Dark Chocolate Noodle Clusters

July 15, 2012 | No Comments

Dark Chocolate Noodle Clusters

Today was a doozy of a day. I did not get much sleep last night, and my girls got up at 9am. They were just so busy and noisy, I had a headache by 9:30am. By 10am I was mixing up a batch of dark chocolate noodle clusters, while my girls had a mini snack of chow mein noodles.

Chow Mein Noodles

The first time I had ate these delicious noodle clusters was over a friend’s house when I was away at school. I ran across the recipe many many years later in a newspaper flyer, and went out a purchased some chow mein noodles, and chocolate chips right away. Low and behold, on the back of the package of chow mein noodles, was the original recipe.

Organic Dark Chocolate Chips

Now I always have chow mein noodles, dark chocolate chips and butterscotch chips on hand for emergency cravings. The clipping from the newspaper has since been long lost, but it makes no difference, because the original recipe is still on the back of the package of chow mein noodles.

Butterscotch Chips

My version of this no bake cookie has evolved over the years, and changes every time I make it, depending on what I crave, as well as what I have in my pantry. Sometimes I add unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut, if I am in the mood for a Mounds Bar. I might add some dried raisins, cranberries or cherries, if I am craving a Chunky Bar. If I have some natural nut butter on hand, I will throw in 1-2 Tbsps to make them taste a bit like Reese’s Peanut  Butter Cups.  Nuts or seeds are always a crunchy,  healthy addition. The constants for this recipe remain the dark chocolate, because it is a health food, and the sprinkle of sea salt, or kosher salt at the end, to enhance the flavor of the chocolate.

Dark Chocolate Noodle Clusters Plate

This is most often a sweet treat for myself, but sometimes, if my girls have extra good behavior, I share with them. I always keep these cluster cookies in the freezer during the Summertime, because they melt quickly. It is so easy and convenient to double the recipe and just take them out whenever I need a chocolate fix. Boy oh boy, did I need a chocolate fix today.  I must say, I was feeling much better by 11:30am, and by 12 noon, I was right as rain. Thank you noodle clusters.

Dark Chocolate Noodle Clusters
Recipe Type: Dessert
Author: Jillian
Ingredients
  • 2 cups chow mein noodles
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
  • sea salt or kosher salt for sprinkling
Instructions
  1. Melt chips in microwave in 30 second increments stirring every 20 seconds to make sure not to burn
  2. Add chow mein noodles
  3. Stir until all chow mein noodles are coated with melted chips
  4. Add other possible additions at this time, and stir to coat
  5. Drop by Tbsp in parchment covered sheet tray
  6. Sprinkle sea salt over the top of the clusters
  7. Place sheet tray in the freezer for a half hour or refrigerator for two