The magic of crispy cornflakes combined with sweet, melty chocolate makes this Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe an absolute holiday favorite. It’s one of those treats that’s quick to whip up yet feels so special and festive when you share it around the Christmas table.

A round clear plastic container holds nine small chocolate clusters, each resting in a yellow paper cupcake liner inside the container. The chocolate clusters are dark brown with a rough, bumpy texture showing bits of nuts or other ingredients inside them. Outside the container at the bottom left corner, more chocolate clusters are placed on a sheet of brown parchment paper on a silver-colored tray. The container and tray are on a white marbled surface, with a red and white checkered cloth partially visible under the container. 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 this Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe every year since I was a kid, and it never fails to bring smiles. It’s unbelievably simple, yet delivers on that perfect chewy crunch paired with rich chocolate — a total crowd-pleaser every single time.

Super Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry for this recipe—it’s that easy to throw together.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, it’s less than 30 minutes, perfect for those bustling holiday prep days.
Customizable: You can tweak the chocolate coating or add festive sprinkles to match your style perfectly.
Irresistibly Delicious: The combo of buttery, sweet cornflakes with smooth chocolate is simply addictive.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe shines because each ingredient plays a starring role — the cornflakes bring crunch and nostalgia, the buttery sugar syrup binds them with warmth, and the chocolate ties it all together with silky bliss. When shopping, aim for good quality chocolate for best flavor, and keep your cornflakes fresh and crisp.

Flat lay of a shallow pile of golden cornflake cereal flakes, a small square of unsalted butter on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with packed light brown sugar, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl holding fine white salt, and a mound of roughly chopped glossy dark semisweet chocolate pieces – all arranged symmetrically 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: Provides the crispy, airy crunch that’s central to the texture—you want flakes that aren’t stale to keep the crackles light.
Unsalted Butter: Melts smoothly with sugar, adding richness without any extra saltiness.
Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and helps create that sticky coating that holds the crackles together.
Vanilla Extract: A small splash boosts flavor, making the whole thing taste warm and homey.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and deepen overall taste.
Semisweet Chocolate: Melts beautifully for dipping, giving that glossy finish and rich chocolate hit.

📝

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 mixing things up when I make these crackles—to keep them fun and match whatever mood I’m in. Don’t hesitate to get creative; it’s the easiest recipe to personalize.

Add Nuts or Dried Fruit: One year I added chopped pistachios and dried cranberries before baking, which added a lovely festive twist with extra texture.
Try White or Dark Chocolate: I often melt white chocolate instead of semisweet, for a sweet, creamy contrast that pairs deliciously.
Sprinkles and Edible Glitter: Perfect for kids’ parties or when you want that extra festive sparkle on top of the chocolate.
Make It Vegan: Swap butter for coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate for a vegan-friendly version that’s just as yummy.

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

A close-up of a large, single layer of golden brown, glossy cereal flakes spread unevenly on a baking tray lined with light brown parchment paper. The flakes have a shiny coating and vary in size and texture, some are flat while others are slightly curled or broken. In the top right corner, a turquoise silicone spatula rests on the tray. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Cornflake Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread those cornflakes out evenly in a single layer—this allows every flake to get coated and baked just right. Trust me, this step makes all the difference to the crunch factor!

Step 2: Make That Golden Syrup

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Keep stirring—this is where the magic happens as the sugar dissolves and melts into a luscious syrup. After a minute or two, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt for that warming, balanced flavor.

Step 3: Coat and Bake

Pour the warm syrup gently over the cornflakes and stir carefully so you coat every flake without smashing them. Then, spread the mixture back onto the baking sheet into a neat rectangle and lightly press to bind. Bake for 5 minutes, give it another gentle press around edges and center, then bake another 5 minutes. This double bake helps crisp them up evenly without drying out.

Step 4: Cool & Break Apart

Let the baked cornflake slab cool completely on the tray—don’t rush this, or the chocolate dipping won’t work as nicely. Once cool, break into chunk-sized pieces by hand or with a gentle tap of a knife.

Step 5: Dip in Chocolate & Set

Melt your chosen chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between each to prevent burning. Dip each cornflake crackle chunk into the chocolate, shake off excess, then place on parchment to set. For a festive touch, I sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top while the chocolate is still soft—it cuts through the sweetness beautifully.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve found a few small tricks that make my Christmas Cornflake Crackles come out perfectly every time—and I’m excited to share them so your batch turns out just right!

Even Coating: Stir gently when mixing the syrup with cornflakes to avoid crushing flakes but still get every piece coated evenly.
Double Bake Helps Set Texture: Baking twice with a press in between ensures your crackles hold together without sogginess.
Chocolate Tempering Shortcut: Heat chocolate in short bursts and stir often — this keeps it smooth and prevents seizing.
Don’t Rush Cooling: Let your crackles cool fully before breaking or dipping to keep shapes intact.

How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe

Christmas Cornflake Crackles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often sprinkle flaky sea salt right after dipping the crackles in chocolate — that little hit of salt elevates the flavors so much. For parties, colored sugar or festive sprinkles add a cheerful, eye-catching touch that kids adore.

Side Dishes

Pair these crackles with rich eggnog or a spiced hot chocolate for a cozy holiday vibe. They also pop nicely alongside a cheese board to balance savory bites with a sweet crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or holiday get-togethers, I like stacking the Christmas Cornflake Crackles in festive tins or clear jars tied with ribbon. Layer them with parchment paper between to prevent sticking. It’s such a simple way to spread homemade cheer!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover crackles in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay crisp and delicious for up to a week, perfect for that midday holiday snack fix.

Freezing

You can freeze these crackles too—just pop them in a sealed freezer bag or container and thaw at room temp when you’re ready. They hold their texture surprisingly well after freezing.

Reheating

No need for reheating, really—these are best enjoyed as-is. But if you like your chocolate slightly melty, just leave them near a warm spot or give a quick 5-second zap in the microwave (watch closely!).

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cereals instead of cornflakes?

Yes! While cornflakes have the ideal crunch and size for this recipe, you can experiment with cereals like Rice Krispies or bran flakes, but the texture and binding may vary.

How do I prevent the cornflakes from getting soggy?

The key is the double baking step and ensuring you spread the mixture evenly over the baking sheet. Also, cool the crackles completely before breaking or dipping to keep them crisp.

Can I make these ahead for Christmas?

Absolutely! They store well at room temperature and can be made several days ahead. Just keep them in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

What chocolate works best for dipping?

Semisweet chocolate is traditional and balances the sweetness nicely, but you can use milk, dark, or white chocolate depending on your preference.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe has been a holiday staple in my family for as long as I can remember. The perfect balance of chewy, crunchy, and chocolaty is like a little festive hug in every bite. I know once you try it, it’ll become one of your go-to Christmas treats too—easy, nostalgic, and totally delicious. So grab your mixing bowl and treat yourself this season!