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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Cookie Recipes

    Published: Sep 22, 2019 · Modified: Sep 7, 2023 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Chocolate-Covered Shoestring Haystacks

    Jump to Recipe

    In a matter of minutes and with only three ingredients and never turning on the oven you can easily make these sweet and salty addicting Chocolate-Covered Shoestring Haystacks.

    Closeup photo of a plate of chocolate covered shoestring haystacks with autumn sprinkles.

    This easy homemade candy recipe can be tailored to any occasion or season just by what you choose to sprinkle on top.

    I embellished my shoestring potato candy using colorful autumn leave sprinkles (shown above) but I also used toffee bits (pictured below) to demonstrate how versatile these sweet and salty snacks are for year-round enjoyment!

    Table of Contents Found Here
    • The ingredient list:
    • Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
    • How long will it take to make this homemade candy from start to finish?
    • Don't rush the melting process!!
    • Can the chocolate be melted in a double-boiler instead?
    • How to make chocolate-covered shoestring haystacks:
    • What are some additional add-ins or topping suggestions for shoestring haystack candy?
    • Additional homemade candy recipes:
    • Printable Recipe Card
    • Please comment if you've made this recipe.

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    Vertical title text image of a closeup of a hand holding a chocolate haystack candy.

    The ingredient list:

    **Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience.

    • Shoestring Potato Sticks
    • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
    • Toffee Bits (optional)
    • Autumn Leaf Sprinkles (optional)

    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

    • Microwave-Safe Bowl
    • Spatula
    • Cookie Sheets
    • Parchment Paper
    • Bakery Boxes (for gift giving)

    How long will it take to make this homemade candy from start to finish?

    Basically, as long as it takes you to melt the chocolate chips at a slow to moderate pace in a microwave.

    It will take approximately 3 - 4 minutes to melt the chocolate, and another 5 or so minutes to stir and spoon the haystacks out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

    So, under 10 minutes. How's that for fast and delicious?!!

    A colorful plate of sweet and salty chocolate haystack candy with autumn leave sprinkles.

    Don't rush the melting process!!

    Trust me when I say "I've been there and done that" by trying to rush the process of melting chocolate in a microwave. It has ALWAYS ended in a disaster, and the price to pay just isn't worth it. Don't do it!!

    Since every microwave is different, make sure to set the power level to medium-low and start the melting process by setting the timer in 40-second intervals.

    After every 40 second interval, take the bowl out and give the chocolate a stir.

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    At first, the chocolate chips will look unchanged. Then, after a few more intervals, the chocolate will slowly begin to melt and become smooth, and glossy.

    If you try and rush the process by melting the chocolate on too high a temperature, the chocolate will seize and become hard and gloppy. Once this happens there is no reversing its consistency, and the chocolate is no longer useable. Sad.

    Overhead horizontal photo of a square white plate filled with chocolate covered shoestring haystacks with toffee bits.

    Can the chocolate be melted in a double-boiler instead?

    Yes!!

    Low and slow is still the key. Do not rush the process of melting chocolate!!

    How to make chocolate-covered shoestring haystacks:

    • Add shoestring potatoes to a large bowl.
    • Pour in the melted chocolate and carefully stir until combined.
    • Drop the chocolate shoestring potatoes by heaping tablespoons onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
    • Sprinkle with your choice of topping (optional).
    • Allow the chocolate to set, and then serve or gift.

    What are some additional add-ins or topping suggestions for shoestring haystack candy?

    • Raisins
    • Dried Cranberries
    • Dried Blueberries
    • Colorful Sprinkles
    • Red and Green Sprinkles
    • Crushed Peppermint Candy
    • Crushed Pretzel Sticks
    • Peanut Butter
    • White Chocolate Chips
    • Butterscotch Chips
    • Cinnamon Chips

    Additional homemade candy recipes:

    *Tropical White Chocolate Candy Bites (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen

    A vertical photo of a plate of tropical white chocolate candy with a gift wrapped package and a roll of ribbon in the background.

    *Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Bliss Balls from Apple for CJ

    *Peanut Butter and Chocolate Granola Jumbles (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen

    A vertical photo of a plate of peanut butter granola jumbles in the foreground and a tray of them in the background.

    *Layered Chocolate Mint Bars from Drugstore Divas

    *Chocolate-Covered Shoestring Haystacks (pictured below) This is the place!!

    Vertical title text photo collage of two difference images of chocolate covered shoestring haystacks.

    When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.

    Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!

    Printable Recipe Card

    A plate filled with Chocolate Covered Shoestring Haystack cookies with toffee chips on top.

    Chocolate Covered Shoestring Haystacks

    Renee Goerger
    A sweet and salty treat that is easy to make and hard to resist!
    Have you made this recipe?Please Comment and Rate
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Save this recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Candy Recipes, cookies, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 servings
    Calories 57 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking sheets
    • parchment paper
    • microwave save bowl optional
    • glass measuring cup
    • spatula
    • large mixing bowl

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 9 ounces shoestring potato sticks
    • 1 bag (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • Assorted Sprinkles OR Toffee Bits
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl at medium/low heat (stirring occasionally) until smooth and glossy.
    • Add the shoestring potato sticks to a large bowl and pour the melted chocolate over top.
    • Stir gently until completely combined.
    • Drop the chocolate-covered shoestring haystacks by heaping tablespoons onto a cookie sheet which has been lined with parchment paper.
    • Sprinkle candy bits or colored sprinkles on top of each haystack while the chocolate is wet.
    • Allow the chocolate to set and harden.

    Notes

    Store these chocolate-covered shoestring haystacks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 0.003mgSodium: 56mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 0.02IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.1mg

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy homemade candy recipe for chocolate-covered shoestring haystacks as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!

    Please don't forget to like and follow me across all of my SM channels, and while you're at it stop by and say hello! I'll be looking for you! 🙂

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    Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

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    Comments

      4.75 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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    1. Julie Evink says

      September 22, 2019 at 2:26 pm

      I had never had the chocolate version of these before! I might never go back to my "normal" ones! YUM!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        September 23, 2019 at 10:10 am

        Everything's better when it's covered in chocolate!! LOL

        Reply

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