There’s something about the crunch and sweet nostalgia of cornflake treats that just hits the spot during the holidays. This Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe is a festive twist that’s easy to whip up and perfect for sharing (or not!). Trust me, once you try it, these bars will become one of your go-to Christmas sweets.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe feels like a cozy holiday hug. They strike the perfect balance between crunchy and chewy, with a rich chocolate finish that's simple enough for beginners but impressive enough for holiday guests. Plus, the recipe uses just a handful of everyday ingredients and little hands love helping out!
- Super Simple: Just 5 main ingredients and a few steps make it easy for a festive last-minute treat.
- Perfect Crunchy Texture: The cornflakes stay delightfully crisp even after baking.
- Chocolate Dip Upgrade: Dipping each bar in chocolate adds a heavenly finish that everyone adores.
- Festive and Shareable: Makes a great homemade gift or party snack everyone will rave about.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe plays a starring role. The crisp cornflakes provide that iconic crunch, while the brown sugar and butter create a buttery caramel coating that bakes up just right. The vanilla and salt balance the sweetness, and the chocolate dip takes these bars to a whole new level.

- Cornflake cereal: Choose classic flakes for the best texture; avoid frosted or sweetened varieties to keep the balance right.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the saltiness precisely; it also melts beautifully with the sugar.
- Brown sugar: Adds a rich molasses hint that makes these bars taste like Christmas itself.
- Vanilla extract: A splash brightens the flavors and deepens the caramel notes.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances sweetness and balances the chocolate coating.
- Semisweet chocolate: Melted and perfect for coating the bars, giving that luxurious finish without being overly sweet.
Make It Your Way
What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you love or have on hand. Whether you prefer darker chocolate, want to sneak in some nuts, or need a nut-free version, these bars welcome your personal touch.
- Variation: I’ve made these with chopped pecans mixed into the cornflakes before—adds a lovely crunch and festive flavor.
- Dairy-free option: Swap butter for coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips; they still taste amazing.
- Color splash: Adding a sprinkle of colored sugar or red and green sprinkles before the chocolate sets makes them really Christmas-y.
- Chocolate swap: Feel free to use milk chocolate or dark chocolate—it’s all good depending on your taste.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe

Step 1: Crisp Up The Cornflakes
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this step saved me so many times in preventing sticking. Spread out the cornflakes evenly; this helps them bake crisp and ensures every flake gets that caramel coating.
Step 2: Make the Buttery Caramel Coating
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt together the butter and brown sugar. Keep stirring to avoid burning, then once melted, let it bubble for 1-2 minutes while stirring gently—this cooks off that raw sugar taste and deepens the flavor. Take it off the heat and stir in vanilla and salt immediately. This step is crucial for rich flavor and smooth texture.
Step 3: Coat and Bake the Cornflakes
Pour the warm sugar mixture over the cornflakes and gently fold to coat all the flakes evenly without crushing them. Spread the coated flakes into a neat rectangle on the baking sheet and press gently to hold the shape. Bake for 5 minutes, then press the edges and center again to encourage the bars to hold together. Bake for another 5 minutes until golden and toasty.
Step 4: Cool and Break Apart
This part tests your patience, but let the bars cool completely before breaking them into chunks. Cooling helps them set and keeps the crunch intact instead of crumbling.
Step 5: Dip in Chocolate and Set
Melt the semisweet chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between each. Dip each cornflake chunk into the chocolate, shaking off the excess, then place on parchment to set. If you like, a tiny sprinkle of salt here gives a mouthwatering contrast to the sweetness.
Top Tip
From my experience making Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe year after year, these small adjustments really make the difference between good and great:
- Don’t crush your cornflakes: Be gentle when mixing and pressing the cereal so you keep that signature crunch.
- Watch your caramel carefully: Stirring continuously prevents burning and gives you that smooth, rich coating.
- Let bars fully cool before breaking: Cutting into warm bars can make them fall apart more easily.
- Use good quality chocolate: It melts smoother and tastes better—trust me, it’s worth it!
How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe

Garnishes
I love sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on the chocolate before it sets — it enhances the flavors and adds a fun little crunch. Sometimes I add crushed candy canes for an extra festive touch and a pop of color and minty brightness.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside a mug of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider for a cozy treat spread. They go surprisingly well with roasted nuts or a cheese platter if you want to mix sweet and savory at your holiday party.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve wrapped small clusters in clear cellophane tied with twine to give as sweet little gifts. Layering them in festive tins with wax paper between makes for an impressive homemade holiday present. For parties, I arrange them in a festive pattern on a pretty platter with holly sprigs and lights nearby.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover bars in an airtight container in a cool place. They stay crunchy for up to a week, but I usually find them disappearing faster than that. If your kitchen is warm, storing them in the fridge helps keep the chocolate solid.
Freezing
Freezing works well too—I place the bars in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They last up to three months this way. Thaw at room temperature; the texture stays surprisingly good.
Reheating
No need to reheat, honestly. These bars are best enjoyed as-is, but if you want to slightly warm them, a few seconds in the microwave (10-15 seconds) is perfect—not so long you melt the chocolate entirely!
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can experiment with cereals like Rice Krispies or bran flakes, but the texture and taste will be different. Cornflakes are preferred because they give the ideal crispy, light crunch.
Baking the coated cornflakes helps set the bars and keeps the flakes crisp. Also, let the bars cool completely before breaking and dipping in chocolate to maintain crunchiness.
Yes! The recipe is naturally nut-free — just ensure your chocolate and cornflakes are processed in nut-free facilities if allergies are a concern.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh and crunchy for up to one week. Refrigerate if your kitchen is warm to preserve the chocolate coating.
Final Thoughts
Making this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe always brings back the warmth and joy of holiday baking with family and friends. There’s something so satisfying about a simple recipe that delivers big flavor and festive fun. I hope you’ll enjoy making and sharing these crunchy, chocolatey bars as much as I do—they’re truly a little slice of Christmas happiness.
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Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Cornflake Crackle is a festive and crunchy treat combining sweet, buttery cornflakes baked to perfection and coated in rich semisweet chocolate. This easy no-bake candy is perfect for holiday gatherings and gift-giving.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 level cups cornflake cereal
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Cornflakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the 3 cups of cornflake cereal evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Make Butter and Sugar Mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the ½ cup unsalted butter and ½ cup packed brown sugar, stirring continuously. Once melted, continue stirring for 1-2 minutes to ensure the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Coat Cornflakes with Mixture: Pour the butter and sugar mixture over the cornflakes on the baking sheet. Gently stir with a spoon or rubber spatula to coat the cornflakes evenly. Spread the coated cornflakes out into a rectangle shape and press the cereal together gently.
- Bake the Cornflake Mixture: Bake the coated cornflakes in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove and gently press the cornflakes together again around the edges and center to compact. Return to oven and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Cool and Break Apart: Allow the baked cornflake crisp to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break it into chunks of desired size.
- Melt Chocolate: Place the chopped 12 oz semisweet chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Dip Cornflake Chunks in Chocolate: Dip each cornflake chunk into the melted chocolate, covering them completely. Shake off any excess chocolate and place the coated pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of salt on top. Let them rest until the chocolate sets completely.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the chocolate coating has set, serve the Christmas Cornflake Crackle as a delightful holiday treat.
Notes
- This recipe is an easy 5-ingredient festive candy perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Use semisweet chocolate for balanced sweetness; milk chocolate can be used for a sweeter version.
- Ensure to press the cornflakes together firmly before baking to help the mixture hold shape.
- Let the chocolate set at room temperature or in the refrigerator for faster results.
- A pinch of salt on top enhances the chocolate flavor but is optional.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 130 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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