Buddy the Elf Cookies

Turn your favorite Haystack Cookies into these, fun, festive Buddy the Elf Cookies reminiscent of your favorite Christmas movie, Elf. The classic cookie is topped with all of the Elf’s favorite candy to turn it into a fun Christmas treat!

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Email *

Save This Recipe

I aspire to have the sweet tooth that Buddy has…and these cookies are a great representation of that. And while I don’t think I could stomach spaghetti with maple syrup, these Buddy the Elf cookies inspired by that wild cuisine are absolutely delicious!

According to the Elf movie, elves have four main food group: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup! I’ve been sure to include a few different variations of those categories in this yummy elf cookies recipe.

If you’ve ever had haystack cookies, these are really similar. Just with a fun Christmas twist that is full of the best Christmas spirit you can muster!

Why You’ll Love No Bake Buddy the Elf Cookies

• This is a great make ahead recipe if you need to get something off of the plate as you plan for your extra festive Christmas party!
• No bake Christmas cookies will help you reserve your oven space for more Christmas baked goods like Christmas Snickerdoodles.
• Cookies like these are perfect to hand out as gifts, sell in holiday bake sales, or use at a cookie swap! Not to mention, they are absolutely amazing to serve at parties with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients for Buddy the Elf Cookies

• Peanut butter chips – Use peanut butter chips instead of regular peanut butter to help keep the cookies together well.
• Milk chocolate chips – Feel free to swap out the milk chocolate for semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate if you prefer.
• Butterscotch chips – You need plenty of butterscotch chips, just like a classic recipe for haystack cookies, to make the perfect elf Christmas cookies.
• White chocolate chips – White chocolate chips mixed in with all these other flavors is just the cherry on top…or rather, the chocolate on top!
• Shortening – To make the chocolate easier to mix together, add shortening. It will thin it out and also make it more easy to stir into the chow mein noodles.
• Chow mein noodles – Not only do chow mein noodles mimic Buddy the Elf’s breakfast spaghetti, but they give that yummy crunchy that a classic haystack cookie would have!
• Mini M&Ms – I like to use mini M&Ms in this recipe since they stick to the cookies a bit more easily. Feel free to use the regular sized M&Ms if you prefer though!
• Mini marshmallows – The fluffy texture of marshmallows is a delicious and fun contrast against the crunchy Chow Mein noodles.

How to Make Buddy the Elf Cookies

1. Begin by lining a few baking sheets with parchment paper and then set them aside.
2. Next, combine butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe mixing bowl.
3. Place the bowl of chips into the microwave and heat at 50% power for 1 minute. Remove the melted chips and stir well. If they are not fully melted, place back into the microwave and heat at 30 second intervals until all the chips have melted. Stir in between and do not heat too long or the chocolate will sieze.
4. Add the Chow Mein noodles to the fully melted chocolate and gently stir them in with a silicone spatula. Make sure each noodle is evenly coated.
5. Drop noodles into teaspoon sized mounds on the parchment lined baking sheets, then set them aside while they harden.
6. Place milk chocolate chips into another microwave safe bowl and melt using the same method as earlier. Melt and stir until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted.
7. Pour the chocolate into a piping bag and then snip off the end. Drizzle the melted chocolate onto the set cookies and then top with marshmallows and M&Ms.
8. Once the cookies are fully set and the chocolate drizzle has hardened, you can serve your cookies or store them away for later!

How to Store No Bake Buddy the Elf Cookies

Place each of the cookies into a large airtight container and store at room temperature for about a week. As long as the elf cookies are kept in a cool and dry place, they’ll stay fresh!

What to Serve with Buddy the Elf Cookies

Ready for the most perfect Christmas menu? Or maybe you want some ideas for extra snacks to serve with elf cookies for family movie night? I’ve got plenty of ideas!

Homemade popcorn is the most perfect pairing for family movie night as you watch Elf. If you want something more substantial, maybe even a finger food meal, then make air fryer popcorn chicken instead!

Make the most festive Christmas dessert table by making desserts like Christmas pinwheel cookies and Christmas crack to go along with this buddy the elf cookies recipe.

Want some salty appetizer type foods to make a fun Christmas spread? The mini Christmas tree pizzas are delish!

Don’t forget a warm beverage like egg nog or homemade white hot chocolate!

What can I use instead of chow mein noodles?

If you can’t find chow mein noodles or don’t have them on hand, you can use pretzel sticks! You’ll have to break some of sticks up so the cookies can be formed more easily, but they should work great. Keep in mind that the flavor will be just a touch different.

These festive cookies are just the best! Whether you make a batch for family movie night or serve them at your next holiday party, they are sure to be a hit.

More No Bake Christmas Recipes

• Cornflake Wreaths are as pretty as can be! One of the cutest Christmas treats ever.
• Everyone needs a good cheesecake recipe, and this No Bake Peppermint Cheesecake is just the thing for the holiday season.
• A classic holiday recipe, Buckeye Candy is a favorite for all peanut butter and chocolate fans!
• Sugared Cranberries are the sweet treat you didn’t know you needed!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

 

No ratings yet

Buddy The Elf Cookies

A classic Haystack Cookie topped with the Elf's favorite candy to turn it into a fun Buddy the Elf Cookie for Christmas!

Prep:10 minutes mins

Cooling Time:10 minutes mins

Total:20 minutes mins

Print Recipe Rate Recipe

• Pin

Save RecipeSaved!

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Email *

Save This Recipe

18

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 cups Chow Mein Noodles
• ▢ ½ cup butterscotch chips
• ▢ ½ cup peanut butter chips
• ▢ ⅓ cup white chocolate chips
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons shortening
• ▢ ⅓ cup milk chocolate chips
• ▢ ¼ cup mini M&Ms
• ▢ ¼ cup mini marshmallows bits

Instructions

• Place butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and shortening into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave chips at 50% power for 1 minute. Remove and stir. If needed continue to microwave at 30 second intervals until completely smooth.
• Remove from the microwave and stir in noodles, until completely coated.
• Drop coated noodles (about a teaspoon in size) onto parchment paper, set aside to set.
• While coated noodles are hardening, microwave the milk chocolate at 50% power for 1 minute. Continue to heat at 30 second intervals until completely melted.
• Place melted chocolate into a piping bag and snip off the tip with scissors.
• Drizzle the melted chocolate onto the hardened haystacks in a random pattern.
• Top with mini marshmallows and mini M&Ms.
• Let chocolate on the haystacks harden and then serve.

Tips

• Place each of the cookies into a large airtight container and store at room temperature for about a week. As long as the elf cookies are kept in a cool and dry place, they’ll stay fresh!
• Need to stack your cookies? Make sure to add a sheet of parchment paper in between layers so they stick together.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 176kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 29g (10%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 5g (8%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 2mg (1%), Sodium: 191mg (8%), Potassium: 10mg, Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 11g (12%), Vitamin A: 20IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 14mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.