There’s something incredibly nostalgic and comforting about the Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe. It’s that perfect blend of crunchy cornflakes wrapped in sticky, buttery caramel and finally dipped in rich, melty chocolate — a treat that feels like holiday magic in every bite.

The image shows chocolate-covered treats on a baking sheet with parchment paper. The main focus is on one piece broken in half, revealing three layers: a rough orange-colored inside, a thick dark brown layer of chocolate coating, and a thin crunchy outer shell around the orange part. The broken treat pieces have a slightly bumpy texture and the chocolate looks smooth and shiny. Around the main piece, there are more chocolate-covered treats, some blurry in the background. The surface under the sheet has a white and red checkered cloth, on a white marbled texture. 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 made countless holiday treats, but hands down, this Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe has a special spot on my list. It’s ridiculously easy, delivers that perfect chewy crunch, and honestly, it brings back so many warm memories of baking with family.

Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything in your kitchen already, making it a breeze to whip up.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, this recipe barely takes 30 minutes — keeping your holiday prep stress-free.
Kid-Friendly: The whole family will love getting involved, especially when dipping those crackles in chocolate.
Perfect Holiday Gift: Packaged in little jars or festive boxes, these crackles make delightful homemade gifts.

A close-up view of a small chocolate-covered treat held between a woman's thumb and forefinger. The treat has two layers: a thick dark brown chocolate outer layer with a rough texture and a golden yellow crumbly inner layer that looks soft and moist. In the background, there are more similar treats on a baking tray with parchment paper, all blurred out. The surface beneath is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe plays a crucial part to achieve that perfect balance — crunchy, buttery, sweet, and chocolatey. When shopping, look for quality chocolate and fresh cornflakes for the best results.

Flat lay of a small pile of golden cornflake cereal, a stick of unsalted butter with a smooth surface, a small white bowl filled with packed brown sugar, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl containing fine salt crystals, a handful of semisweet chocolate chunks with a glossy texture, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a simple white ceramic plate and bowls, 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: The crunchy base that holds everything together; choose regular, not sugar-coated varieties for best caramel adhesion.
Unsalted Butter: Gives richness and helps melt the sugar into a smooth caramel; unsalted lets you control the saltiness better.
Brown Sugar: Adds depth and a subtle molasses flavor, making the caramel more complex than plain white sugar.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash brightens the caramel and balances out the sweetness.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness from feeling one-dimensional.
Semisweet Chocolate: Melts over the crackles to add a luscious finish — I prefer chopped blocks for easier melting over chips.

📝

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 like to experiment with this Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe by adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or swapping out semisweet chocolate for dark chocolate for a richer flavor. Feel free to get creative — it's a flexible, forgiving recipe.

Variation: One year, I tossed in some chopped nuts with the cornflakes before baking for an extra crunch. It was a hit at the office party.
Gluten-Free Option: Make sure your cornflakes are labeled gluten-free for sensitive guests — the rest of the recipe naturally fits.
Seasonal Twists: Add peppermint extract with the vanilla for a festive flavor twist that’s perfect for Christmas.

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

Step 1: Prep & Toast the Cornflakes

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the cornflakes evenly across the sheet so they toast just a little bit. This extra step adds a subtle nuttiness that makes the final crackles extra tasty.

Step 2: Make the Caramel Mixture

While the cornflakes toast, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat in a saucepan. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture bubbles for 1-2 minutes. Don’t walk away here — stirring helps prevent burning and ensures a smooth caramel.

Step 3: Combine & Bake

Remove the caramel from heat and stir in vanilla and salt. Pour it over the cornflakes and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Press the mixture firmly into a rectangle on the parchment — this helps the crackles stick together when baked. Bake for 5 minutes, then press down again and bake for another 5 minutes. This gives it a perfect chewy crunch.

Step 4: Cool & Dip in Chocolate

Once cooled, break the crackles into chunks. Melt the chocolate in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring after each. Dip each chunk fully in chocolate, shake off the excess, and place on parchment paper to set. I love sprinkling a tiny pinch of sea salt on top before the chocolate firms for an irresistible salty-sweet finish.

Top Tip

From my many attempts, a few tricks really boosted the success of this Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe, especially if it’s your first time making caramel treats.

Don’t Skip Stirring the Caramel: Constant stirring prevents burning and gives that luscious smooth caramel texture.
Press Twice in Oven: After the first baking, press the mixture again to compact the crackles before the second round — it makes a huge difference in how well they hold together.
Use Parchment Paper: It saves you from sticky disasters and makes cleanup super easy.
Chocolate Dipping Technique: Use a fork or tongs to dip and tap off excess chocolate to avoid puddles on your tray.

How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe

Christmas Cornflake Crackles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle just a touch of flaky sea salt or even some crushed candy canes on the chocolate before it sets. It not only looks festive but adds a delightful texture and flavor contrast.

Side Dishes

This treat pairs beautifully with a warm cup of peppermint tea or hot cocoa. For holiday parties, I serve it alongside gingerbread cookies or spiced nuts to keep the festive flavors flowing.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting or parties, I like to stack the crackles in pretty jars layered with wax paper or arrange them on decorative platters with sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly for that Christmas vibe. Add a ribbon, and you’ve got an instant conversation starter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover crackles in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay crunchy and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect for nibbling over several days.

Freezing

Freezing works like a charm if you want to make these ahead for the holidays. Just layer the crackles between sheets of parchment inside a freezer-safe container. When ready, thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours before serving.

Reheating

To refresh crispy crackles after a few days, just warm them briefly in a low oven (about 250°F) for 5-7 minutes. It brings back that freshly baked crunchy-goodness without melting the chocolate.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cereal instead of cornflakes?

You can experiment with cereals like Rice Krispies or bran flakes, but keep in mind that cornflakes provide a unique crunch and texture that pairs best with the caramel coating in this recipe.

How do I prevent the caramel from burning?

Make sure to stir continuously over medium heat and don’t let it boil too vigorously. Removing from heat as soon as the sugar dissolves and bubbles for a couple of minutes helps avoid burning while achieving the perfect consistency.

Can I make these crackles dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute the unsalted butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. The texture might vary slightly, but it will still taste delicious.

What’s the best way to melt the chocolate?

Melting chocolate in short bursts of 30 seconds in the microwave, stirring between each, prevents overheating and keeps the chocolate smooth and glossy. Alternatively, use a double boiler on the stovetop for more control.

Final Thoughts

To me, this Christmas Cornflake Crackles Recipe is pure holiday joy wrapped in a crunchy, chocolatey hug. It’s the kind of treat that brings people together, whether you’re baking with family or sharing at a festive party. I hope you’ll give it a try — once you do, I bet it’ll become a holiday tradition for you too.