There’s something irresistible about this crunchy, chocolatey treat that just screams festive cheer. This Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe is not only a classic holiday favorite but also incredibly simple to make, pushing all the right buttons for a sweet, crunchy snack that everyone will adore.

A clear round container filled with nine brown chocolate clusters wrapped individually in yellow paper cupcake liners arranged in a circular pattern. Below the container, on a tray lined with brown parchment paper, there are additional chocolate clusters scattered loosely. The surface underneath everything is a white marbled texture with a red and white checkered cloth partially visible on the side. The chocolate clusters have an uneven, bumpy texture, showing the rough shape of nuts or other ingredients inside. 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 Crackles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve been making these crackles every Christmas for years, and they never fail to bring smiles. The magic is in how easy they are to prepare, plus that perfect crunch paired with rich chocolate just melts away winter blues.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples to whip up this festive treat.
Quick Prep and Bake: You’ll have these ready in about 15 minutes, perfect for last-minute hosting emergencies.
Texture Play: Crunchy cornflakes combined with smooth, melted chocolate make for an addictive combo.
Customizable Fun: You can tweak toppings or chocolate types to fit your family’s taste buds easily.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a crucial role in delivering that perfect Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe experience—sticking the cereal together, adding sweetness, and coating everything in gooey chocolate goodness. Here’s why each one’s important and a little tip for picking them up.

Flat lay of a small pile of golden cornflake cereal, a stick of pale unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with packed light brown sugar, a tiny white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl with fine white salt, and a neat mound of dark semisweet chocolate chunks, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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: The star of the show! Look for classic unsweetened cornflakes with a firm crunch to hold up under the syrupy coating.
Unsalted butter: Melts evenly and adds a rich, creamy base without extra salt interfering.
Brown sugar: Gives a deep caramel flavor that’s more complex than white sugar, perfect for the holidays.
Vanilla extract: Just a hit brightens the whole mixture and rounds out the flavors.
Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the chocolate—don’t skip it!
Semisweet chocolate (chopped): Melts into a smooth coating; I prefer semisweet because it’s not too sweet but still festive.

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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

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you’re into different chocolates or want to sneak in some extra festive flavors, there’s room to play here.

Variation: I love swapping semisweet chocolate out for white or dark depending on my mood—try adding crushed peppermint or chopped nuts for an extra holiday twist.
Dietary swaps: Using dairy-free butter and chocolate can make this treat vegan-friendly without losing any of the magic.
Spice it up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the sugar-butter mix gives a warm, cozy note that’s perfect for Christmas.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe

A close-up top view of a cluster of golden brown cereal flakes coated with a sticky, shiny glaze, spread unevenly on a piece of brown parchment paper that covers a metal baking tray; a bright blue spatula with a smooth surface lies near the top right corner, contrasting with the warm tones of the coated flakes, all set on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Cornflakes and Oven

First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread those cornflakes out in an even layer. Getting the cornflakes evenly spread helps them bake uniformly and makes the final crackles nice and crispy.

Step 2: Make the Buttery Brown Sugar Syrup

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt your butter and brown sugar together, stirring constantly. This takes just a few minutes—once it’s melted and smooth, keep stirring for another 1–2 minutes to get that lovely caramelized taste. Then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. This mixture is the glue for all your crackles, so don’t rush it.

Step 3: Coat and Shape Your Crackles

Pour the warm syrup over your cornflakes and gently fold together with a spoon or spatula, making sure every flake gets coated without breaking them too much. Then, press the mixture down into a rough rectangle on your baking sheet, compacting it slightly so it holds together while baking. This firm shape helps when you break them into chunks later.

Step 4: Bake and Press

Bake the cornflakes for 5 minutes, then carefully press down the edges and center with a spatula or spoon—this keeps everything compact. Bake for another 5 minutes to let it set. Trust me, this pressing step makes a real difference in texture and how well the pieces hold their shape.

Step 5: Cool and Break into Chunks

Once baked, allow the cornflake slab to cool completely—this can take a bit, but it’s essential for firm, crunchy pieces. Then break into bite-sized chunks, ready for dipping into chocolate.

Step 6: Chocolate Dip and Set

Melt your chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring each time until smooth. Dip each cornflake chunk into the chocolate, ensuring it’s fully covered. Shake off any excess and place on parchment paper to set. If you want to add a little flair, sprinkle a tiny pinch of salt on top before the chocolate hardens—this contrast is pure magic.

Top Tip

From making these Christmas Cornflake Crackles over several years, I’ve learned a few things that really boost your success and enjoyment with this recipe.

Don’t rush cooling: Letting the baked cornflakes cool fully before breaking keeps the crunch and stops them from getting soggy.
Even chocolate melts better: Stir frequently while microwaving chocolate so it doesn’t burn or separate.
Press after first bake: Pressing the cornflakes after the first bake helps bind them better and gives a sturdier final piece.
Use parchment paper: Parchment ensures your crackles don’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.

How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe

Christmas Cornflake Crackles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the chocolate before it sets. It enhances the chocolate’s flavor beautifully. For a fun holiday touch, crushed candy canes or edible gold dust works wonders too if you’re hosting a party.

Side Dishes

These crackles are perfect served alongside a hot cup of cocoa or mulled wine. They also make a lovely paired sweet with Christmas cookies or a platter of fresh fruit to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I like to stack the crackles in pretty mason jars tied with a festive ribbon. At holiday parties, arranging them on a tiered dessert stand adds a festive flair and keeps things looking inviting and fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. The cornflake crackles keep their crunch nicely for about a week if kept cool and dry—perfect for nibbling over several days.

Freezing

You can freeze these by placing them in a freezer-safe container separated with parchment layers. When you want to enjoy them, just thaw at room temperature—though freezing and thawing a couple of times might soften the crunch a bit.

Reheating

The good news is this recipe doesn’t really need reheating. If you want to refresh the chocolate coating shine, briefly warm the pieces in a low oven (about 250°F) for a minute or two—just watch carefully to avoid melting the chocolate entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cereals instead of cornflakes?

While cornflakes provide the ideal crunch and texture, you can experiment with other cereals like rice krispies or crushed bran flakes, but the taste and texture will change noticeably.

How long can I store Christmas Cornflake Crackles?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these crackles stay fresh and crunchy for up to a week.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Cornflakes can sometimes contain gluten, so look for certified gluten-free cornflake cereal to keep this recipe gluten-free.

What’s the best chocolate to use for coating?

Semisweet chocolate works best for a balanced sweetness. You can also use milk, dark, or white chocolate depending on your preference, but avoid compound chocolates for best melting results.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe has become a little tradition in my family—simple to make, delightful to eat, and packed with festivity in every bite. I hope you’ll enjoy making and sharing these crunchy treats as much as I do. They're perfect for gifting, snacking, or just bringing that cozy Christmas feeling to your kitchen. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become part of your holiday rituals too.