Christmas Spiced Haystacks

Rich and buttery peanut butter teams up with sweet confectioners’ sugar, crunchy graham crackers, and spicy cinnamon to create these adorable Christmas Spiced Haystacks.

Perfect for the holiday season, these bite-sized treats are a delicious combination of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds merry and bright!

Ingredients

• peanut butter 1 1/2 cups
• confectioners’ sugar 1 cup
• powdered milk 1/2 cup
• graham cracker crumbs 1/2 cup
• chopped peanuts 1/2 cup
• melted butter 1/4 cup
• chocolate chips 1 cup
• shortening 1 tablespoon
• salt 1/4 teaspoon
• ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon
• ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter and confectioners’ sugar until smooth.

Add powdered milk, graham cracker crumbs, and chopped peanuts; mix well.

Gradually add melted butter, mixing until a dough forms. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Melt chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval, until smooth.

Stir in salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each.

Gently press a fork into top of each ball to flatten slightly.

Drizzle melted chocolate mixture over the top of each ball, using a spoon to spread evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.

Once set, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

Use a high-quality peanut butter that’s fresh and creamy for the best flavor.

If your peanut butter is too thick, you can always microwave it for a few seconds to soften it.

Make sure to press the graham cracker crumbs into the mixture well, as they can be a bit stubborn.

Don’t overmix the dough, or it’ll become tough.

If you find the mixture too sticky, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before proceeding.

For the chocolate topping, melt it in 30-second increments to avoid burning it.

If you’re not a fan of nutmeg or cinnamon, feel free to omit or substitute with your preferred spice.

These treats are best served chilled, so make sure to store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

You can also customize these by adding a sprinkle of sea salt or crushed candy canes on top for an extra festive touch.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 220
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 5mg
• Sodium: 50mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 26g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 18g
• Protein: 4g