chocolate haystacks | hello, sweetie!
When I asked my five year old if he wanted to try some chocolate haystacks, he questioned, "like the kind on a farm?" Hysterical. "Yes, like the kind on a farm. Only way better!"
Even when you don't feel like baking, these are a great shortcut to please those pleading eyes awaiting dessert. From gathering ingredients to chow time, these take less than 30 minutes and there's no need to preheat the oven! Another reason to load up in the hot summer months. When we were in high school, my best friend Jessie and I would make these all the time; a great afterschool snack!
chocolate haystacks | hello, sweetie!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1/2 cup butter
- pinch salt
- 1 cup peanut or almond butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups oats (not quick cooking)
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)
Directions:
In a saucepan, mix sugar, milk, butter, cocoa and salt. Bring to a boil, and cook for about one minute (stirring constantly). Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until melted and smooth. Mix in the oats, and then the chopped peanuts, if you are using them. Let sit for about 10 minutes. Drop by medium disher or ice cream scoop onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, and chill until set. Makes about 30 cookies. (Or do like me and eat 6 but tell everyone it makes 2 dozen).