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.

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 Crackle Bars Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe

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.

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: 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.

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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

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

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: 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

Christmas Cornflake Bars - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use other cereals besides cornflakes?

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.

How do I prevent the cornflakes from getting soggy?

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.

Can I make these bars nut-free?

Yes! The recipe is naturally nut-free — just ensure your chocolate and cornflakes are processed in nut-free facilities if allergies are a concern.

How long do these bars stay fresh?

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.