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Ragtag Candies

These no‐bake Ragtag Candies are a fun, adaptable treat that brings together sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy textures in every bite. The recipe combines melted chocolate, peanut butter, and a motley mix of marshmallows, pretzels, cookies, and nuts to create a delightful snack you can customize based on what you have in your pantry.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 cups small marshmallows
  • 1 cup crushed salty pretzels
  • 1 cup mini butter cookies or graham cracker pieces
  • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts or mixed nuts
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut optional
  • 1 teaspoon non-alcoholic vanilla extract
  • pinch salt

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Heat-safe bowl
  • Spatula
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

  1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup white chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Remove from heat, then stir in 1 teaspoon non-alcoholic vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
  2. In a large heat-safe bowl, mix together 2 cups small marshmallows, 1 cup crushed salty pretzels, 1 cup mini butter cookies or graham cracker pieces, 1/2 cup chopped peanuts or mixed nuts, and 1/2 cup shredded coconut (if using).
  3. Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and gently fold everything together with a spatula, ensuring each piece is nicely coated.
  4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon small mounds of the mixture onto it. You can shape them as rustic clusters or more uniform pieces, according to your preference.
  5. Allow the candies to cool completely at room temperature or place them in the refrigerator to firm up quicker. Enjoy as a treat on their own or paired with your favorite beverage.

Notes

This recipe is incredibly forgiving and versatile – if you don’t have pretzels on hand, try potato chips instead, and if you’re not a fan of peanuts, any nut or even a nut-free variant works. The coconut is optional, so omit it if you prefer. These candies are best enjoyed fresh, although you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prolong their shelf life. They pair wonderfully with a cup of strong coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.