This little dessert has the kind of thrifty ingenuity that reminds me of Midwestern church suppers and pantry suppers on a hot summer day, when a clever cook could turn the plainest shelf ingredients into something folks talked about long after the plates were cleared. Using dry ramen noodles in a sweet baked treat may sound unusual at first, but they toast up with a delightful crunch beneath melted chocolate and a rich, buttery coating, making an easy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day dessert that comes together with very little fuss.
Serve this warm in small squares or spoonfuls with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a cold glass of milk. It also pairs nicely with fresh strawberries or sliced bananas if you want to soften the sweetness a touch, and for coffee drinkers, a hot mug alongside makes this simple dessert feel like a real treat at the end of supper.
4-Ingredient Oven Baked National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
2 packages dry uncooked ramen noodles, seasoning packets discarded
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an oven-safe glass casserole dish.
2. Break the dry ramen noodles into bite-size pieces right into the casserole dish, spreading them out in an even layer.
3. Drizzle the melted butter and sweetened condensed milk evenly over the noodles, then sprinkle the chocolate chips across the top.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chocolate is melted and the noodles are lightly golden around the edges.
5. Let the dessert cool for 10 to 15 minutes so it can set slightly, then scoop or cut into portions and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Peanut Butter Touch: If you want a flavor that children and grown folks both love, scatter a few peanut butter chips in place of some of the chocolate chips. It gives the dessert a rich cookie-like taste and pairs especially well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutty Crunch: A small handful of chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking adds another layer of texture and an old-fashioned dessert flavor that feels right at home in a country kitchen.
Watch the Browning: Since ramen noodles can toast quickly, start checking a little early if your oven runs hot. You want the edges golden and the chocolate melted, not dark and bitter.
Best Texture Tip: This dessert is especially nice served slightly warm the day it is made, when the chocolate is still soft and the noodles keep some of their crunch. If you refrigerate leftovers, warm them briefly before serving to bring back that fresh-baked charm.