Clodhopper Candy
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Clodhopper Candy is a simple, no-bake sweet, salty, and crunchy treat. It comes together quickly and requires no special tools. This is a good recipe for holidays, parties, or a quick homemade treat.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Clodhopper Candy is a no-bake treat made with graham crackers and cashews coated in melted white chocolate.
- Originally created by Edith Baker, it gained popularity when her grandson sold them in 1996.
- This recipe is quick, easy, and uses simple pantry ingredients, making it ideal for sharing or gifting.
- To make Clodhopper Candy, melt the chocolate, combine with ingredients, drop onto parchment, and let dry.
- You can customize the recipe by using different nuts or chocolate types, and it stores well in an airtight container.
What is Clodhopper Candy?
Clodhopper candy is a no-bake candy made by coating graham cracker pieces and cashews with melted white chocolate and letting it set until firm. It is known for its sweet, crisp texture and ease of preparation. The candy is usually broken into chunks and served as a snack, dessert, or homemade gift.
How did Clodhopper Candy originate?
Edith Baker originally made clodhopper treats for her family in Winnipeg, Canada. She made them with graham crackers and chocolate. In 1996, Edith’s grandson, Chris Emery, and his high school friend, Larry Finnson, sold Clodhoppers out of their garage, which Mrs. Baker made. In 1998, they signed a distribution contract with Walmart.
The Kraves Candy Co then marketed clodhoppers. In 2006, the brand and its recipes were sold to Brookside Foods, which was then acquired by Hershey in 2011.
Home cooks later started making copycat versions because the candy was easy to recreate with melted chocolate and simple pantry items, which helped it spread as a homemade treat. (source)
Other homemade candy similar to clodhoppers is Chocolate Cheerio Clusters, Salty Sweet Crockpot Candy, and Chocolate Pretzel Toffee Bites.
Why you’ll ❤️ this Clodhopper Candy because
🎉Stores well for later
🎉Quick and easy to make
🎉Uses simple pantry items
🎉Works well for sharing
🎉Keeps its crunch
How to Make Clodhopper Candy
Time needed: 20 minutes
Prep time is just a few minutes for this easy snack. However, you must allow time for the treats to dry. This can take up to 30 minutes, depending on the temperature and humidity.
This Clodhopper Candy uses white chocolate, graham cracker pieces, and cashews.
- Prepare your ingredients.
Break the graham cracker sheets into bite-sized pieces. Roughly chop the cashews into pieces. Add them to a large bowl.
- Melt your white chocolate.
The easiest way to melt chocolate is in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. I prefer a glass bowl with a handle. Start with 45 seconds, remove the chocolate, and stir. Then heat for 30 seconds each time until the chocolate is melted. You’ll want to lay out parchment paper on the counter and have everything ready before you start mixing.
- Combine the ingredients.
Pour the melted white chocolate over the broken crackers and cashews and combine with a spatula. Work quickly. The chocolate will cool and begin to set.
- Drop the Clodhoppers.
The original candy was spread out to dry then broken apart. I prefer to drop them into small pieces to dry. Either way will work. I think making individual pieces is prettier. For this, use two tablespoons or soup spoons to spoon out and drop the candy.
- Let dry and package.
Now is the hardest step. Let the candy dry. If you need to speed up this process, you can place them in the fridge for a few minutes, but they set relatively quickly on the countertop.
To store, store in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack layers, place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers.
Cooking tips and substitutions
White chocolate-covered graham crackers and cashews are the original clodhopper candy. But here are suggestions for variations.
- The easiest way to melt white chocolate is in a microwave, using short bursts and stirring often.
- I buy cashew pieces and use them as is.
- Swap cashews for peanuts or almonds if needed.
- You can substitute gluten-free graham crackers, if needed.
- Use dark or milk chocolate if you prefer a less-sweet treat.
- The number of servings depends on the size you make your candy. I got 36 pieces.
- Use a good-quality white chocolate such as Ghirardelli or Lindt.
- I break the crackers over a mesh strainer so that the small crumbs fall through. This allows for a prettier candy. You can add the small crumbs, the candy will look a little ‘dirty’ but it’ll be just as wonderful.
Clodhopper Candy FAQ
In a single layer or divided with parchment paper in an airtight container.
There’s not really anything you can do to fix burnt (seized) chocolate. Unfortunately, you need to start over.
Yes, but you’ll have a different flavor profile.
Yes, just use the same weight.
They won’t be around long enough to be concerned about it. 😂 Seriously, probably a couple of weeks.
Professional chocolatiers never recommend freezing chocolate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Clodhopper Candy is a delicious, no-bake recipe that is easy to make and easy to share. It’s great for last-minute guests, gifts, holidays, or just because! Once you make it, it will become a repeat favorite.
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Equipment
- spoons or spring release scoop
Ingredients
- 16 ounces white chocolate
- 1 cup cashews chopped into pieces
- 2 cups (1 sleeve) graham crackers broken into pieces
Instructions
Prepare your ingredients.
- Break the graham cracker sheets into bite-sized pieces. Roughly chop the cashews into pieces. Add them to a large bowl.1 cup cashews, 2 cups (1 sleeve) graham crackers
Melt your white chocolate.
- The easiest way to melt chocolate is in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. I prefer a glass bowl with a handle. Start with 45 seconds, remove the chocolate, and stir. Then heat for 30 seconds each time until the chocolate is melted. You’ll want to lay out parchment paper on the counter and have everything ready before you start mixing.16 ounces white chocolate
Combine the ingredients.
- Pour the melted white chocolate over the broken crackers and cashews and combine with a spatula. Work quickly. The chocolate will cool and begin to set.
Drop the Clodhoppers.
- The original candy was spread out to dry then broken apart. I prefer to drop them into small pieces to dry. Either way will work. I think making individual pieces is prettier. For this, use two tablespoons or soup spoons to spoon out and drop the candy.
Let dry and package.
- Now is the hardest step. Let the candy dry. If you need to speed up this process, you can place them in the fridge for a few minutes, but they set relatively quickly on the countertop.
- To store, store in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack layers, place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers.
Notes
- The number of servings depends on the size you make your candy. I got 36 pieces.
- I recommend using a good-quality white chocolate such as Ghirardelli or Lindt.
- I break the crackers over a mesh strainer so that the small crumbs fall through. This allows for a prettier candy. You can add the small crumbs, the candy will look a little ‘dirty’ but it’ll be just as wonderful.
- I buy cashew pieces and use them as is.