thompson
Certa Bonum Certamen
My granddaughter and I made a bunch of both of these to include on our Christmas Treat Trays we give to family, friends and business associates. Both are really quick, don't really mess up the kitchen much (unlike our cookie baking marathons) and are always a yuge hit. 
Peanut Butter Haystacks
1 C butterscotch chips
1/2 C peanut butter (I use extra chunky)
1/2 C salted peanuts (if you use extra chunky peanut butter you can omit)
2 C chow mein noodles
Melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter in a glass bowl in the microwave on low power. I use setting 4 out of 10, 10 being the highest. Start with 45 seconds and stir and do increments of 30 seconds until the chips are completely melted. (I use the big glass bowl from an ancient stand mixer for this because it's big enough to contain the chow mein noodles. You can do it in a smaller bowl, it's just easier and less clean up if you have a big bowl.) You can also melt the peanut butter and chips in a pan on the stove, but use a double boiler if you do, it's very easy to scorch this, even if on very low flame and you're watching it. Ask me how I know!
Gently stir the chow mein noodles into the melted mixture until they're all coated.
I use metal tongs to drop onto parchment paper, you can also use two forks to grab. Let cool until set.
Rolo Pretzel Reindeer Noses
1 package small waffle pretzels (can also use regular small twists if that's all you can find)
1 package Rolo candies (unwrapped)
1 package pecan halves, toasted
Preheat oven to 250F. Lay down parchment paper or foil on a baking sheet with lip and place pretzels in a single layer.
Center one Rolo on top of each pretzel. Place baking sheet in oven for about 4 minutes. You don't want to melt the candy, just soften them.
Immediately remove from oven and work quickly, placing a pecan half on top of a candy and push gently to squish it into the candy so it flattens out. (The candy shouldn't go over the pretzel)
Cool for about 20 minutes then put uncovered in the refrigerator for another 20 minutes to set.
I put these in the miniature fluted paper cups for candy and mini-muffins.
For Rudolph noses, instead of a pecan half I place a big, well drained maraschino cherry. I usually make enough of these Rudolph noses to include one on each tray.
Peanut Butter Haystacks
1 C butterscotch chips
1/2 C peanut butter (I use extra chunky)
1/2 C salted peanuts (if you use extra chunky peanut butter you can omit)
2 C chow mein noodles
Melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter in a glass bowl in the microwave on low power. I use setting 4 out of 10, 10 being the highest. Start with 45 seconds and stir and do increments of 30 seconds until the chips are completely melted. (I use the big glass bowl from an ancient stand mixer for this because it's big enough to contain the chow mein noodles. You can do it in a smaller bowl, it's just easier and less clean up if you have a big bowl.) You can also melt the peanut butter and chips in a pan on the stove, but use a double boiler if you do, it's very easy to scorch this, even if on very low flame and you're watching it. Ask me how I know!
Gently stir the chow mein noodles into the melted mixture until they're all coated.
I use metal tongs to drop onto parchment paper, you can also use two forks to grab. Let cool until set.
Rolo Pretzel Reindeer Noses
1 package small waffle pretzels (can also use regular small twists if that's all you can find)
1 package Rolo candies (unwrapped)
1 package pecan halves, toasted
Preheat oven to 250F. Lay down parchment paper or foil on a baking sheet with lip and place pretzels in a single layer.
Center one Rolo on top of each pretzel. Place baking sheet in oven for about 4 minutes. You don't want to melt the candy, just soften them.
Immediately remove from oven and work quickly, placing a pecan half on top of a candy and push gently to squish it into the candy so it flattens out. (The candy shouldn't go over the pretzel)
Cool for about 20 minutes then put uncovered in the refrigerator for another 20 minutes to set.
I put these in the miniature fluted paper cups for candy and mini-muffins.
For Rudolph noses, instead of a pecan half I place a big, well drained maraschino cherry. I usually make enough of these Rudolph noses to include one on each tray.
