There’s something truly nostalgic about a crunchy, sweet treat that feels just like Christmas on a plate. This Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe is exactly that—a delightful mix of buttery cornflakes and gooey sweetness, then dipped in rich chocolate. Trust me, these bars vanish almost as fast as you can make them!

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

I can’t tell you how many holiday parties I've brought these bars to and watched everyone’s eyes light up. What’s great is that they’re easy to make, come together fast, and taste like a festive classic with zero fuss. Plus, all those crunchy cornflakes coated in that buttery, sweet syrup? Absolutely addictive.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples, making it stress-free even in busy holiday times.
Crunchy and Chocolatey: The texture combo is spot-on—the crispy cornflakes with melt-in-your-mouth chocolate is a dream.
Quick to Prep and Bake: From mixing to finished bars in less than 30 minutes, perfect for last-minute treats.
Customizable: You can easily swap chocolate types or add festive sprinkles to make them your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe has its role, balancing sweetness, texture, and flavor. Choosing quality chocolate and fresh cornflakes will make a noticeable difference, so keep an eye out for those when shopping.

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: Provides the signature crunch and a light, crisp base for the bars.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness without overpowering; unsalted lets you control the salt level.
Brown sugar: Brings deep caramel notes that soak into the butter for that chewy, sweet coating.
Vanilla extract: A little goes a long way in brightening flavors and rounding out sweetness.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
Semisweet chocolate: Melts perfectly for dipping and adds a smooth, slightly bitter contrast against the sweet, crunchy cornflakes.

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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

I love to play around with this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe sometimes—it's such a flexible base. Sometimes I'll throw in a handful of festive red and green sprinkles before the chocolate sets to add a pop of color and extra holiday cheer.

Variation: For a nutty twist, chopped toasted pecans or almonds mixed with the cornflakes add a lovely crunch that your guests won't expect.
Dietary tweak: If you want a dairy-free option, substitute the butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate—it still turns out fantastic!
Seasonal additions: Peppermint extract instead of vanilla, or a dusting of cinnamon in the sugar mixture, can give a spice-laden holiday vibe.

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: Prep Your Cornflakes and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this helps for easy cleanup and keeps the bars from sticking. Then, spread your cornflakes out evenly across the sheet. Spreading them well means each cornflake has a chance to soak up that delicious sugary butter mix.

Step 2: Create the Buttery Sugar Syrup

On medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan, stirring continuously. This step takes patience—keep stirring for a minute or two after everything’s melted so the sugar dissolves completely, giving you a nice smooth syrup. Then, off the heat, stir in the vanilla and salt right away.

Step 3: Coat and Set the Cornflakes

Pour this warm mixture over your cornflakes and gently fold them to ensure they’re evenly coated. Use a spoon or spatula to press the coated flakes into a neat rectangle right on the baking sheet—it helps them hold together when baked. This part is key: press lightly but firmly.

Step 4: Double Bake for Perfect Crunch

Bake the pan for 5 minutes, then take it out to press the mix gently again, especially around the edges and center—this makes sure your bars aren’t crumbly. Pop it back in for another 5 minutes until golden and set. Once baked, let it cool completely before breaking into chunks.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate

Melt your chopped semisweet chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring in between until smooth. Then, dip each cornflake chunk in the chocolate, shake off excess, and lay them on parchment to set. I love adding a tiny sprinkle of sea salt after chocolate dries—it balances the sweetness beautifully.

Top Tip

From my years making this recipe, a few little tweaks have really upped the game. Here’s what I’ve learned that I think you'll appreciate:

Even Coating Is Key: When pouring the sugar syrup over your cornflakes, stir gently but make sure every flake gets coated for that perfect crunch and sweetness balance.
Double Pressing: Baking in two stages with pressing in the middle prevents crumbliness—don’t skip this to get neat bars!
Chocolate Dipping: Make sure your chocolate is smooth and warm but not too hot or it’ll melt the bars a bit when dipped.
Cooling Completely: Letting the bars cool entirely before breaking sets the structure and stops them from falling apart.

How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe

Christmas Cornflake Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I personally like to keep it simple with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or some festive crushed peppermint on the chocolate. Sometimes, for holiday parties, I’ll add tiny edible gold stars—it makes the bars look extra special and festive without much effort.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a warm cup of mulled wine, hot cocoa, or even a fresh pot of coffee. They’re perfect as an after-dinner treat or alongside a cheese board for a sweet contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or holiday gatherings, arrange the bars on a tiered tray with holly sprigs and mini candy canes. Wrapping individual bars in cellophane tied with ribbon also makes for charming edible gifts that friends and family love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually stay fresh and crunchy for up to 5 days, though in our house there’s rarely much left that long!

Freezing

These bars freeze well wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer bag. When you want a treat, just thaw at room temp for about an hour—it keeps the texture and flavor just like fresh.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat these bars, but if you want to soften the chocolate a bit, a few seconds in the microwave (on low) does the trick. Just be cautious not to melt the chocolate completely or make the bars soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cereals besides cornflakes?

While traditional cornflakes offer the perfect crunch and flavor, you can experiment with plain rice crisps or similar cereals. Avoid overly sweet or flavored cereals as they may affect the final taste.

How do I prevent the bars from being too sticky?

Make sure to bake the cornflakes mixture until set and allow it to cool completely before breaking into chunks. Also, pressing the cornflakes mixture firmly before baking helps it hold together well.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! Most cornflake cereals are gluten-free, but check the packaging to be sure. Use gluten-free chocolate and confirm other ingredients as needed.

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

Melting chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, prevents burning and ensures smooth, glossy chocolate perfect for dipping.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s one of those simple recipes that brings back holiday memories and makes any gathering feel cozy and joyful. It’s easy to whip up, fun to eat, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I hope you’ll give it a try this season and share the crunchy, chocolatey love with your favorite people!