There’s just something magical about the crunch and chocolate combo in the Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bites Recipe that makes it a holiday classic in my kitchen. These little bites are simple, satisfyingly crunchy, and beautifully festive — perfect for sharing or sneaking a few yourself!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I adore making these Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bites because they bring out the kid in me every time — that perfect combo of nostalgic crisp cornflakes coated in caramelized sugar and finished with silky chocolate is unbeatable. Plus, you don’t need any fancy ingredients, and they come together super quickly.
- Quick & Easy: You can whip these up in about 30 minutes — no complicated steps or long wait times.
- Festive Crunch: The cornflakes get wonderfully sticky and crunchy in the oven, making every bite satisfyingly textured.
- Perfect for Gifting: They look cute dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt, making them ideal for holiday baskets or parties.
- Kid-Friendly: My kids always love helping me mix and dip, and these bites are a perfect treat for little hands and big smiles alike.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in the Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bites Recipe plays an important role. The cornflakes bring that classic crunch, while the butter and brown sugar caramelize beautifully to coat every flake just right. Vanilla amps up the aroma, and the semisweet chocolate wraps everything in a luscious, smooth finish.
- Cornflake Cereal: Choose a crunchy, unsweetened kind for the best texture and avoid sogginess.
- Unsalted Butter: Gives richness and helps the sugar caramelize evenly without adding extra saltiness.
- Brown Sugar: Adds deep molasses flavor and the perfect sticky sweetness for coating the cereal.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds warmth to the caramel coating.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and bring out the chocolate’s depth.
- Semisweet Chocolate: Use good-quality chocolate for melting; it provides a perfect bittersweet contrast to the sweet crunch.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bites Recipe is — you can switch up the toppings or add mix-ins to make it yours. Sometimes, I throw in some chopped nuts or a sprinkle of festive sprinkles before the chocolate sets. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
- Variation: One year, I swapped half the semisweet chocolate for white chocolate and drizzled it on top for a festive look — it was a hit at the office party!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spreading the cornflakes evenly will help them bake evenly, so take a moment to do that right.
Step 2: Make That Perfect Caramel Coating
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Keep stirring — this is key, so your sugar doesn’t burn. After it melts, stir for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Then remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt to amplify the flavors.
Step 3: Coat and Bake the Cornflakes
Pour the sticky caramel mixture over your cornflakes and gently fold with a spoon or spatula. Spread the coated cornflakes into a neat rectangle on your baking sheet, pressing them slightly so they hold together. Bake for 5 minutes, then press again gently around the edges and in the center, and bake for another 5 minutes. This helps the bites set perfectly.
Step 4: Cool and Break into Bites
Let the cornflake slab cool completely — patience here pays off! Once cooled, break it into bite-sized chunks. They should hold together well but still have that lovely crunch.
Step 5: Dip in Chocolate and Set
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semisweet chocolate in 30-second bursts, stirring between each until smooth. Dip each cornflake chunk fully in chocolate, shaking off excess before placing on parchment. Let the chocolate set at room temperature or pop them in the fridge. If you want, sprinkle a touch of sea salt on top right after dipping — it really elevates the flavor!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve found a few tricks that make a big difference when making Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bites. These tips will help you get that perfect crunch and glossy chocolate coating every time.
- Even Coating: Mix the caramel and cornflakes gently but thoroughly to avoid soggy clusters or dry cornflakes.
- Don’t Skip Pressing: Pressing the flakes before and during baking helps the bites hold together without being too dense.
- Chocolate Melting: Microwave in short bursts to avoid burning the chocolate, stirring often for a smooth finish.
- Salt Finish: A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on the fresh chocolate takes these bites from sweet to spectacular.
How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with these bites — a sprinkle of sea salt or colored festive sprinkles right after dipping in chocolate adds a fun visual pop and a nice flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
These crackle bites pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced tea or hot cocoa. If you’re hosting, I like setting them alongside cheese and fruit platters as a sweet contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For Christmas gatherings, I’ve placed these bites in mini cupcake liners placed in a decorative tin — it makes homemade gifting feel extra special. You could even stack them in a clear jar tied with a festive ribbon for a wonderful edible gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These bites keep surprisingly well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I recommend layering parchment between to keep them from sticking together.
Freezing
Freezing works great too! I wrap them tightly in foil inside a freezer bag. When you’re ready, just let them thaw at room temperature — they maintain their crunch and chocolate shine beautifully.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat these since they’re perfect as-is. If your chocolate loses a little gloss, just let them warm slightly at room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but cornflakes work best because of their shape and crunch. Other cereals might be too soft or won’t hold the caramel coating as well, so the texture could change.
Make sure the bites are thoroughly cooled and the chocolate is fully set before handling. Serving at room temperature helps, and keeping them in a cool spot away from direct sunlight or heat sources will prevent melting.
Absolutely! Cornflakes are naturally gluten-free if you pick the right brand (always check the label). Just ensure any add-ins or sprinkle toppings are also gluten-free.
I recommend microwaving the chocolate in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each to avoid burning and to encourage smooth melting. You can also melt it in a double boiler if you prefer.
Final Thoughts
Every Christmas, making the Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bites Recipe feels like a warm family tradition bringing everyone together — the kitchen fills with that buttery, caramel scent and laughter as we dip the crunchy bites in chocolate. I can’t recommend it enough if you want an easy, crowd-pleasing treat that still feels special. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be making these every holiday season too!
Print
Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Cornflake Crackle is a delightful holiday treat featuring crispy cornflakes coated in a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze, baked to perfection, and then dipped in smooth semisweet chocolate for a festive and crunchy snack. Perfect for sharing at holiday parties or as a sweet gift.
Ingredients
Cereal Base
- 3 level cups cornflake cereal
Brown Sugar Glaze
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Chocolate Coating
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange Cornflakes: Spread the 3 cups of cornflake cereal evenly over the prepared baking sheet in a single layer for even coating.
- Make Brown Sugar Glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the ½ cup butter and ½ cup packed brown sugar together, stirring continuously until fully melted and combined, then continue stirring for 1-2 minutes to thicken the glaze. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Coat Cornflakes with Glaze: Pour the warm brown sugar glaze over the cornflakes and gently stir to coat them evenly. Use a spoon or rubber spatula to spread the coated cornflakes into a rectangular shape, pressing them together.
- Bake the Coated Cornflakes: Bake the cornflakes for 5 minutes. Then, using a spoon or spatula, gently press the cornflakes together around the edges and center to help them bind. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Cool and Break into Chunks: Remove the cornflake mixture from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break it into bite-sized chunks.
- Melt Chocolate: Place 12 oz of chopped semisweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second increments, stirring well between each until smooth and fully melted.
- Dip and Set: Dip each cornflake chunk into the melted chocolate, coating completely. Shake off excess chocolate and place the coated pieces back onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of salt on top. Let the chocolate set completely before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve your Christmas Cornflake Crackle immediately or store in an airtight container for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Press the cornflakes gently but firmly before baking to help them hold together well.
- If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- For a festive touch, add colorful sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
- You can substitute semisweet chocolate with dark or milk chocolate according to your preference.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them crunchy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg

Leave a Reply