Ragtag Candies
The term “Ragtag Candies” evokes a charming, old-fashioned notion of making delightful sweets from a little bit of this and a little bit of that—perfect for using up leftover baking ingredients. They are essentially “Everything But The Kitchen Sink” homemade candy clusters.
Here are two classic approaches: one using leftover chocolate & nuts, and the other using the cornflakes, chow mein noodles, and peanut butter base often called “Haystacks” or “Dropped Cookies.”
Version 1: Chocolate Nut Clusters (The Pantry Clean-Out)
This is the quintessential ragtag candy: no two batches are exactly alike.
Ingredients
· 12 ounces chopped chocolate (bars or chips) – Use any type: semisweet, milk, dark, or a mix. You can even use leftover Halloween candy or broken candy bars.
· 1 to 1 ½ cups mixed “add-ins” — choose from:
· Nuts: Pretzel pieces, potato sticks, or cheese cracker bits.
· Dried Fruit: Raisins, chopped dried apricots, or cranberries (tart fruit balances sweet chocolate well).
· Cereal: Crisp rice cereal, toasted oat cereal, or cornflakes.
· Candy: Mini marshmallows, crushed peppermints, or M&M’s.
· A Pinch of Flaky Sea Salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Prep: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt Chocolate: In a double boiler or microwave (using 30-second bursts, stirring between each), melt the chocolate until smooth.
- Mix: Stir your chosen “ragtag” mix-ins into the melted chocolate until everything is well-coated.
- Drop: Drop tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Top & Set: Sprinkle a tiny bit of flaky salt on each cluster if desired. Let set at room temperature or refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
- Store: Keep in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Version 2: Classic “Haystack” Clusters
These no-bake clusters are a vintage community cookbook staple and the epitome of ragtag charm.
Ingredients
· 1 (12 oz) bag semisweet or butterscotch chips
· 1 cup creamy peanut butter
· 8 oz chow mein noodles (the crisp kind in a can)
· 1 ½ cups salted peanuts or mixed nuts
· 1 ½ cups cornflakes, lightly crushed
Instructions
- Prep: Line baking sheets with parchment or wax paper.
- Melt: In a large saucepan over low heat (or in a large microwave-safe bowl), melt the chips and peanut butter together, stirring until completely smooth.
- Combine: Remove from heat. Immediately add the chow mein noodles, nuts, and cornflakes. Gently fold until everything is evenly coated. Be careful not to break the noodles too much.
- Drop: Working quickly, drop small mounds (about the size of a walnut) onto the prepared sheets using two forks.
- Set: Let clusters set at room temperature until firm, about 1-2 hours. You can speed this up by refrigerating for 30 minutes.
- Store: In an airtight container with layers separated by wax paper.
The “Ragtag” Philosophy & Pro-Tips
· The Formula: Think 1 part “glue” (chocolate/peanut butter/caramel) to 2 parts “crunch” (nuts, cereal, pretzels).
· Texture is Key: Always aim for a mix of textures—chewy, crunchy, crispy, smooth.
· Salty-Sweet Balance: A little salt (from pretzels, salted nuts, or a sprinkle on top) makes the sweet elements sing.
· No Waste: This is the perfect way to use up the last ½ cup of cereal in the box, the broken cookies at the bottom of the jar, or the ends of various chocolate bars.
· Gifting: These make wonderful, heartfelt gifts packed in mason jars or simple cellophane bags tied with ribbon.
Enjoy the creative, thrifty, and delicious process of making your own unique batch of Ragtag Candies!