Nothing says festive like the perfect crispy, sweet treat, and that’s exactly what this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe delivers! With crunchy cornflakes wrapped in buttery caramel and dipped in silky chocolate, it’s a holiday snack that feels like a warm hug in every bite.

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've made many holiday sweets over the years, but the Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars have a special place on my dessert table every year. They’re that effortless, nostalgic treat that everyone actually asks for, and I bet you’ll fall in love with them just as quickly as I did.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples, which means less stress during busy holiday prep.
Crisp and Crunchy: Those cornflakes stay perfectly crunchy even after baking and coating with caramel.
Chocolate-Dipped Goodness: The rich chocolate coating takes these bars from good to unforgettable.
Great for Gifting: They store well and look so festive when wrapped up for friends and family.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each part of this Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe plays a key role: the cornflakes provide crunch, the butter and brown sugar create that luscious, sticky caramel coating, and the melted chocolate adds smooth sweetness. Let me break down why these ingredients make the magic happen.

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 star crunch factor — make sure to use plain cornflakes without added flavors to let the caramel shine.
Unsalted Butter: Butter brings richness and helps melt the sugar evenly without making the crackles greasy.
Brown Sugar: Packed with moisture and depth, brown sugar gives the caramel a lovely molassesy flavor.
Vanilla Extract: This little splash brightens and balances the sweetness beautifully.
Salt: Just a touch of salt enhances flavor and cuts through the sweetness, making each bite more interesting.
Semisweet Chocolate: Melts beautifully and adds richness; I prefer chopping the chocolate myself to control the consistency.

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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 like to stick pretty close to this traditional recipe, but there’s plenty of room to personalize it. That’s the fun of these bars — you can mix in nuts, spices, or switch up the chocolate coating to suit your crowd.

Variation: One year, I sprinkled crushed candy canes on top right after dipping, which added a lovely peppermint crunch — festive and delicious!
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter and dairy-free chocolate to make these bars vegan-friendly.
Nutty Twist: Toss in some chopped toasted pecans or almonds along with the cornflakes before baking for extra texture.

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 Cornflakes and Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then spread out your cornflakes evenly — this ensures they bake uniformly and don’t clump together. I usually tap the pan gently to level them out.

Step 2: Make That Magical Caramel

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together, stirring continuously so it doesn’t burn. Keep stirring for about 1 to 2 minutes once it’s melted — this develops the caramel depth. Then, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt for that finishing touch.

Step 3: Coat Cornflakes & Bake

Pour the warm caramel mixture over your cornflakes, then gently stir to coat every flake — be patient, it’s a messy but rewarding step. Spread it into a compact rectangle right on your baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then press the edges and center gently with a spatula. Bake for 5 more minutes to get everything set just right.

Step 4: Cool & Break Apart

Once out of the oven, let the cornflake bake cool completely. This cooling step is critical — it helps the caramel harden so when you break it apart, you get perfectly chunked bars rather than sticky messes.

Step 5: Dip in Chocolate

Microwave your chopped chocolate in 30-second bursts, stirring between each until silky smooth. Dip each chunk, making sure it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess chocolate, then place on parchment to set. I sometimes sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top before the chocolate hardens—it’s a game-changer.

Top Tip

From making these bars a few times, I’ve learned that timing and patience really make a difference. Getting that perfect caramel and fully cooled bars before dipping keeps everything crispy and neat instead of a gooey mess.

Gentle Stirring: Stir the caramel butter and sugar mix continuously and gently so it doesn’t burn or separate.
Pressing Between Bakes: Don’t skip pressing the cornflakes halfway through baking—it helps bind them together nicely.
Chocolate Melting: Melt chocolate slowly, in small bursts, stirring well to keep it smooth and shiny.
Cooling Time: Always wait until the bars are 100% cool before breaking and dipping—patience pays off!

How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe

Christmas Cornflake Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate before it sets — it adds a subtle crunch and balances the sweetness perfectly. Sometimes a few mini edible glitter stars go on for that festive sparkle that kids adore.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a cup of rich hot cocoa or a spicy mulled wine during holiday gatherings. They also complement a cheese board with sharp cheddar and fruit — a bit unexpected but totally delicious!

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I arrange the bars on a rustic wooden board wrapped in parchment and tied with twine. Adding fresh pine sprigs or cinnamon sticks elevates the look instantly. For parties, stacking them in clear jars makes grabbing a handful quick and festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I find these bars keep best in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay crisp for about 5 days — just make sure they’re fully set and cooled before storing to avoid stickiness.

Freezing

Freezing works great if you want to make these ahead of time! I wrap the bars individually in wax paper and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready, thaw at room temperature—chocolate might soften, but bars stay deliciously crunchy.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t really necessary since these bars taste best cold or at room temp. If chocolate softens, just pop them in the fridge for a bit. I usually skip warming to preserve the crisp texture of the cornflakes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cereals besides cornflakes?

Cornflakes are best for this recipe due to their sturdy crunch and neutral flavor. Using other cereals might change the texture and how the caramel adheres, but feel free to experiment with something similar like rice crisps for a different twist.

How do I prevent the bars from getting soggy?

Make sure to cool the bars completely before breaking and dipping to lock in crispness. Also, store them in an airtight container and avoid humid environments. Pressing the cornflakes during baking helps compact the bars and keeps them crisp longer.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Cornflakes can sometimes contain gluten, so opt for a certified gluten-free brand to keep this recipe safe. Double-check the chocolate ingredients as well to ensure they’re gluten-free.

How far ahead can I make Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars?

You can make these bars up to a week in advance if stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature. They also freeze well, so for even earlier prep, freeze and thaw when needed for last-minute treats that taste freshly made.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cornflake Crackle Bars Recipe has been a holiday staple in my kitchen because it brings together that perfect combo of crunchy, sweet, and chocolatey goodness with very little fuss. I’m excited for you to make these and watch how quickly they disappear — trust me, they’re just that good. So grab your ingredients, put on some holiday tunes, and let’s make your new favorite festive treat!