long.

Now THAT’S my kind of cookie.

 

 

 

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword clean eating dessert or snack, heakthy haystack cookies, healthier haystack cookes, no bake haystacks cookies

Servings 20

Ingredients

• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 cup crispy Chow Mein noodles or pretzels
• 1/2 cup salted peanuts
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/2 cup oats, instant or quick
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon hemp or chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Sprinkles optional

Instructions

• Prepare a cookie sheet by covering with parchment paper, wax paper, or use a non-stick or silicon baking mat; set aside.

  Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave at 50% power with 30 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.

  Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.

  In a large bowl, mix well to combine the melted chocolate and coconut oil, Chow Mein noodles, peanuts, coconut, oats, hemp seeds and vanilla extract.

  Dollop the mixture in 1-2 tablespoon mounds onto the lined cookie sheet. Work quickly as the chocolate will be cooling and setting. Makes about 20 cookies depending on your size preference.

  Sprinkle with optional sprinkles.

  Place the cookie sheet in the fridge for several hours or into the freezer for 30 minutes to allow the cookies to set.

  Store cookies in an airtight container in the fridge.

   

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If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites