Here is my go-to caramel cornflakes recipe, with a quick, foolproof method that turns simple cornflakes into sweet, crunchy treats using butter, brown sugar, and a touch of vanilla.
These caramel cornflakes are my kids’ favorite after-school snack, and I always make a double batch because they disappear so quickly. Nothing beats having a container full of these ready to go when the afternoon munchies hit, right?
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Cornflakes
- 4-ingredient recipe – You only need four basic ingredients to make these sweet treats – perfect for when you’re short on pantry supplies but craving something special.
- No-bake dessert – These caramel cornflakes come together right on your stovetop – no need to heat up the oven or deal with complicated baking steps.
- Kid-friendly activity – This is a fun recipe to make with kids since it’s simple and safe – they’ll love watching the caramel form and helping to coat the cornflakes.
- Make-ahead treat – You can make these sweet, crunchy clusters ahead of time and store them for parties, lunchboxes, or whenever you need a quick snack.
What Kind of Corn Flakes Should I Use?
Regular plain corn flakes are your best bet for this recipe – you’ll want to skip any frosted or flavored varieties since you’re adding your own sweetness with the caramel. The basic store brand corn flakes work just as well as the name brands, so don’t feel like you need to splurge. Just make sure your corn flakes are fresh and crispy – stale cereal can make your final treat taste off and the texture won’t be as satisfying. If you’ve had a box sitting in your pantry for a while, give them a quick taste test before using them in the recipe to make sure they’re still nice and crunchy.
Options for Substitutions
While this recipe is pretty straightforward, here are some substitution options that can work:
- Corn flakes: You can swap corn flakes with rice krispies, Special K, or even crushed wheat flakes. Just keep in mind that each cereal will give a slightly different crunch and texture.
- Salted butter: If you only have unsalted butter, that’s fine – just add a pinch of salt to the mix. You can also use margarine, though butter gives the best flavor.
- White sugar: Brown sugar can work here too, though it will give a deeper, more molasses-like flavor. Don’t use liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup as they’ll affect the consistency.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This is a key ingredient that’s hard to substitute. While you could try evaporated milk with extra sugar, the texture won’t be quite the same, so I recommend sticking with condensed milk for the best results.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making caramel cornflakes is burning the caramel – sugar can go from perfectly golden to bitter and burnt in seconds, so keep your eyes on the pan and stir constantly once the sugar starts to melt. Another common mistake is rushing the cooking process of the condensed milk mixture – it needs to be cooked on medium-low heat until it reaches a deep golden color, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes of constant stirring to prevent sticking and burning. To keep your cornflakes crispy, make sure they’re completely coated in the caramel mixture while it’s still hot, but work quickly as the caramel will start to harden as it cools – having an extra pair of hands to help stir can make this process much easier. For the perfect texture, avoid pressing the mixture too firmly into your pan, as this can crush the cornflakes and make them dense rather than light and crispy.
What to Serve With Caramel Cornflakes?
These sweet and crunchy caramel cornflakes are perfect for serving at parties or casual get-togethers alongside other snacks and treats. A cold glass of milk is the perfect beverage pairing, helping to balance out the sweetness while making every bite even more enjoyable. If you’re setting up a snack spread, try mixing these with some salty snacks like pretzels or nuts to create a nice sweet-and-salty contrast. For a fun dessert table, serve them alongside vanilla ice cream – the warm caramel coating pairs wonderfully with the cold, creamy texture.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Once your caramel cornflakes have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They’ll stay crunchy at room temperature for up to 5 days. Pro tip: add a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together!
Store: If you live in a humid climate, you might want to keep these sweet treats in the fridge. They’ll maintain their crunch better, and the caramel won’t get sticky. Just pop them in an airtight container and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
Make Ahead: These are perfect for making ahead for parties or bake sales! You can prepare them 2-3 days in advance, but I wouldn’t recommend freezing them as the cornflakes might lose their crunch when thawed.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 8-10 minutes |
| Total Time | 38-55 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1200-1300
- Protein: 12-15 g
- Fat: 50-60 g
- Carbohydrates: 180-200 g
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 14 ounces condensed milk with added sugar
- 8 ounces corn flakes cereal
Step 1: Prepare Baking Sheets
Cover two 9×13 baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
This will ensure your caramel treats don’t stick and are easy to remove later.
Step 2: Caramelize the Sugar
In a saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly.
It’s important to keep stirring to prevent the sugar from burning.
Continue this process until the sugar turns an amber color, which should take approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
Be patient as this step is crucial for achieving the perfect caramel consistency.
Step 3: Combine Caramel Ingredients
Once the sugar has completely melted and turned amber, stir in the salted butter until it is well combined with the caramelized sugar.
After the butter is integrated, stir in the sweetened condensed milk and then remove the pan from the heat.
Step 4: Mix with Cornflakes
Gently stir in the Kellogg’s cornflakes cereal into the caramel mixture until all the flakes are thoroughly coated.
This ensures that every bite is deliciously caramelized.
Step 5: Spread Mixture and Cool
Pour the caramel-coated cornflakes mixture onto one of the prepared baking sheets.
Spread it evenly with a spatula and let it cool for 20 to 30 minutes.
The cooling process allows the mixture to set and become firm enough to handle.
Step 6: Form and Arrange Caramel Balls
Once the mixture is cool, dampen your fingers with water to prevent sticking, and take small portions of the mixture.
Form them into small spheres using your hands.
Arrange all the spheres on the second prepared baking sheet until all the caramel mixture has been used.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Your caramel cornflake spheres are now ready to be served.
Enjoy these delightful treats with family and friends!