Best Bites: Fall Haystack Cookies

By Donna Erickson

Make Adorable Fall Haystack Cookies With Kids

We were sitting around the dinner table recently commenting about fall and how much our family loves this time of year. When it came to specifics, we blurted out favorites like football, jumping in raked leaves, crispy apples at the farmer's market, and cooler evenings sleeping under comforters with the window still open. Then a friend who grew up in Indiana chimed in, "Don't forget haystacks!"

PHOTO CREDIT: Donna Erickson

If you are a city dweller, you probably don't think of haystacks when images of fall come to mind. But take a leisurely autumn drive into the countryside, and you'll no doubt see haystacks of all shapes and sizes lined up in the farm fields, mile after mile.

Haystacks have been in fields and part of our culture for ages. Young children recite the charming rhyme about "Little Boy Blue" who fell fast asleep under a haystack. French impressionist Claude Monet painted a memorable series of haystacks, and there's also the old expression "it's like finding a needle in a haystack" that comes up in moments of frustration. Now you and your kids can make your own Haystack Cookies in your kitchen in three easy steps to celebrate the harvest season when it comes.

Here are the ingredients for Haystack Cookies:

• 1/4 cup light corn syrup

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1/2 cup peanut butter

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup cornflakes cereal

• 1 cup chow mein noodles

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Here's the fun: Let the kids measure and stir together the corn syrup, honey, and peanut butter in a medium saucepan. An adult should then take over and bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Meanwhile, kids can measure and mix the cornflakes, chow mein noodles, and chocolate chips in a large mixing bowl. An adult should pour the melted peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir lightly until completely coated.

When it's cool to the touch, let kids drop the mixture by heaping tablespoons onto a foil-covered baking sheet. Form each one into a haystack shape. Cool in refrigerator until firm.

(Makes approximately 24 haystacks, depending on the size you create.)

Note: These cookies freeze well.

"The Grandkids Are Coming!" Tip: Take a walk with your grandchild and look upward for nests tucked in bare tree branches. When you return, prepare this recipe, replacing the cornflakes with more chow mein noodles for a total of 2 cups. Shape the cookies into bird's nests instead of haystacks.

Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com.