chocolate haystacks

Christmas is all about giving and every year my hubby and I donate gifts to Heroes Forever. It’s a charity that provides support and planning fun for families who have a child with cancer. This year the young boy we are supporting has leukemia and is very close to our son’s age. This charity reminds us to be so very thankful for the health of our own children. The list for him included clothing and toys that we purchased at Target. We hope and pray that these gifts make his Christmas extra special and memorable.

Speaking of giving, I have lovely memories of my mother in the kitchen during the holidays baking cookies to give to friends, family, and neighbors for Christmas. Once I was older I was able to help her in the kitchen and I remember in high school making my own cookies to include in the gifts. One of my favorites to make were chocolate haystacks. They are so simple to make: chocolate and chow mein noodles, that’s it, and the best part is there is no baking involved. It’s the perfect cookie for children to help make. I was feeling nostalgic and decided to make them, but because I love Mexican chocolate I added Mexican chocolate and a touch of coffee and made them a little more exotic and grownup. I love that they are not too sweet — crunchy, chocolaty, delicious!

Either give these Mexican chocolate haystacks as a gift or give the ingredients in small mason jars with a recipe.

Are you still on the hunt for gift giving ideas? I wanted to share some great canning jar gifts. These containers make superb gifts when you fill them with something thoughtful.

chocolate chow mein noodles

If you follow me on instagram then you might have noticed that anything turquoise is my weakness. When I saw these turquoise mason jars I couldn’t pass them up. The holidays do not have to be all about traditional red and green. Fill these with just about anything for gift giving. These are filled with dry ingredients to make empanadas and recipe cards to go with them.

target cake stand

And how gorgeous is this cake stand? As you can see it doesn’t need a cake. Display your homemade gifts on it and give them as holiday party favors.

One of my favorite gifts to give is homemade dulce de leche. You have got to see how simple these are to make.

Slow cooker dulce de leche gift

Here are more homemade treats that would make lovely Christmas gifts.

Target is our one-stop-shop for holiday décor and gifts. I am very thankful that Target asked me to collaborate for the holidays. Be sure to check out some of my other finds at Target here.

 Disclosure: A special thanks to Target for sponsoring this post.

Mexican Chocolate Haystacks

5 (1 rating)
One of my favorite treats to make are these easy chocolate haystacks. They are so simple to make: chocolate and chow mein noodles, that’s it, and the best part is there is no baking involved. It’s the perfect cookie for children to help make.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate morsels
  • 1 3.3 ounce tablet Mexican chocolate (recommend Nestle-Abuelita)
  • ½ teaspoon instant coffee
  • 6 ounces chow mein noodles

Instructions 

  • Place chocolate in a large microwave-safe container. Heat in microwave 1 to 2 minutes or until almost melted, stirring after 1 minute. Then stir until smooth.
  • Add coffee and chow mein noodles. Stir until well coated.
  • Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm.
  • Store in sealed container in cool area.

Notes

Either give these Mexican chocolate haystacks as a gift or give the ingredients in small mason jars with a recipe.
Calories: 110kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 46mg, Potassium: 75mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 6IU, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 1mg