🍫 Chocolate Ragtag Candies (Chocolate Haystacks)
Chocolate Ragtag Candies, often called Chocolate Haystacks, are an easy no-bake candy made by mixing melted chocolate with crunchy ingredients like chow mein noodles, peanuts, or cereal. The mixture is dropped into little clusters that look like haystacks.
🛒 Ingredients (Makes about 20–24 clusters)
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips (optional but classic)
- 2 cups chow mein noodles
- 1 cup salted peanuts
Optional add-ins:
- Mini marshmallows
- Shredded coconut
- Rice cereal
🥣 Instructions
1️⃣ Melt the chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in 30-second intervals, stirring each time until smooth.
2️⃣ Mix ingredients
Stir in chow mein noodles and peanuts until everything is coated.
3️⃣ Form clusters
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4️⃣ Let them set
Allow to cool at room temperature or refrigerate 20–30 minutes until firm.
🍬 Tips
- Use peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch for a different flavor.
- White chocolate makes a sweeter version.
- Keep stored in an airtight container up to 1 week.
Why They’re Called “Ragtag”
Because the candy is made from a mix of whatever crunchy ingredients are around, giving them a rough, “ragged” haystack look.
If you’d like, I can also show you:
- The 3-ingredient Amish haystack candy recipe
- A vintage 1940s church cookbook version
- Peanut butter haystacks that only take 10 minutes to make.
