Crackles with a cozy crunch, a touch of buttery sweetness, and that irresistible chocolate dip — this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe brings holiday magic right into your kitchen. These treats are delightfully simple but pack a festive punch that’s perfect for sharing with friends or sneaking a few moments by yourself.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, I adore this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe because it’s the perfect blend of crunchy, chewy, and chocolaty — all bundled in one festive bite. It’s quick to make, doesn’t require fancy ingredients, and tastes like a holiday tradition you can create yourself.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these staples in your pantry already, so no last-minute grocery store runs.
- Fun Texture: The cornflakes provide a satisfying crunch while the chocolate adds that melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are great wrapped up in festive tins or cellophane bags—everyone loves a homemade treat.
- Kid-Friendly and Easy: Kids can help with mixing and dipping, making this a sweet bonding activity during the holidays.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in the Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role to get that perfect balance of flavors and textures. I always recommend using fresh cornflakes for the best crunch, and high-quality chocolate to keep things indulgent but straightforward.
- Cornflake Cereal: Gives the signature crispy, crunchy texture and lightness to the cookies.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps the sugar caramelize slightly for a deeper flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Provides that slight molasses note and chewiness you want in the crackles.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a little boost of warm sweetness to elevate the whole batch.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavors beautifully.
- Semisweet Chocolate: Perfect for dipping – melts smoothly and complements the buttery, crunchy cornflakes.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe to match different tastes or make it a bit more festive. Don’t hesitate to tweak the chocolate type or toss in some extras to make it truly yours.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap the semisweet chocolate for white chocolate and sprinkle crushed peppermint candy on top—kids adore the added crunch and festive flair.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter and dark vegan chocolate for a great alternative that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
- Nutty Twist: Add toasted chopped nuts into the cornflake mixture before baking for an extra crunch and flavor depth.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep & Toast the Cornflakes
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out your cornflakes evenly on that sheet—this step toasting them just a bit really amps up the crunch and flavor, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Make the Butter & Brown Sugar Mixture
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together, stirring constantly. Once everything’s melted, keep stirring for another 1-2 minutes until it’s glossy and smooth. Take it off the heat, then stir in vanilla extract and salt for a flavor boost you’ll notice in every mouthful.
Step 3: Coat & Bake the Cornflakes
Pour the warm butter mixture over the cornflakes and gently fold everything together so each flake is coated in that sticky, buttery goodness. Use a spoon or spatula to press the mixture into a rectangle shape on your baking sheet—this helps the pieces stick together while baking.
Bake for 5 minutes, then give the mixture another gentle press with your spatula to keep everything packed together, especially on the edges and center. Pop it back in the oven for 5 more minutes. This double bake makes sure your crackles will hold their shape but stay delightfully crisp.
Step 4: Cool & Break Apart
Allow the cornflake slab to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break it into chunks by hand — this is the fun part, as you can make them whatever size you like, from bite-sized nibbles to chunkier pieces perfect for dipping.
Step 5: Melt & Dip in Chocolate
Place chopped semisweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between to prevent scorching. Once smooth, dip each cornflake chunk into the chocolate, making sure it’s well-coated. Give them a gentle shake to remove excess, then place on parchment paper to set. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top if you want a little savory contrast that makes these cookies truly pop.
Top Tip
I’ve made these Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe dozens of times, and a few tricks have made a big difference in results. The double baking and gentle pressing step is key—it ensures the cornflakes stick together but don’t get too soggy. Also, letting the cookies cool completely before breaking and dipping makes the whole process less messy and more fun!
- Double Bake for Texture: Baking twice with a gentle press keeps the crackles nicely bonded yet crunchy.
- Cool Completely: Don’t rush breaking or dipping—the crunch is worth the wait.
- Melt Chocolate Carefully: Use intervals and stir often to keep a smooth, glossy finish without burning.
- Squeeze Slightly on Edges: Gently pressing the edges before the second bake prevents breakage when you handle them later.
How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple— a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after dipping balances the sweetness wonderfully. For a festive touch, sometimes I add crushed candy canes or colorful nonpareils before the chocolate sets. They look pretty and add a little holiday cheer!
Side Dishes
These crackles pair excellently with a steaming cup of hot cocoa or a fresh cup of coffee. If you’re serving them at a holiday party, I love placing them alongside a cheese board with dried fruits and nuts for an unexpected but delightful combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or a holiday dessert table, I like to stack the crackles in small clear jars tied with festive ribbons. Another idea is to use decorative paper cupcake liners and arrange the cookies on a tiered stand — it makes the whole spread look inviting and elegant.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep nicely for up to a week, though to be honest, they rarely last that long around here! Keeping them sealed helps maintain their crispness and chocolate coating.
Freezing
Freezing these cookies works surprisingly well. I lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid before transferring to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature—no sogginess, just fresh, crisp crackles.
Reheating
If you want to refresh their crunch, pop the cookies into a warm (not hot) oven for a few minutes. Avoid microwaving since it can soften the crisp texture. This little step perks them right back up as if they were freshly made.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While cornflakes give the classic crunch and flavor, you can try crispy rice cereal or even bran flakes for a different texture; just keep in mind the coating and baking times might vary slightly.
You’re looking for the cornflakes to be lightly toasted and the butter-sugar mixture to bubble and set around the edges. After the second bake, the crispiness should be solid enough that the slab holds together when cooled. Pressing gently between bakes helps with this.
Microwaving in 30-second intervals is your best bet. Stir well between each session to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, using a double boiler on the stove also works great and gives you more control over the melting process.
Definitely! These cookies actually benefit from a bit of rest time to set fully. You can prepare them a day or two in advance, store in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh and crunchy for your holiday celebrations.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe is one of those simple homemade pleasures that never fails to bring smiles—and a little chocolatey crunch—to the season. I always look forward to making this with friends and family because it’s quick, forgiving, and so rewarding. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own holiday tradition!
Print
Christmas Cornflake Crackle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Cornflake Crackle is a delightful holiday treat featuring crunchy cornflakes coated in a buttery, sweet syrup, baked to perfection, and dipped in rich semisweet chocolate. This festive snack is perfect for sharing during the holiday season and offers a delicious balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Cereal
- 3 level cups cornflake cereal
Syrup Mixture
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Chocolate Coating
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Cornflakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out the cornflake cereal evenly on the prepared baking sheet to create a single layer.
- Make Syrup Mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and brown sugar together, stirring continuously to prevent burning. Once completely melted and combined, continue stirring for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Coat Cornflakes: Pour the butter and sugar mixture over the cornflakes on the baking sheet and gently stir to coat all the cereal evenly. Use a spoon or rubber spatula to spread and press the cornflakes into a compact rectangle shape, pressing them together gently to help them hold.
- Bake the Coated Cornflakes: Bake the coated cornflakes in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Remove the baking sheet and gently press the cereal again around the edges and center to compact it further. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Cool and Break Up: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cornflake crackle cool completely on the parchment paper. Once cool, break the large rectangle into chunks or bite-sized pieces.
- Melt Chocolate: Place the chopped semisweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt it in 30-second increments, stirring between each session until smooth and fully melted.
- Dip Cornflake Chunks: Dip each cornflake crackle chunk into the melted chocolate, fully coating it and gently shaking off any excess chocolate. Place the coated pieces back onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Set the Chocolate: Allow the chocolate-coated crackles to rest at room temperature until the chocolate sets and hardens. For enhanced flavor, sprinkle a pinch of salt on top while the chocolate is still soft, if desired. Serve and enjoy your Christmas Cornflake Crackle treats!
Notes
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Pressing the cornflakes firmly before baking helps them stick together and creates bars instead of loose clusters.
- To melt chocolate smoothly, avoid overheating by stirring frequently during microwaving.
- You can substitute semisweet chocolate with dark or milk chocolate depending on your preference.
- Sprinkling a pinch of salt on top enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg

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