Introduction: Scrumptious Peanut Butter-Scotch (no-bake) Haystacks A.k.a. Edible Instant Pick-Me-Up

You know how when your feeling down, nothing makes you feel better like comfort food? and unless you have a personal chef in your cupboard or an embarrassing photo of your best friend in your pocket, then chances are it's up to you to make that comfort food.

Now let's' face it... When your feeling blue the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen cooking that special dish. But don't let that stop you, because I have just the recipe you've been needing. It has only three ingredients, takes about ten minutes to make, and best of all it's no bake!

So are you ready for Creamy, Crunchy, Melt-in-your-Mouth Bliss?

(got sensitive teeth? don't worry, it's just 3 extra minutes and 1 extra step to kick the "crunch" to the curb!)

Step 1: Round It Up!

We're gonna make this as painless as possible, so let's gather everything together first. We don't want to have to stop in the middle of things to run around trying to find something or worse realize we don't have something.

Here's what you need:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Butterscotch Morsels
  • 2/3 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 2 cups *LA CHOY brand Chow Mein Noodles


Baking Supplies

  • Medium sized Mixing Bowl
  • a Spatula (the mixing/ icing kind, not the burger flipping kind)
  • 2/3 cup Measuring Cup
  • 1 cup Measuring Cup
  • Parchment Paper
  • a Baking Sheet
  • an Airtight Food Container
  • a Spoon
  • Rolling Pin optional (only needed if your kicking that crunch out)

*I highly suggest you use LA CHOY brand chow mein noodles, I have never tasted any other brand let alone used any other brand in this recipe and don't know how it would taste.

Step 2: Decisions Decisions

I know what your thinking, this is supposed to be simple right?

Don't worry it still is... All you have to do is decide how you're going to melt your morsels.

  1. You can do it on the *stove top
  2. You can use a microwave

*If you decide on way 1 then you will need 1 more thing: a small saucepan partially filled with water

When picking a saucepan it's important to make sure your glass bowl rests on top of your saucepan and does NOT fit in your saucepan, and that the water level is at least an inch or two lower than the bottom of your glass bowl. (see photo)

Next I'll be talking you threw way 1 if that's the route you go. And since I, myself use a microwave I will be walking you threw way 2 (pics included).

So do you have everything? Good, let's get this show on the road!

Step 3: Melting Your Morsels

Stovetop:

  • First things first, bring your water to a boil on medium heat.
  • Now open your morsels and measure out 1 cup
  • Pour the morsels in your glass bowl
  • Stir morsels continuously with spatula until morsels are melted
  • Promptly remove glass bowl from pan


Microwave:

  • First, open your morsels and measure out 1 cup
  • Microwave your morsels for only 30 seconds

Step 4: Better Safe Then Burnt!

For you microwave users-

When the microwave beeps, it's time to check and see if your morsels are fully melted...

  • It's VERY important that you take the bowl out of the microwave
  • Now use your spatula to check if your morsels are melted.

If they are not fully melted

  • Microwave them an additional 15 seconds
  • Again you need to check the morsels with your spatula
  • (repeat until morsels are fully melted)

Please note that if not stirred morsels will HOLD THEIR SHAPE when melted. Morsels BURN VERY QUICKLY. Burnt morsels are VERY DRY AND CRUMBLE apart. So don't let your eyes deceive you, always check with a spatula!

Step 5: It's Peanut Butter Jelly Oh Wait... It's Just Peanut Butter Time

From here on, instructions is the same for both those who microwaved and those who used the stovetop.

  • Now let's measure 2/3 cup peanut butter
  • Add peanut butter to the bowl of melted morsels
  • Use your spatula to stir in the peanut butter until fully combined

Step 6: For Those Who Like Life a Little Less Crunchy

Sensitive Teeth? No worries, here's that extra step I mentioned in the beginning...

  • First, you need to pull a long sheet of parchment paper and lay it on your work surface (this makes for easy cleanup later)
  • Now you need to measure out 1 cup of the chow mein noodles and pour them on the parchment paper
  • Then fold the parchment paper back over your chow mein noodles

I think you know what's next...

  • Yup, you guessed it, roll the crunch right out of those noodles!
  • Using your rolling pin keep rolling until the chow mein noodles are to your preferred consistency

No more crunch, good.

  • Pour the chow mein noodle bits into the glass bowl
  • Using spatula, stir in the chow mein bits until they are fully coated

You did great! But remember we need *2 cups of chow mein noodles

  • So now we just need to repeat this step

Wasn't it faster the 2nd time?

*Only crush 1 cup of chow mein noodles at a time, any more and the noodles pour out from under the parchment paper and bits of chow mein shoot out if crushed to close to the paper's edge. Also, bigger pieces of chow mein noodle may be left if crushing too much at a time.

Step 7: And for Those Who Dare to Crunch

  • Measure out 2 cups of chow mein noodles
  • Pour the noodles into the glass bowl
  • Use spatula to stir in the chow mein noodles until fully coated

Step 8: Back Together and Spooning It Out

At last were all on the same page, So no matter if you microwaved, used the stovetop, rolled it out, or kept it crunchy the last few steps are the same for everyone.

  • Now you need to your line your baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Next place spoonfuls of your mix on your parchment covered baking sheet, making sure they're not touching each other
  • When your baking sheet is full place in freezer for 10 minutes (repeat with any leftover mix)

Step 9: This Is KEY!!

Second to last may not sound that important. But in this instructable, second to last is crucial, it's undeniably the most important part!!

When your goodies have been in the freezer for ten minutes:

  • Get a plate
  • Open the freezer
  • Don't pull the baking sheet out just yet, instead grab a haystack or two
  • Find a comfy place to have a seat
  • Relax, take a breather
  • and indulge in these delectable delights

Step 10: Pack It Up and Chill

Feeling any better? Good, now let's wrap this pep party up.

  • Go ahead and grab the baking sheet from the freezer
  • Place a piece of parchment paper in your airtight container
  • Taking your haystacks off the baking sheet, place a single layer of haystacks in your container
  • Then place another piece of parchment paper on top of your layer of haystacks
  • Put the rest of your haystacks in your container, placing a piece of parchment between each layer
  • Put the lid on your container and place the container in your refrigerator

You're all done, you did a great job, and now you have a little happiness at hand..! (at least until they're gone)