Whip up some holiday cheer with these Buddy the Elf Crockpot Haystack Cookies! Sweet, crunchy treats loaded with festive fun – perfect for Christmas movie marathons!

These crockpot Christmas haystacks are perfect for holiday parties, school goodies, or just a fun treat for the whole family.

The best part? You can make them using just a few ingredients in your crock pot—no need to stress over complicated bake recipes this holiday season!

My favorite holiday movie of all time is “Elf” where Buddy travels to New York to find his father. These fun cookies are made to look like the signature pile of spaghetti that Buddy tops with syrup and candy.

For more Elf inspiration check out my free Elf Christmas party printables, our Buddy the Elf inspired Christmas tree, Buddy chocolates or Elf advent calendar.

Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!

Festive holiday treats on parchment paper, topped with red, green, and white candies. A crockpot, striped red and white cloth, and decorative pine and tree ornaments surround the setup on a wooden surface.

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Making festive, Christmas themed treats is one of my favorite things to do during the holidays. This haystack recipe is seriously delicious and totally easy to make in a slow cooker!

Be sure to check out my other fun Christmas themed food like these crockpot peanut clusters, Grinch oreo cake balls or reindeer wafer cookies.

What are Haystacks?

Haystacks are easy cookies that are made of chow mein noodles, chocolate and other common add ins like peanuts, peanut butter, marshmallows and festive sprinkles.

These Buddy the Elf themed haystacks are meant to mimic the iconic spaghetti and candy scene from the movie. When Buddy makes spaghetti for the family and tops it with candy, pop tarts and syrup (just to name a few).

Crockpot Christmas Haystacks

Let me show you how to make these crunchy, sweet stacks of hay, covered in melted chocolate. Plus, I’ll throw in some tips to make sure they turn out perfect every time!

A wooden surface features holiday cookies made with crispy noodles, drizzled with white chocolate, and topped with red, green, and white candies. A red and white striped cloth is in the corner, and pine branches are visible.

Supplies You’ll Need

Crockpot – what I love about using the crockpot is that it has a huge capacity for mixing all of the ingredients and clean up is a breeze!
Cupcake liners – perfect for individual servings.
Large cookie scoop – a large spoon works too!
Parchment paper or wax paper – for easy drop and go clean up.
Airtight container – for leftovers, if there are any!

Ingredients

White chocolate almond bark – white chocolate chips or white candy melts would work too.
Creamy peanut butter – crunchy or all natural are good choices too!
Chow mein noodles – these add the best crunch!
Mini red & green M&Ms – the mini ones work best to give these cookies that iconic spaghetti-look from Elf. Regular M&Ms or sprinkles could be substituted.
Mini marshmallow bites – another nessesity for the perfect look but mini marshmallow work too.
Chocolate almond bark – optional for if you want to add “chocolate syrup” drizzle to the cookies.

Instructions

1. Break up the almond bark and add it and the peanut butter to the crockpot, set it on low for 1 hour.

2. Once the candy melts, give it another stir with a wooden spoon to make sure everything’s well blended.

3. Stir in the chow mein noodles, making sure they’re fully coated in the candy mixture.

4. Use a cookie scoop to drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

5. Top with M&Ms and marshmallow bits.

Tip: at this point you could melt the dark chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and drizzle it over the cookies if you want.

6. Place the baking sheet full of haystacks in the fridge for about an hour to set, and they’re ready to go!

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Haystacks

Peanut butter pro tip: Make sure your peanut butter is at room temperature to help it mix smoothly with the candy melts.
If you’re not feeling the Elf theme, try using chocolate almond bark to make chocolate Christmas haystacks with a holiday twist.
Love butterscotch? Make butterscotch haystacks by swapping the candy melts with butterscotch chips for a tasty change.
For extra texture, mix in some pretzels or nuts with your chow mein noodles.
These haystacks are a hit during Halloween too! Check out our Monster Halloween Haystacks too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute white almond bark with milk or dark chocolate?
Yes, you can swap white almond bark for milk or dark chocolate, though it will change the flavor profile.

White chocolate adds a creamy sweetness, while milk or dark chocolate will make it richer. These white chocolate haystacks also give the noodles that signature “spaghetti” look.

What type of nuts work best in haystacks?
Peanuts are commonly used because they add a nice crunch and pair well with chocolate, but almonds, cashews, or pecans are also great options.

How long do these haystacks need to set?
Typically, they take about 15–30 minutes to set at room temperature. To speed up the process, you can place them in the refrigerator for faster cooling.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Christmas haystacks can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to a week. They’re perfect for preparing ahead of holiday gatherings.

How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing in the crockpot?
Use the “low” setting and avoid stirring too often until the chocolate is fully melted. Over-stirring or cooking on high heat can cause the chocolate to become grainy.

Are these suitable for freezing?
Yes, you can freeze the haystacks in a sealed container for up to three months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

Can I find everything I need at my local grocery store?

Yes! Chow mein noodles, candy melts, and peanut butter are easy to find in most grocery stores. I found that the best deal on almond bark is at Walmart.

What’s the trick to getting the perfect consistency?

The almond bark typically melts perfectly in a crockpot but you can also melt them in a microwave. Stir the mixture every now and then in 30-second increments when melting to make sure nothing clumps. The smoother the mixture, the better the coating for your noodles.

These crockpot Christmas haystacks are such a great recipe for anyone looking for an easy, no-bake dessert that the whole family will love. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday cookie tray, a party, or just want a fun new recipe to try, this one’s a winner.

A wooden table is adorned with holiday treats topped with red, white, and green candies. They sit on parchment paper beside a slow cooker and festive decorations, including a red and white striped towel and a chevron pattern napkin.

And if you’re into holiday baking, these haystacks are versatile enough to bring out last year, this year, or every year! They’re a sweet treat that’s bound to become a family favorite.

More Christmas Favorites

For more sweet Christmas treats, check out these crockpot turtle candies, Christmas Oreo cake balls or white chocolate snowman bark.

If you are looking for a savory option instead, how about this cranberry salsa recipe, Christmas charcuterie board or Christmas tree spinach dip?

Close-up of a cookie made with crispy noodles and coated in white chocolate, topped with red, green, and white candies. A red-striped cloth is visible in the background. Text reads Buddy the Elf Crockpot Cookies homemadeheather.com.

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