Description
A delightful and crunchy Christmas treat combining buttery brown sugar glazed cornflakes baked to crispness and dipped in rich semisweet chocolate, perfect for festive snacking or gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Cereal Mixture
- 3 level cups cornflake cereal
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Coating
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Arrange Cornflakes: Spread the 3 cups of cornflake cereal evenly over the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Melt Butter and Sugar: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and packed brown sugar together, stirring continuously to prevent burning. After the mixture is melted, continue stirring for an additional 2 minutes to combine flavors well.
- Add Vanilla and Salt: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the melted mixture for enhanced flavor.
- Coat Cornflakes: Pour the buttery brown sugar mixture over the cornflakes and gently stir with a spoon or rubber spatula to coat the cereal evenly.
- Shape and Bake: Using the spoon or spatula, spread the coated cornflakes into a compact rectangle, pressing the cereal together firmly. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Press and Bake Again: Remove from oven and gently press the cornflakes together around the edges and center, then bake for an additional 5 minutes to ensure crispness.
- Cool and Break into Chunks: Allow the baked cornflake mixture to cool completely on the baking sheet, then break it into bite-sized chunks.
- Melt Chocolate: Place chopped semisweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring each time until fully melted and smooth.
- Dip Cornflake Chunks: Dip each chunk into the melted chocolate, covering it completely and shaking off any excess chocolate.
- Set Chocolate: Place the chocolate-coated cornflake chunks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them rest at room temperature until the chocolate hardens. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of salt on top for extra flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once set, serve your Christmas Cornflake Crackle as a festive snack or package them as gifts to share.
Notes
- Pressing the cornflakes firmly before baking helps the treat hold together better once cooled.
- If you don’t have a microwave, melt the chocolate using a double boiler on the stovetop.
- For a festive twist, add a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy on the chocolate before it sets.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Use unsalted butter to control the overall saltiness, especially if you add salt on top later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
