Name: Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 level cups cornflake cereal; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick); 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

There’s something magical about bites of crunchy, buttery, and chocolatey goodness all wrapped up in one treat. This Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe hits all those cozy holiday notes and is as fun to make as it is to eat. You'll find it’s a total crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for gifting or just sneaking a few for yourself!

The image shows chocolate-covered treats on a baking tray lined with light brown parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface with a red and white cloth. The focus is on one treat that is cut in half and stacked, showing two layers: a thick layer of dark brown chocolate coating on the outside and a golden, crumbly textured inside layer. The tray is full of similar chocolate-covered treats with irregular shapes, all with the same glossy dark brown chocolate surface. The background is softly blurred to keep attention on the cut treat in the front. 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 Chocolate Bark Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe more times than I can count, especially during the holidays. What makes it so great isn’t just how delicious it is, but how simple it is — just a few ingredients and some love in the kitchen is all it takes.

Simple Ingredients: You likely already have everything in your pantry — no last-minute store runs!
Crunchy and Sweet: The cornflakes give it a wonderful crunch that pairs perfectly with rich chocolate.
Customizable: Easy to switch up with different chocolates or toppings, so you can make it your own.
Perfect Gift or Treat: Looks homemade and festive — great for holiday parties or as a sweet surprise for friends.

A close-up shot shows a small cluster-shaped chocolate candy held between a person's thumb and forefinger. The candy has two main layers: a thick, dark brown chocolate outer coating with a rough texture, and a dense, orange-yellow crumbly inner filling with a grainy texture. The background is filled with similar dark chocolate clusters placed on brown parchment paper on a baking tray, all set on a white marbled surface. A woman's hand is blurred in the background, reaching towards the tray. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe is in its balance of buttery sweetness and crisp texture. Each ingredient plays a key role, creating layers of flavor and crunch that work beautifully together.

Flat lay of a small heap of golden cornflake cereal, a stick of pale unsalted butter, a neat pile of packed light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a tiny white bowl with coarse white salt crystals, and a mound of chopped glossy semisweet chocolate pieces, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, 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: Provides the light, crispy crunch that gives bark its delightful texture.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps caramelize the brown sugar for that luscious coating.
Brown sugar: Brings deep sweetness and a slight molasses flavor to balance the chocolate.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with warm, inviting notes.
Salt: Just a pinch rounds out sweetness and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
Semisweet chocolate: The star topping—melts smoothly and adds that irresistible chocolatey finish.

📝

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 love putting my own spin on this Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe. Sometimes I'll swap out the semisweet chocolate for milk chocolate to add creaminess, or toss in a handful of crushed peppermint candies for a festive crunch.

Variation: Adding chopped nuts like toasted pecans or almonds adds great texture and a nutty flavor — perfect for sharing with nut lovers.
Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, use coconut oil instead of butter and a dairy-free chocolate—works beautifully!
Seasonal twist: Try sprinkling edible gold dust or red and green sprinkles on top for a show-stopping holiday treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Toast the Cornflakes

First up, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out your cornflakes evenly on the sheet. Toasting the cornflakes just lightly helps boost that crispy texture and adds a subtle nutty flavor that makes this bark stand out. Keep an eye on them — about 5 minutes should do it.

Step 2: Make the Butter and Brown Sugar Coating

While the cornflakes toast, melt butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously so it doesn’t burn, and once melted, keep stirring for another minute or two until things get nice and glossy. Then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt—this is your flavor boost right here!

Step 3: Coat and Bake

Pour the butter and sugar mixture over the toasted cornflakes and gently mix with a spatula to coat every flake evenly. Press the mix into a rectangle shape on your baking sheet to help it set nicely. Bake for 5 minutes, then press again gently with your spatula—it helps bind everything better—and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 4: Cool and Break Into Chunks

Let the cornflake mixture cool completely on the sheet—this gives it time to harden so when you break it apart, you get those perfect crunchy chunks. Don’t rush this part; cooled cornflake bark holds together so much better.

Step 5: Dip in Chocolate and Set

Melt your chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring each time until smooth. Dip your bark chunks to coat them completely and gently shake off excess chocolate. Place them back on parchment paper and let the chocolate set at room temperature, or pop them in the fridge for faster results. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky salt on top once dipped — it’s pure magic.

Top Tip

From my many batches of this Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe, I’ve learned that patience with cooling and gentle handling are key. Here are a few tips I swear by:

Even Coating: Stir the cornflakes gently but thoroughly to make sure every piece is covered — thin spots get soggy later.
Watch the Heat: When cooking butter and sugar, medium heat is your friend to avoid burning and bitterness.
Setting Chocolate: Use good-quality chocolate for a glossy finish and smooth texture — that difference is worth it!
Break When Cool: Never try breaking the bark while it's warm; cooled pieces snap cleanly and keep their crunch.

How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe

Christmas Cornflake Bark - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep things simple with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or crushed peppermint candy over the chocolate. Sometimes a dusting of edible glitter adds just the right festive sparkle that makes everyone’s eyes light up!

Side Dishes

This bark goes wonderfully alongside a warm cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate — the sweetness balances out their spice beautifully. It’s also great as a festive nibble on a holiday dessert platter alongside cookies and candies.

Creative Ways to Present

Try layering these chocolate bark chunks in a clear glass jar tied with a ribbon for a charming gift. Or arrange them on a wooden board with fresh holly sprigs for a rustic holiday centerpiece snack. Presentation makes it feel extra special!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. It keeps its crunch for about a week, but honestly, it rarely lasts that long at my house!

Freezing

Freezing works well too — just layer the chunks between parchment paper inside a sealed container or bag. When you want a treat, let it thaw at room temperature for about 10 minutes before enjoying.

Reheating

I don’t recommend reheating since the chocolate and caramel coating can melt and lose its crispness. Best to enjoy it straight from storage or thawed from frozen for crunchiest bites.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of cornflakes work best in this recipe?

For the best texture, use plain cornflakes without added sugar or flavoring. This lets the buttery brown sugar coating shine through and keeps the bark crispy, not overly sweet.

Can I use different types of chocolate?

Absolutely! Semisweet chocolate is classic here, but you can use milk chocolate for a sweeter bark or dark chocolate if you prefer less sweetness. Just make sure to choose quality chocolate for good melting and shine.

How long does this bark keep fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, this bark stays fresh for up to a week. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option—you can keep it frozen for up to 3 months.

Can I add extras like nuts or candies?

Definitely! Adding nuts, crushed candy canes, or even dried fruit can give your Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe a personal touch. Just sprinkle the extras on top of the chocolate before it sets.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cornflake Chocolate Bark Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions. It’s easy, feels indulgent, and brings people together with its irresistible crunch and chocolatey goodness. I hope you enjoy making it just as much as I do—it’s the kind of treat that makes holiday moments even sweeter.