There’s something truly magical about mixing crispy cornflakes with caramel and chocolate during the holidays, which is exactly why I adore sharing this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe with you. It’s a festive treat that’s crunchy, sweet, and just downright irresistible.

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 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

I first made this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe when I needed a quick festive snack that could satisfy everyone—from kids to adults. The way the buttery caramel seeps into the flakes, combined with the rich chocolate coating, guarantees a crowd-pleaser every time.

Simple Ingredients: You only need 5 key ingredients that are probably already in your pantry or easy to find.
Fast to Make: From start to finish, it takes less than 30 minutes—perfect for last-minute holiday prep.
Crunchy & Chewy Texture: The cornflakes stay wonderfully crunchy while the caramel adds just the right amount of chewiness.
Perfect for Gifts: These bars make delightful homemade gifts or party treats that everyone will remember.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe brings together classic flavors and textures that balance each other beautifully. Each element plays its part, from crunchy to silky to sweet, and simple ingredients make the whole experience approachable.

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: The stars of the show, providing airy crunch and that nostalgic breakfast-cereal taste with a perfect surface for caramel to coat.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create a luscious caramel when melted with brown sugar.
Brown sugar: Gives a deep, molasses-like sweetness that balances the chocolate and cornflakes perfectly.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, aromatic notes.
Salt: Just a pinch to round out the sweetness and elevate the caramel’s complexity.
Semisweet chocolate: The final coating that binds everything, offering smoothness and a touch of bittersweet depth.

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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

Every year, I like to tweak this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe based on who I’m sharing it with. Feel free to swap out chocolate for white or milk chocolate, or sprinkle some festive toppings before the chocolate sets—you can really make it your own!

Variation: Once, I added chopped nuts into the mix before baking and it added such a lovely crunch and nutty flavor that my family couldn’t stop reaching for more.
Dietary Mod: If you want a dairy-free version, try using coconut oil instead of butter and dairy-free chocolate chips for the coating.
Seasonal Changes: For a peppermint twist, add crushed candy canes on top of the chocolate before it sets for a burst of holiday spirit.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars 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 base with crisp cornflakes

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, spread your cornflakes out evenly—this gives you that perfect crunchy canvas for the caramel. I find that gently but evenly spreading them helps the coating stick better later on.

Step 2: Melt butter and sugar to make luscious caramel

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together, stirring constantly. This step needs some attention—stirring keeps it from burning—but once it’s melted and glossy, continue stirring for another 1-2 minutes to deepen the caramel flavor. Then, take it off the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. The aroma at this stage is something I look forward to every holiday season!

Step 3: Coat the cornflakes and bake

Pour the caramel mixture over your cornflakes and gently fold it in with a spatula or spoon, making sure every flake gets coated but without crushing them. Then, press the mixture evenly into a rectangle on the baking sheet. Pop it into the oven for 5 minutes, take it out to press the edges and center gently, then bake for 5 more minutes. This two-step bake helps the bars crisp up nicely and hold together without losing that crunch.

Step 4: Cool and break into chunks

Once baked, resist the temptation to break into the bars immediately! Let them cool completely on a wire rack or countertop so they firm up nice and crisp. When cooled, break them by hand into chunks. You’ll love how satisfying that crunch sounds.

Step 5: Dip in chocolate and let set

Now for the fun part—I melt chopped semisweet chocolate in the microwave using 30-second bursts, stirring well between each. Then, dip each cornflake chunk fully into the chocolate, shake off excess, and place them on parchment paper to set. If you want to take it up a notch, a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after dipping adds an incredible flavor contrast.

Top Tip

From baking these bars multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that guarantee success and keep the texture just perfect. These tips have saved many batches from ending up too soggy or falling apart.

Stir Constantly: While melting the butter and sugar, constant stirring prevents burning and ensures a smooth caramel.
Don’t Crush the Flakes: Be gentle when mixing the caramel with cornflakes to keep that satisfying crunch intact.
Two-Stage Baking: Baking in two parts and pressing the mix a second time helps the bars hold together without being too hard.
Cool Completely Before Breaking: Breaking bars when warm can cause them to crumble unevenly, so patience really pays off here.

How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe

Christmas Cornflake Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing these bars with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt for that perfect sweet-salty combo. Sometimes I add crushed peppermint candies or a drizzle of white chocolate for a festive look. It’s such a simple touch but it really elevates the presentation and flavor.

Side Dishes

These bars are a hit alongside warm drinks like hot cocoa or mulled wine. At holiday parties, I often pair them with simple finger foods like spiced nuts or mini cheese platters, so guests can enjoy a mix of sweet and savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I like to stack the bars in decorative tins lined with festive tissue paper. Another favorite is arranging the bars in a glass jar layered with crushed candy canes or sprinkles for a colorful holiday centerpiece that doubles as a tasty treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together. They usually stay fresh and crispy for up to a week, but they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If I’m making a big batch, I sometimes freeze extras. I wrap individual chunks in parchment paper and place them in a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, I let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. They retain their texture well, which is a huge win for a crispy bar.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat these bars since they’re best enjoyed as-is, but if you want melty chocolate again, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave can soften the coating just perfectly without melting the cornflake base too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cereals besides cornflakes?

Absolutely! While cornflakes give the best crunch and traditional texture, some folks like using Rice Krispies or even a mix of cereals to add variety. Just keep in mind that different cereals absorb caramel differently, so the texture might change a bit.

How do I prevent the bars from becoming soggy?

The key is not to overcoat the cornflakes with caramel and to bake them in two stages as described. Also, letting the bars cool completely before breaking them helps the texture set properly. Storing in an airtight container keeps moisture out and maintains the crunch.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Most cornflake cereals are naturally gluten-free, but it’s important to double-check the packaging. Use gluten-free certified cornflakes and check that your chocolate and other ingredients don’t contain gluten for a safe holiday treat.

What’s the best way to melt chocolate for dipping?

Melting chocolate in 30-second increments in the microwave while stirring in between is the easiest and safest way to avoid burning. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler on the stove. Make sure to stir frequently and remove from heat as soon as it’s mostly melted, allowing residual heat to finish the job.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe has become one of my most beloved holiday treats because it’s easy, festive, and delivers on that perfect balance of crunch and sweetness. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s the kind of recipe that invites sharing, smiles, and maybe just a little sneaky nibble while you wait for the chocolate to set. Go on, give it a try and spread some crunchy holiday joy!