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.

The image shows chocolate-covered treats on a baking tray lined with light brown parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface with a red and white cloth. The focus is on one treat that is cut in half and stacked, showing two layers: a thick layer of dark brown chocolate coating on the outside and a golden, crumbly textured inside layer. The tray is full of similar chocolate-covered treats with irregular shapes, all with the same glossy dark brown chocolate surface. The background is softly blurred to keep attention on the cut treat in the front. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

A close-up shot shows a small cluster-shaped chocolate candy held between a person's thumb and forefinger. The candy has two main layers: a thick, dark brown chocolate outer coating with a rough texture, and a dense, orange-yellow crumbly inner filling with a grainy texture. The background is filled with similar dark chocolate clusters placed on brown parchment paper on a baking tray, all set on a white marbled surface. A woman's hand is blurred in the background, reaching towards the tray. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of a small heap of golden cornflake cereal, a stick of pale unsalted butter, a neat pile of packed light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a tiny white bowl with coarse white salt crystals, and a mound of chopped glossy semisweet chocolate pieces, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Christmas Cornflake Cookies - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use other cereals besides cornflakes in this recipe?

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.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

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.

What’s the best way to melt chocolate without burning it?

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.

Can I make these cookies ahead for Christmas parties?

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!