Description
Christmas Cornflake Crackle is a delightful holiday treat featuring crunchy cornflakes coated in a buttery brown sugar mixture, baked to crispy perfection, and dipped in rich semisweet chocolate. This easy-to-make snack combines sweet and salty flavors with a satisfying crunch, perfect for festive gatherings or gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 level cups cornflake cereal
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out the cornflake cereal evenly over the prepared baking sheet.
- Make Sweet Butter Mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and brown sugar together, stirring continuously. Once melted, keep stirring for 1-2 minutes to combine and thicken the mixture slightly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
- Coat Cornflakes: Pour the butter and sugar mixture over the spread-out cornflakes. Gently stir to coat all the cornflakes evenly using a spoon or rubber spatula. Spread the coated cornflakes into a neat rectangle and press them together to compact.
- Bake First Round: Bake the coated cornflakes in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Remove and gently press the cornflakes together around the edges and center to ensure compactness.
- Bake Second Round: Return the cornflakes to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes for extra crispiness.
- Cool and Break: Allow the baked cornflake mixture to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break the large rectangle into chunks of your preferred size.
- Melt Chocolate: Place the chopped semisweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in 30-second increments, stirring well after each interval until smooth and fully melted.
- Dip and Set: Dip each cornflake chunk into the melted chocolate, coating it completely. Shake off any excess chocolate and place the coated pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of salt on top while the chocolate is still wet.
- Allow Chocolate to Set: Let the chocolate coating set at room temperature until firm. Once set, the Christmas Cornflake Crackle is ready to enjoy or package as a festive treat.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Ensure the butter and sugar mixture is hot enough to coat the cornflakes well but avoid overheating to prevent burning.
- Pressing the cornflakes firmly together before baking helps them stick as one piece.
- For even melting, stir the chocolate frequently while microwaving to avoid scorching.
- Store finished cornflake crackles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For a twist, consider adding chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon to the butter mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
