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Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a simple but show-stopping treat this season, you’re going to adore this Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe comes together in just minutes, needing only four ingredients, yet it delivers that perfect crunch and sweet, creamy hit that makes it a holiday staple in my kitchen. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll find yourself craving them all year, not just around the holidays!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Super Quick & Easy: You’ll have cookies on the table in under 10 minutes, perfect for busy holiday prep.
  • Minimal Ingredients: Just four simple things you likely already have on hand, no fancy substitutes needed.
  • Crunch & Sweet Perfection: The combo of white chocolate, peanuts, and crispy chow mein noodles hits all the right texture notes.
  • Beautifully Festive: Christmas sprinkles add that magical holiday touch that your guests will rave about.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the magic happens with just a few ingredients that complement each other perfectly — creamy white chocolate, salty peanuts, and crunchy chow mein noodles. Here’s what to look out for when picking them out.

Flat lay of a small pile of smooth, creamy white chocolate chips, a handful of shiny salted peanuts with golden brown skins, a neatly arranged nest of crispy, thin chow mein noodles, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful Christmas sprinkles in red, green, white, and gold, all spaced evenly on a simple white ceramic plate and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies, white chocolate peanut cookies, easy holiday cookie recipe, quick Christmas cookies, peanut and white chocolate treats
  • White Chocolate Chips: I swear by Ghirardelli for their rich, smooth melt and great flavor balance.
  • Salted Peanuts: The saltiness here cuts through the sweetness and adds a lovely crunch.
  • Chow Mein Noodles: Get the classic La Choy brand if you can; they stay crisp and add that signature texture.
  • Christmas Sprinkles: Any festive sprinkles will do—get creative! I love mixing red, green, and white for an extra holiday vibe.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love tweaking this Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies Recipe every year—sometimes it’s just about switching up the sprinkles or nuts, other times I like to get a little wild with different add-ins. Don’t be afraid to experiment; this recipe is such a forgiving one!

  • Nut Swap: When my family has nut allergies, I swap peanuts for pumpkin seeds or pretzels to keep that crunch without the risk.
  • Chocolate Variation: Sometimes I mix in semi-sweet chocolate chips along with white chocolate for a two-tone flavor surprise.
  • Seasonal Sprinkles: Beyond Christmas, I’ve used pastel sprinkles for Easter or red and pink for Valentine’s Day—super fun!
  • Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne powder to the melted chocolate is a crazy good surprise if you love a little heat.

How to Make Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Melt the White Chocolate

I usually melt the white chocolate chips in a large microwavable bowl, following the package instructions carefully — this means heating in short bursts of 20 seconds and stirring in between to avoid burning. If you’ve never done this, don’t rush it; white chocolate is delicate and can seize or scorch if overheated. You’ll want it silky-smooth and ready to mix.

Step 2: Stir in the Peanuts and Chow Mein Noodles

Once the chocolate is melted, toss in your salted peanuts and crunchy chow mein noodles. Gently fold everything together until the peanuts and noodles are evenly coated in that luscious white chocolate. One trick I’ve learned is to do this by hand rather than with a spoon so you don’t crush the noodles, keeping that signature crunch intact.

Step 3: Form the Cookies and Add Sprinkles

Use a rounded spoon or cookie scoop to drop the mixture onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Don’t worry about perfect shapes here; these cookies have a rustic charm that’s part of their appeal. Next, sprinkle generously with your chosen Christmas sprinkles—this adds a pop of color and festive flair that just makes these cookies irresistible.

Step 4: Let Them Cool and Set

Patience is key! Let the cookies cool for several hours at room temperature until they’re completely set and firm enough to handle. Sometimes I speed this up by putting them in the fridge, but I warn you, that can make the cookies a bit more brittle. I prefer the slow set for that perfect chewy-crunch experience.

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Pro Tips for Making Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies Recipe

  • Gentle Melting: Always melt white chocolate slowly in the microwave to prevent it from seizing or burning.
  • Protect Crunch: Fold ingredients carefully by hand to keep chow mein noodles intact and crunchy.
  • Wax Paper is Your Friend: Placing drops on wax paper makes removal easy once cookies set—no sticking or breakage.
  • Set Time is Key: Let cookies fully cool before handling to keep them from falling apart.

How to Serve Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies Recipe

The image shows a colorful box filled with clusters of creamy white candy made from a mix of oats or cereal pieces. Each cluster is topped with small red and green round and rod-shaped sprinkles scattered unevenly all over. The box has bright holiday words and symbols in red, green, blue, and other colors on a white background, with a red ribbon on one side. The box sits on a white marbled surface over a red cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies, white chocolate peanut cookies, easy holiday cookie recipe, quick Christmas cookies, peanut and white chocolate treats

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with a generous sprinkle of festive sugar crystals or edible glitter to add sparkle that really wows when served on holiday dessert trays. Sometimes, a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the top adds a beautiful contrast and extra richness.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced tea or rich hot chocolate. For holiday parties, I often serve them alongside other easy finger foods like spiced nuts or cranberry-studded cheese boards—simple but festive!

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to present these is by stacking them on a tiered dessert stand, mixing in greenery sprigs or cinnamon sticks to amp up the holiday vibe. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane tied with a festive ribbon also makes for adorable edible gifts that friends always appreciate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering wax paper between to keep them from sticking together. They usually last well for up to a week, but in my house, they never stick around that long!

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookies a few times by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then stacking them between parchment sheets in a freezer-safe box. When you’re ready for a snack, just thaw at room temperature, and they taste as fresh as ever.

Reheating

Since they’re best enjoyed cool and crunchy, I usually skip reheating. But if you prefer them a bit softer, a 5-10 second zap in the microwave works wonders—just don’t overdo it or they’ll lose their texture.

FAQs

  1. Can I substitute white chocolate chips with another type of chocolate?

    Absolutely! While white chocolate gives these cookies their classic creamy sweetness, you can swap in milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips if you prefer. Just keep in mind the flavor profile will change slightly—milk chocolate adds richness, while semi-sweet introduces a bit more bite.

  2. What if I can’t find chow mein noodles? What can I use instead?

    If you can’t find chow mein noodles, thin pretzel sticks broken into small pieces or crispy rice cereal can work as a crunchy alternative. The key is to retain that delicate crisp texture that contrasts with the creamy chocolate and crunchy peanuts.

  3. How do I prevent the white chocolate from seizing?

    White chocolate is sensitive to heat and moisture. To prevent seizing, melt it slowly at short intervals in the microwave, stirring between each burst. Avoid overheating and never add water or wet utensils while melting. If you follow these steps, you should get a smooth, glossy melt every time.

  4. Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?

    Yes! You can substitute the white chocolate chips with a vegan or dairy-free white chocolate alternative available at many health food stores. Just double-check the peanuts and sprinkles to ensure they are vegan-friendly, and you’re good to go.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies Recipe has truly become a beloved tradition in my household because it’s quick, foolproof, and endlessly delicious. I hope you give it a try—you’ll enjoy how easy it is to whip up a batch of these crisp, sweet, festive bites that bring everyone together. Whether you’re pressing for time or looking to add a new cookie to your holiday repertoire, this one’s a winner every single time. Happy baking, my friend!

Print
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Holiday White Chocolate Peanut Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 124 reviews
  • Author: Jasmine
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Holiday Haystack Cookies are a quick and festive treat featuring melted white chocolate chips combined with crunchy salted peanuts and crispy chow mein noodles, adorned with colorful Christmas sprinkles. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these no-bake cookies come together in minutes and offer a delightful mix of textures and flavors.


Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white chocolate chips (preferably Ghirardelli)
  • 1 cup salted peanuts
  • 3-4 cups La Choy chow mein noodles
  • Christmas sprinkles


Instructions

  1. Melt the Chocolate: Place the white chocolate chips in a large microwavable bowl and melt them according to the package instructions, usually heating in 30-second intervals and stirring in between until smooth.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Once the chocolate is melted, immediately add the salted peanuts and 3 to 4 cups of chow mein noodles to the bowl. Gently fold them into the melted chocolate until all the noodles and peanuts are evenly coated.
  3. Form Haystacks: Drop rounded spoonfuls of the mixture onto a sheet of wax paper, spacing them apart so they can set without sticking together.
  4. Add Sprinkles: Immediately sprinkle Christmas-themed sprinkles on top of each haystack for a festive touch and added texture.
  5. Cool and Set: Allow the cookies to cool and set at room temperature for several hours or until firm. Once set, gently remove the haystacks from the wax paper and enjoy.

Notes

  • These cookies can be made in under ten minutes, making them a great last-minute holiday treat.
  • You can customize the sprinkles according to the holiday or event you’re celebrating.
  • For variations, try substituting peanuts with other nuts like almonds or cashews, or use milk chocolate chips instead of white chocolate.
  • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 144 kcal
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 40 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 3 mg

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