Easter Haystack Cookies (Bird’s Nest Cookies) Recipe

Easter Haystack Cookies | No Bake!

Easter is the perfect excuse to whip up something sweet, simple, and festive—like these adorable Easter Haystack Cookies (Bird’s Nest Cookies)! This easy, no bake treat is perfect for celebrating the season with your kids, your guests, or just a quiet afternoon at home. Made with crunchy noodles, melted butterscotch chips, and colorful candy eggs, these cookies come together in minutes and are as cute as they are delicious.

No Bake Easter Haystack Cookies (Bird’s Nest Treats) | These adorable no bake Easter haystack cookies are the perfect springtime treat! Made with chow mein noodles, melted chips, and candy eggs—fun and easy for kids to help make.

What are Haystack Cookies?

Haystack cookies became popular in the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1950s and 60s, when convenience cooking really took off in American households. This was the era of Jell-O molds, casseroles, and “no bake” desserts—all aimed at saving time while still creating fun, family-friendly recipes.

The haystack cookie fit right in:

• Minimal ingredients (often pantry staples)
• No oven needed
• Quick to assemble
• Kid-friendly and great for holidays or bake sales

They likely gained traction through church cookbooks, community recipe swaps, and women’s magazines, where variations started popping up with different flavor combos—like butterscotch haystacks, peanut butter haystacks, and seasonal versions like Easter bird’s nests.

Easy Bird’s Nest Cookies for Easter (No Bake Recipe) | Make these sweet and simple bird’s nest cookies for your Easter celebration. A no bake recipe that’s kid-friendly, festive, and ready in minutes!

Tips for Making Haystack Cookies (Bird’s Nest Edition)

1. Use fresh, crunchy noodles or mix-ins.
Whether you’re using chow mein noodles, pretzels, or cornflakes, make sure they’re fresh and crisp. Stale mix-ins can make your haystacks chewy instead of crunchy.

2. Melt chips low and slow.
Use a double boiler or low heat on the stovetop (or microwave in 20-second intervals) to melt your chocolate or butterscotch chips. Stir frequently to avoid burning.

3. Work quickly.
Once your mixture is combined, start scooping right away. The coating sets fast, especially in cooler temps.

4. Use parchment or wax paper.
Drop your haystacks onto a lined surface for easy cleanup and perfect release once they’re set.

5. Press in candy eggs before they harden.
If you’re making bird’s nests, add the candy eggs right after shaping while the coating is still a bit soft so they stick securely.

6. Store in a cool, dry place.
Keep haystacks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Easter Bird’s Nest Cookies – Fun No Bake Dessert | Celebrate Easter with this fun no bake dessert! Bird’s nest cookies are crunchy, chocolatey, and topped with candy eggs. Perfect for spring parties and Easter baskets.

Fun Haystack Cookie Variations

Once you’ve mastered the classic haystack cookie, it’s easy (and fun!) to switch things up. Here are some creative ways to customize this no-bake treat for every season and craving:

Chocolate Lover’s Haystacks
Melt milk or dark chocolate chips and mix in mini marshmallows or shredded coconut. Classic and totally crave-worthy.

Peanut Butter Twist
Swap in peanut butter chips or mix peanut butter into white chocolate for a sweet-and-salty combo. Add a chocolate drizzle for Reese’s vibes!

Spooky Halloween Stacks
Try dark chocolate with orange and purple sprinkles, or press in candy eyeballs for a fun, spooky surprise.

Snowy Winter Stacks
White chocolate + coconut = instant snowy vibes! Add a sprinkle of crushed peppermint for extra holiday cheer.

Valentine’s Day Haystacks
Tint white chocolate pink and top with heart sprinkles or conversation hearts. These are super cute for class parties or lunchbox treats.

Pretzel Haystacks
Swap chow mein for broken pretzel sticks and sprinkle with sea salt for a salty-sweet twist. So addictive!

Kid-Friendly No Bake Easter Cookies (Bird’s Nests) | Looking for an easy Easter recipe for kids? Try these no bake bird’s nest cookies! Just 3 ingredients and so much fun to decorate together.

Continue to Content

Easter Haystack Cookies (Bird's Nest Cookies) Recipe

Yield: 9-12 cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Cooling Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Try this adorable no bake Easter cookie recipe! Bird’s nest cookies are made with chow mein noodles and topped with candy eggs for a festive finish.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups chow mein noodles

Instructions

1. In a saucepan over low heat, melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter together, stirring until smooth and fully combined.
   
2. Remove from heat and gently fold in chow mein noodles (and any optional mix-ins).
3. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto wax paper or parchment paper.
4. Let cool at room temperature until set (about 30 minutes), or chill in the fridge to speed up the process.
5. For Easter, press 2–3 candy eggs into the center while still soft to make bird’s nests!

Notes

• These cookies set best at room temperature, but you can refrigerate them for quicker firming.
• To make bird’s nest-style haystacks, press 2–3 candy eggs into the center of each cookie while still soft.
• Feel free to experiment with different chip flavors—milk chocolate, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips all work great.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 184Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 173mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 3g