Ragtag Candies

“Ragtag Candies” isn’t the name of a widely recognized or classic candy recipe, but it evokes a charming idea: a homemade candy made from a playful, improvisational mix of leftover ingredients—like popcorn, nuts, pretzels, cereal, or broken cookies—bound together with a sweet syrup or chocolate. It’s the candy equivalent of “everything but the kitchen sink!”

Perfect — that’s already shaping up into a Ragtag Candies recipe! 🎉
It looks like you’re aiming for a sweet-and-salty candy cluster or bark. Here’s how you can turn those ingredients into something crunchy, fun, and addictive:

🍬 Ragtag Candies (Sweet & Salty Clusters)

Ingredients

• 1 (12 oz) bag white chocolate chips

• 4 cups Rice Krispie cereal

• 3 cups pretzel sticks (slightly crushed into 1–2 inch pieces)

• 1 ½ cups roasted peanuts

Instructions

1. Prep: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Melt chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips in 20–30 second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth. (Or melt over a double boiler.)

3. Mix the “ragtag” crunch: In a big mixing bowl, combine Rice Krispies, pretzels, and peanuts. Pour melted white chocolate over the top and stir gently until everything is evenly coated.

4. Form candies:

   • For clusters: Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the parchment paper.

   • For bark: Spread the mixture evenly across the sheet into a single layer.

5. Set: Let sit at room temperature until firm (or chill in the fridge for faster setting).

6. Break & serve: If you made bark, break it into chunks. Store in an airtight container.

✨ Optional add-ins for extra fun: mini marshmallows, M&Ms, dried cranberries, or sprinkles — to really lean into the “ragtag” idea.

Would you like me to write this up as clusters (bite-sized candies) or as bark (sheet that you break apart)?