Imagine biting into a delightful Caramel Cashew Haystack, where the crunch of chow mein noodles meets the creamy sweetness of white chocolate, all perfectly balanced with the rich taste of caramel and the salty kick of cashews. This unique treat is not just a dessert; it’s an experience of contrasting textures and flavors that blend harmoniously in every bite.
Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a special treat for yourself, these Caramel Cashew Haystacks are incredibly easy to make and even easier to love. Whether you’re a fan of sweet, salty, or a bit of both, these little bites of heaven are sure to satisfy your cravings and impress your guests with their delightful combination of flavors and textures.
Table of contents
Caramel Cashew Haystacks
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups chow mein noodles
- 1 1/4 cups salted cashews
- 16 ounces white chocolate candy coating
- 3/4 cup caramel bits
Instructions:
- Begin by chopping the white chocolate candy coating into coarse pieces. Then, place these pieces into a large bowl that’s safe for microwave use. Melt the chocolate in the microwave, ensuring to stir it every 30 seconds, until it’s completely smooth and melted.
- Next, add the chow mein noodles, salted cashews, and caramel bits into the bowl with the melted white chocolate. Stir the mixture thoroughly, ensuring that the noodles, cashews, and caramel bits are evenly coated with the chocolate.
- Using a spoon, scoop out portions of the mixture and place them onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Aim for evenly sized spoonfuls to ensure consistent cooking.
- For a final touch, you can add sprinkles or any other decorations of your choice to the haystacks while the chocolate is still warm.
[adsforwp id=”9269″]
Caramel Cashew Haystacks FAQS
Haystacks candy typically consists of chow mein noodles and peanuts or cashews, coated with melted chocolate or butterscotch. The mixture is dropped by spoonfuls onto wax paper to set, forming a haystack-like shape. Variations may include different types of nuts, chocolate, or additional ingredients like marshmallows or dried fruit.
Butterscotch haystacks are made using chow mein noodles and peanuts or cashews, coated with melted butterscotch chips. The butterscotch provides a sweet, buttery flavor that complements the salty crunch of the noodles and nuts. Like other haystacks, they are formed by dropping spoonfuls of the mixture onto wax paper to cool and harden.
The main difference between caramel and butterscotch lies in their ingredients and preparation. Caramel is made by heating sugar until it browns and liquefies, often with the addition of butter and cream after the sugar has caramelized. Butterscotch, on the other hand, is made by cooking brown sugar with butter, and sometimes a splash of cream or vanilla. The brown sugar in butterscotch gives it a deeper, molasses-like flavor compared to the more neutral sweetness of caramel.
The name “butterscotch” is believed to originate from the primary ingredients used in its creation – butter and scotch, which is an old term for sugar. The term “scotch” in this context may also refer to the process of “scotching” or cutting the sugar mixture while it’s hot to form individual candies. However, the exact origin of the name is not definitively known and remains a subject of culinary folklore.
[adsforwp id=”9269″]
Print
Caramel Cashew Haystacks
Just whipped up these Caramel Cashew Haystacks – the perfect mix of sweet and salty in every bite! ????????
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 36 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups chow mein noodles
- 1 1/4 cups salted cashews
- 16 ounces white chocolate candy coating
- 3/4 cup caramel bits
Instructions
- Begin by chopping the white chocolate candy coating into coarse pieces.
- Then, place these pieces into a large bowl that’s safe for microwave use.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave, ensuring to stir it every 30 seconds, until it’s completely smooth and melted.
- Next, add the chow mein noodles, salted cashews, and caramel bits into the bowl with the melted white chocolate.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly, ensuring that the noodles, cashews, and caramel bits are evenly coated with the chocolate.
- Using a spoon, scoop out portions of the mixture and place them onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
- Aim for evenly sized spoonfuls to ensure consistent cooking.
- For a final touch, you can add sprinkles or any other decorations of your choice to the haystacks while the chocolate is still warm.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes