A combination of sweet and salty this easy White Chocolate Haystacks candy can be made in the crock pot, stove top or microwave.
Only three simple ingredients make these candy drops that are fun to make with kids and add to a holiday cookie tray or give as a gift.
White Chocolate Candy with Peanuts & Pretzels
Like white chocolate dipped pretzels with a little more flair, the peanuts add more flavor to this haystack candy.
A similar recipe that also tastes great and adds crispy rice cereal is our Almond Bark Specials. Whatever is added should to the chocolate should be no more than half of the amount of pretzels, or 1 1/4 cups.
The first crock pot candy recipe I made was Crock Pot Peanut Clusters. The biggest surprise was how easy it is to melt chocolate in the crock pot.
Using a crock pot to melt candy takes more total time, but it is hands off time. No standing, watching and constantly stirring is necessary! Just set a timer and stir once or twice. This slow cooker haystack recipe is super easy to make!
When the chocolate is melted use a cookie scoop or spoon of your choice to drop onto wax paper. I like how easy it is to make a lot of small haystacks or a few bigger ones.
I love to make a Christmas cookie tray with our Farmhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies, Devil’s Food Cake Mix Cookies, and these amazing Sour Cream Cookies. Then some easy crock pot candy or Peanut Butter Balls.
Why Are They Called Haystacks?
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.
When pieces of pretzels sticks are used along with one or two other fillers they can pile up to look like stacks of hay. Use twice as many pretzels in volume as any other fillers (like nuts or Rice Krispies) combined.
Too much melted chocolate in proportion to filler will flatten out instead of looking like a stack as they set up.
If you like this sweet and salty combination you may also enjoy these easy Pretzel Hugs.
Tips & Tricks
- Broken pretzels may be substituted for chow mein noodles
- While we like peanuts best, but almonds or cashews may be used
- Size of candy is easily adjustable by using a smaller or larger spoon
- Add colorful sprinkles to fit any occasion like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter or the 4th of July
- Peanuts can be decreased by 1/3 to 1/2 cup and replaced with coconut
- Melted chocolate mixture may be spread into an even, thin layer on a waxed paper lined baking sheet and broken into pieces when firm
- White candy coating or almond bark work fine. White chocolate chips also work and will melt a bit more quickly.
How to Make Haystacks in the Crock Pot
In a crock pot with a liner or generous coating of non-stick cooking spray add chunks of broken almond bark or white candy coating.
Lightly chop peanuts and pour over white chocolate chunks.
Add broken pretzel sticks in a fairly even layer over the top.
Cover crock and turn to high. Stir after 30 minutes of cooking.
Continue to monitor chocolate because different sizes, brands and types of slow cookers will melt the chocolate at different rates.
Most of my chocolate is ready in about 30 minutes on high or about 45 minutes on low.
Stir well.
Cover and cook for an additional 10 – 20 minutes. Stir again to ensure the chocolate is all warm and melted.
Use a tablespoon, teaspoon, or cookie scoop of your choice. Drop pieces of candy on a piece of waxed paper.
I like to place waxed paper on a baking sheet to make it easier to move to a cool place. In the refrigerator or garage the candy will set up a bit more quickly.
Store candy in a self sealing bag or container for up to two weeks. In warm environments store candy in the refrigerator to help keep firm and fresh.
Enjoy!
More Easy Christmas Treat Ideas:
Christmas Chex Mix is one the kids always enjoy making and snacking on!
Farmhouse Fudge is a simple recipe that I made so many times with my grandma for gifts to neighbors.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge is soft and creamy with a rich peanut butter flavor and a hint of chocolate.
Peanut Clusters with Peanut Butter Chips from my friend Cooking with Carlee look like another variation of candy that would be fun to try!
Simple Coconut Sour Cream Cake starts with a box mix, but simple ingredients make it so moist and flavorful!
White Chocolate Haystacks
Ingredients
- 2 pounds white almond bark
- 1 1/4 cup salted peanuts
- 2 1/2 cups pretzel sticks broken into pieces
Instructions
- Line a crock pot or coat well with non-stick spray.
- Break pieces of almond bark up and spread out over the bottom of the crock.
- Crush or chop peanuts to medium-sized pieces and break pretzel sticks into small pieces. Sprinkle over white chocolate pieces.
- Place lid on crock and set to high. Stir after 30 minutes.
- Chocolate should be fully melted in another 10 – 20 minutes. Stir well and drop stacks onto waxed paper to cool.
Equipment
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It is nice to have a few easy recipes like this to help round out the holiday treat making menu. I think I’ll make these instead of dipping individual pretzels this year to save some time and effort!