There’s something undeniably joyful about the crunch and chocolate combo in this **Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe**—it’s a classic treat that’s both nostalgic and festive. I love how effortlessly these bars come together, delivering that perfect mix of buttery, sweet, and crisp textures that scream holiday goodness.

The image shows chocolate-covered treats on a baking sheet with parchment paper. The main focus is on one piece broken in half, revealing three layers: a rough orange-colored inside, a thick dark brown layer of chocolate coating, and a thin crunchy outer shell around the orange part. The broken treat pieces have a slightly bumpy texture and the chocolate looks smooth and shiny. Around the main piece, there are more chocolate-covered treats, some blurry in the background. The surface under the sheet has a white and red checkered cloth, on a white marbled texture. 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 Snack Bars Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe has been a cherished favorite in my kitchen, especially during the holiday season. What makes it stand out is its simplicity combined with that unbeatable festive crunch. Honestly, it’s one of those snacks everyone will be asking for repeat batches of – trust me!

Super Simple Ingredients: You don’t need anything fancy or hard to find, just pantry basics that blend perfectly.
Wonderful Crunch: The cornflakes hold their crisp during baking, giving you that delightful contrast to the silky chocolate.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, it takes less than 30 minutes. Easy enough for a last-minute treat!
Customizable Finish: You can jazz them up with different chocolates or toppings, making it your own signature snack bar.

A close-up view of a small chocolate-covered treat held between a woman's thumb and forefinger. The treat has two layers: a thick dark brown chocolate outer layer with a rough texture and a golden yellow crumbly inner layer that looks soft and moist. In the background, there are more similar treats on a baking tray with parchment paper, all blurred out. The surface beneath is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe plays a crucial role, and together they create that magical holiday flavor. You want the right balance between crunchy cornflakes, rich caramelized butter and sugar, and luscious chocolate. Here’s why I love these specific ingredients and some shopping tips:

Flat lay of a small pile of golden cornflake cereal, a stick of unsalted butter with a smooth surface, a small white bowl filled with packed brown sugar, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl containing fine salt crystals, a handful of semisweet chocolate chunks with a glossy texture, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a simple white ceramic plate and bowls, placed 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: Choose plain cornflakes for the best texture; coated or sugary ones can get soggy or too sweet.
Unsalted Butter: Allows better control over the saltiness and blends smoothly with the sugar for a rich caramel base.
Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate and butter.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash elevates the whole flavor profile, making it warm and inviting.
Salt: Enhances every sweet element and balances the flavors perfectly.
Semisweet Chocolate: Melts beautifully and provides the perfect bittersweet contrast to the sweet bars.

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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

One of the things I enjoy most about this Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I love adding my little twists depending on who I’m sharing with or what flavors I’m craving that year.

Chocolate Variations: I’ve had great success swapping semisweet chocolate for dark or even white chocolate for something unique. Sometimes I toss in a handful of crushed peppermint for an extra holiday zing.
Add Nuts or Dried Fruit: For a nuttier or fruitier note, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or dried cranberries right before baking – it adds a lovely festive touch!
Make It Vegan: Use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate to keep these bars plant-based but just as delicious.
Salt It Up: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt after dipping in chocolate creates a sophisticated sweet-salty combo.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Foundation Ready

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out your cornflakes evenly — don’t crush them, as their shape is what gives that great crunch. I find using a good quality parchment really helps with easy clean up and keeps the bars intact when you lift them off later.

Step 2: Make the Sticky, Sweet Sauce

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn. Once melted, keep stirring for another 1-2 minutes until the mixture is thick and glossy. Remove from heat, then stir in the vanilla extract and salt. This is your magic coating that crisps and flavors those cornflakes beautifully.

Step 3: Combine and Shape

Pour the warm butter-sugar mixture over your cornflakes and gently stir until all flakes are evenly coated. Using a spoon or rubber spatula, spread the cereal on the baking sheet into a neat rectangle. Press gently so the flakes stick together but don’t crush them—this keeps the bars light and crunchy.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake the coated cornflakes for 5 minutes, then gently press them together again, focusing on the edges and center to help bind the bars. Bake for another 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning; you want just a slight golden hue to enhance that toasted flavor.

Step 5: Cool and Cut

Let the cornflake crisp cool completely on the tray before breaking it into chunks. This cooling step is key—it helps them firm up so you don’t end up with crumbles everywhere.

Step 6: Dip in Chocolate

Place chopped semisweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it in 30-second bursts, stirring each time until smooth. Dip each cornflake chunk fully in chocolate, shake off excess, then place on parchment paper to set. If you want to add a bit of salt for contrast, sprinkle some flaky sea salt quickly before the chocolate hardens.

Top Tip

Through multiple batches, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe foolproof and incredibly delicious. These tips usually save me from a sticky mess or dull bars!

Don’t Skip the Pressing: After the first 5 minutes of baking, gently press the cereal so the bars hold together better — it really makes a difference.
Use Parchment Paper Well: It makes cleanup easy and helps release the bars without breaking.
Stir Constantly When Melting Butter and Sugar: This prevents burning and ensures a smooth caramel mixture.
Cool Completely Before Breaking: Otherwise, the bars will crumble and lose their shape.

How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe

Christmas Cornflake Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing these bars with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt—it really amps up the flavor and balances the sweetness. Sometimes around Christmas, I add a little crushed peppermint candy on top while the chocolate is still soft for that perfect festive look and flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair these snack bars with a warm cup of spiced tea or coffee, especially on chilly mornings or cozy nights. They also go great alongside a classic holiday charcuterie board for festive gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange the bars on a holiday-themed platter lined with parchment and sprinkle some festive edible glitter or cinnamon dust around for sparkle. Wrapping individual bars in clear festive bags tied with ribbon also makes charming little gifts or hostess treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually layer them between sheets of parchment or wax paper to keep them from sticking together. They stay crunchy and tasty for about a week.

Freezing

If you want to make them ahead for holiday prep, they freeze really well. I wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, thaw them at room temperature—no microwave needed.

Reheating

Since these bars are best enjoyed crunchy, I usually skip reheating. But if they’ve softened a bit, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave revives the chocolate’s melt and crunch without overcooking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cereals besides cornflakes for this recipe?

Absolutely! While cornflakes are classic and provide the best crunch, you can substitute with crispy rice cereal or even bran flakes for a different texture. Just keep in mind the flavor will vary slightly.

How do I prevent the cornflakes from getting soggy?

The key is baking the coated cornflakes at 350°F and pressing them gently after the first 5 minutes of baking, which helps set them and keep their crispness. Also, avoid covering the bars while still warm as trapped moisture causes sogginess.

Can I make these bars ahead of time and freeze them?

Yes! These bars freeze wonderfully. Just wrap each individually and store in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving for best texture.

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

Microwaving in 30-second increments with stirring between each is the easiest and safest method. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate using a double boiler on the stove, which gives you fine control and prevents burning. Make sure your utensils and bowl are completely dry to avoid seizing.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cornflake Snack Bars Recipe is one of those simple joys I turn to every holiday season. It combines that crave-worthy crunch with buttery sweetness and luscious chocolate in a way that feels both cozy and celebratory. I can’t recommend it enough if you want a homemade treat that’s quick, addictive, and always well-received. Give it a try—you’ll be making these snack bars year after year, just like me!