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White Chocolate Haystacks

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.

Pile of white chocolate candy haystacks with pretzels and peanuts.

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.

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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!

Close up white chocolate candy with pretzels sticks and peanuts resting on wax paper.

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.

What’s Needed To Make Candy With White Chocolate

  • White Almond Bark – Through testing we find this type of white chocolate melts the easiest.
  • Peanuts – We like salted cocktail peanuts, but unsalted works fine too.
  • Pretzel Sticks – These are the easiest type of pretzel to break into pieces and get a uniform look from the candies.
Ingredients to make white chocolate candy are pretzel sticks, peanuts and almond bark on a wooden counter top.

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.

White chocolate covered pretzel sticks with a little peanut butter dropped onto a waxed paper lined baking sheet to 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.

Almond bark in crock pot melting with peanuts.

Add broken pretzel sticks in a fairly even layer over the top.

Pretzels sprinkled on almond bark and peanuts in crock pot.

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.

Crock pot haystacks with melting white chocolate.

Cover and cook for an additional 10 – 20 minutes. Stir again to ensure the chocolate is all warm and melted.

Close up of homemade haystacks in a slow cooker for Christmas candy.

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.

Homemade candy with white chocolate dropped onto a waxed paper lined baking sheet.

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!

Microwave Variation of White Chocolate Candy

Use as large of a microwave safe dish as will fit in your microwave and safely rotate while melting.

Using your hands or butter knife carefully break apart the squares of white almond bark. Smaller pieces of chocolate melt faster.

Spread out into a single even layer in the bottom of the dish. Follow the directions on the package to melt chocolate.

Stir often until almond bark is smooth. Then quickly stir in pretzel pieces and peanuts. Drop onto a wax paper covered baking sheet or flat surface and allow to set up.

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!

best candy with white chocolate, peanuts and pretzels

White Chocolate Haystacks

Servings 50 haystacks
Author: Jennifer
A combination of sweet and salty this easy White Chocolate Haystacks candy can be made in the crock pot, stove top or microwave.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 68mgPotassium: 84mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian or nutrition professional. Any nutritional information shared is an estimate and can vary greatly depending on specific products are used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator of your choice.

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6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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!

  2. If you have a family member allergic to almonds what else could I use besides the Almond bark?

    1. Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life says:

      Hello! You’ll want to be sure and read the ingredient list, but almond bark is not typically made with nut products. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

  3. Can I do this in a microwave?

    1. Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life says:

      Yes! Just be sure to stir often to avoid burning the chocolate. Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Jean carroll says:

    5 stars
    This was super easy and very good. Hubby loved it. Will make again

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