Buddy the Elf Cookies
Do your kids LOVE the move “Elf” at Christmas? Now you can make these delicious no-bake Buddy the Elf Cookies to pair with their favorite movie! A fun twist on classic haystack cookies with the Elf’s favorite candy. This will be your favorite Christmas recipe in no-time.
If you’ve ever seen the classic Christmas movie Elf, then you’ll know the scene that these adorable and wacky cookies are based off of. Are you picturing it? Are you giggling as much as I am?
This adorable and light-hearted movie is a family favorite that has stood the test of time! And if you haven’t seen it yet, then make a big batch of these cookies and some Buddy the Elf snack mix and watch it tonight. I mean it! Your kids will belly laugh at this movie that is full of Christmas spirit.
Not to mention, this recipe is super kid-friendly! Not only will they enjoy eating them, but they’ll have a blast making them. Since this is a no-bake recipe, littles can be in the kitchen without fear of a hot oven or a heated stove top.
Christmas is truly one of the best times of the year! So take a little inspiration from Buddy and make a sweet creation that does justice to the joy of the season!
Why You’ll Love Buddy the Elf Cookies
- A no-bake recipe means you can keep your oven space free for other sweet baked goods like Grinch cookies.
- You only need about 20 minutes to make this no bake Christmas cookies recipe. Quick, easy, and absolutely adorable!
- Make this kid-friendly recipe for classroom parties, bake sales, and everything in between. But don’t be afraid to make them anytime during Christmas because adults love them too!
Ingredients for No-Bake Buddy the Elf Cookies
- Peanut butter chips – I do not recommend swapping this out with creamy peanut butter. You’ll need to use peanut butter chips so that the cookies will set well and stay together!
- Milk chocolate chips – If you prefer semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate, feel free to substitute it here.
- Butterscotch chips – Just like a classic recipe for haystack cookies, you’ll need a good serving of butterscotch chips to make these sweet and crunchy elf cookies.
- White chocolate chips – I know, I know…four different types of chocolate chips? It seems like a lot, but I think Buddy would approve!
- Shortening – A little glob of shortening will help thin out the mixture of melted chips to make it easier to mix into the chow mein noodles.
- Chow mein noodles – That quintessential crunch of classic haystack cookies is most often made from chow mein noodles. Now, the noodles mimic that of a Buddy the Elf’s breakfast spaghetti…only in a happy little cookie!
- Mini M&Ms – The mini M&Ms tend to stick to these cookies better than regular sized candies. However, if you can’t track down mini M&Ms, feel free to use a bag of the classic candy coated chocolate.
- Mini marshmallows – A little fluffy squish amongst the tasty crunchy is a very fun change in texture!
Helpful Tools
How to Make Buddy the Elf Cookies
- Line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper and set it aside for later.
- In a microwave safe bowl, add butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips and shortening.
- Microwave the chips for 1 minute at 50% power. Remove the chips and stir, then place back into the microwave to continue melting if needed. Microwave at 30 second intervals until all the chips have melted. Stir in between and do not heat too long or the chocolate will sieze.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and gently stir in the Chow Mein noodles until they are all completely coated.
- Then, drop coated noodles into little mounds on the parchment lined baking sheet. Set them aside to harden.
- While the cookies are hardening, microwave the milk chocolate chips with same method used above. In the same way, keep microwaving at 30 second intervals until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Place the melted chocolate chips into a piping bag and snip off the tip with kitchen shears or scissors.
- Once the cookies have set, drizzle the tops with melted milk chocolate in a random and fun pattern.
- Top the cookies with mini marshmallows and mini M&Ms.
- Once the chocolate hardens to keep the toppings in place, you can serve or store the cookies! So turn on Elf and enjoy!
How to Store Leftover No-Bake Buddy the Elf Cookies
Leftovers of this Buddy the Elf cookie recipe can be stored in airtight container for up to a week. Just be sure to keep them in a cool, dry place. If you need to stack the cookies, be sure you place sheets of parchment paper in between the layers to keep them from sticking together.
What Can I Pair with Buddy the Elf Cookies?
While it isn’t necessary to pair a cookie with anything special, it can make for a lot of fun! Grinch punch would be a super fun beverage to drink with this crunchy Buddy the Elf cookie recipe. Oh, and make a show stopping cookie platter for the kid’s classroom parties or Christmas bake sales with these elf cookies, some lump of coal cookies and brownie mix reindeer cookies.
I don’t know about you, but I’d never turn down a big mug of whipped hot chocolate served with a fresh sweet cookie!
These would also be a fun addition to the kiddos lunch box around December. Add a Christmas lunchbox note for extra fun!
Can I add other toppings to Buddy the Elf Cookies?
Considering that Buddy added Poptarts, chocolate chips, chocolate sauce, candy, maple syrup, and so much more to his spaghetti, I think it is safe to say you could any any sweet you want to these cookies!
Extra chocolate chips on top would be tasty. Red and green sprinkles would be super festive and any other sweet and chocolate candy would go great as a topping.
Add a slightly salty flair with some broken pretzel sticks as toppings!
Pro Tips!
- Make your cookies extra festive by using just red and green M&Ms! Stores typically sell a Christmas blend of M&Ms around the holidays.
- Is your cookie mixture sticking to the spoon and you can’t mix it? Spray the spoon or spatula with non-stick cooking spray before mixing to make things a bit easier.
- Don’t make your cookies too big or they may not set well in the middle. Just do teaspoon sized mounds on the parchment paper!
Buddy the Elf cookies are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season. Your sweet tooth will thank you for this yummy cookie!
More Christmas Recipes
- Grinch Cupcakes are a super fun and super silly way to celebrate the holidays with baked goods.
- Reindeer Chow is a fun twist on the classic recipe of puppy chow.
- These Reindeer Pretzels are easy to make and taste delicious.
- Make Grinch Rice Krispie Treat Pops for a unique and yummy holiday sweet treat.
Buddy the Elf Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chow Mein Noodles
- ½ cup butterscotch chips
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
- ⅓ cup white chocolate chips
- 2 Tbs shortening
- ⅓ cup milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Mini M&Ms
- ¼ cup Mini marshmallows bits
Instructions
- Place butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and shortening into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave chips at 50% power for 1 minute. Remove and stir. If needed continue to microwave at 30 second intervals until completely smooth.
- Remove from the microwave and stir in Chow Mein noodles, until completely coated.
- Next, drop coated noodles (about a teaspoon in size) onto parchment paper, set aside to set.
- While coated noodles are hardening, microwave the milk chocolate at 50% power for 1 minute, stir. Continue to heat at 30 second intervals until completely melted, stirring after each interval.
- Place melted chocolate into a piping bag and snip off the tip with scissors.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate onto the hardened haystacks in a random pattern.
- Top with mini marshmallows and mini M&Ms.
- Let chocolate on the haystacks harden and then serve.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to a week.
