Bird's nest cookies are a classic no-bake treat! Made with butterscotch chips, chow mein noodles, peanuts, and chocolate egg candies---the perfect Easter treat!
You might also like our chocolate peanut butter eggs, our coconut poke cupcakes for Easter or our peeps sugar cookies!
Butterscotch haystacks or bird's nest cookies---call them what you want, they are a classic treat that has been around for decades.
Why I Like This Recipe
- Sweet and salty. These bird's nest cookies are made out of butterscotch chips, peanuts, and dried chow mein noodles. All ingredients can be found at your local grocery store and come together in under 30 minutes!
- Year-round treat. Without the candy on top, they are called butterscotch haystack cookies. With the candy eggs, they are called bird's nest cookies.
- Long shelf life. I first had them at my grandma's house when I was a child. I was putting dishes away for her and found a container full of curious butterscotch treats in the cupboard. I asked her about them, and she said, "Oh! I forgot about those!" Needless to say, these can be stored at room temperature for at least two weeks. I'm glad I was so helpful that day because I might not have discovered these unique cookies!
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Tips and Tricks
- How to melt butterscotch chips. Melt butterscotch chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat for an additional 30 seconds. Continue heating in 10-20 second intervals until melted and smooth. DO NOT OVERHEAT or the butterscotch chips will seize and become hard. Alternatively, you can melt the butterscotch chips in a double boiler.
- Alternate nest ingredients. You can also make bird's nest cookies with pretzel sticks or potato sticks instead of chow mein noodles, but I've only ever made them with chow mein noodles. Just like my grandma's version.
- Storage tips. Store bird's nest cookies in an airtight container for up to two weeks. They also freeze well!
Ingredients
- Butterscotch chips: I prefer butterscotch chips, but you can use chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or a combination of all three varieties!
- Peanuts: I prefer unsalted peanuts, but you can use whatever you'd like.
- Chow mein noodles: These make the perfect base for the nest. You can also use potato sticks or pretzel sticks.
- Candy eggs: Cadbury mini eggs, Reese's pieces eggs, Whopper. Robin eggs, etc.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Butterscotch Bird's Nest Cookies (Haystacks)
Step 1: Melt butterscotch chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat for an additional 30 seconds. Continue heating in 10-20 second intervals until melted and smooth. DO NOT OVERHEAT or the butterscotch chips will seize and become hard. Alternatively, you can melt the butterscotch chips in a double boiler.
Step 2: Stir in peanuts and chow mein noodles.
Step 3: Scoop mixture onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
Step 4: Top each cookie with candy eggs. Allow cookies to set completely.
Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. This recipe makes 20-24 cookies.
Bird's Nest Cookies FAQs
These bird's nest cookies are made out of butterscotch chips, peanuts, and dried chow mein noodles. All ingredients can be found at your local grocery store and come together in under 30 minutes!
Melt butterscotch chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat for an additional 30 seconds. Continue heating in 10-20 second intervals until melted and smooth. DO NOT OVERHEAT or the butterscotch chips will seize and become hard. Alternatively, you can melt the butterscotch chips in a double boiler.
Store bird's nest cookies in an airtight container for up to two weeks. They also freeze well!
More Easter Treats To Make
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Butterscotch Bird's Nest Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 bags of butterscotch chips (11 ounces each)
- 1 cup unsalted peanuts
- 5 ounces chow mein noodles
- candy eggs
Instructions
- Melt butterscotch chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat an additional 30 seconds. Continue heating in 10-20 second intervals until melted and smooth. DO NOT OVERHEAT or the butterscotch chips will seize and become hard. Alternatively, you can melt the butterscotch chips in a double boiler or on the stove over low-medium heat.
- Stir in peanuts and chow mein noodles.
- Scoop onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Top each cookie with candy eggs, pressing down into the melted chocolate (butterscotch) with your thumb.
- Allow cookies to set completely on the counter or in the fridge.
Deb says
Where can I get that cute bunny dish?
Brandy says
I bought it from oriental trading, but it is discontinued. 🙁