If you’re ready for a treat that’s nostalgic, delightfully crunchy, and unbelievably quick to whip up, Easy Cornflake Cookies are about to earn a spot in your recipe hall of fame. Imagine golden mounds of crisp cornflakes bound together by gooey, peanut-buttery sweetness—no oven required! Perfect for last-minute gatherings, satisfying afternoon cravings, or just reliving a childhood favorite, these cookies embody the magic of simplicity and flavor. You’ll fall in love with how effortless they are to make and share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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For the cookies:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups cornflake cereal
Optional for topping:
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or melted chocolate for drizzling
How to Make Easy Cornflake Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Station
Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking. This little prep step will make transferring and cooling your Easy Cornflake Cookies a total breeze.
Step 2: Heat Your Sweet Base
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar and light corn syrup. Stir constantly as the mixture warms—once you see bubbles just starting to form around the edges, it’s ready. Don’t let it boil for too long; remove from heat as soon as the mixture comes to a gentle boil for that perfect chewy consistency.
Step 3: Make it Creamy and Balanced
Immediately add in the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is smooth and unified, taking a moment to breathe in that delicious peanutty aroma. The heat from the syrup will help the peanut butter blend right in, creating a luscious, glossy mixture.
Step 4: Fold in the Cornflakes
Add the cornflake cereal to your saucepan and, using a flexible spatula, gently fold until every flake is coated. It’s important to do this step swiftly but gently, so you don’t crush all the flakes—those airy pockets are what make Easy Cornflake Cookies so light and crisp.
Step 5: Shape and Set
Working quickly, drop heaping spoonfuls of the mixture onto your lined baking sheet, shaping into rustic mounds. If you’d like, sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top or drizzle with melted chocolate while the cookies are still a bit warm, so everything sticks beautifully. Let your cookies cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until they’re set and ready to enjoy.
How to Serve Easy Cornflake Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies are already dreamy, but a little extra flair never hurts! Try dusting warm cookies with a pinch of flaky sea salt to contrast the sweetness, or decorate with a handful of rainbow sprinkles for a colorful, festive touch that kids especially will adore.
Side Dishes
Serve Easy Cornflake Cookies alongside a cold glass of milk for the ultimate classic pairing. They also pair beautifully with coffee, hot chocolate, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want a dessert plate that pulls out all the stops.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack these cookies neatly in cellophane bags and tie with a ribbon for an adorable homemade gift. Arrange them in cupcake liners on a platter for parties, or try sandwiching a marshmallow or a schmear of Nutella between two cookies for a playful twist everyone will talk about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Easy Cornflake Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay chewy and crisp for up to 5 days. If your household is anything like mine, they’ll disappear long before then!
Freezing
If you’d like to make a big batch for future cravings, these cookies freeze surprisingly well. Arrange cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months—just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Reheating
These cookies taste great right from the counter or freezer, but if you prefer them slightly warm, pop a cookie in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. This softens the texture just a bit and brings out the gooey peanut butter notes all over again.
FAQs
Can I use honey instead of corn syrup?
Yes, you can substitute honey for the corn syrup if you prefer. The flavor will be a bit more floral and the cookies may be slightly softer, but they’re just as delightful. Keep an eye on the boiling stage to avoid burning the honey.
Are Easy Cornflake Cookies gluten-free?
They absolutely can be! Make sure to use certified gluten-free cornflake cereal and double-check your other ingredient labels just to be safe. That way, you can share these cookies with everyone.
What if I only have crunchy peanut butter?
Crunchy peanut butter is a fantastic swap—it adds an extra layer of texture and nutty surprise. You may need to stir a little more vigorously to combine everything, but the results are just as addictive.
Can I make these cookies nut-free?
If you need a nut-free version, sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter is a great stand-in for the peanut butter. The cookies will have a slightly different flavor, but will still be deliciously chewy.
How do I make perfectly even cookies?
Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to portion out the dough so your cookies are all roughly the same size. Lightly wetting your hands can also help you shape them into tidy mounds without sticking.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a quick, crowd-pleasing treat, Easy Cornflake Cookies are a joy from start to finish—within minutes, you’ll have a pile of golden, chewy gems just waiting to be shared. I hope you have as much fun making and enjoying these cookies as I do. They’re the kind of recipe that turns simple moments into sweet memories. Give them a try and watch every batch disappear!
Print
Easy Cornflake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Cornflake Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of corn syrup and peanut butter with the crunch of cornflakes. They are quick to make and require no baking, making them a perfect last-minute dessert option.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups cornflake cereal
Optional for topping:
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or melted chocolate for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the mixture: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a saucepan, heat sugar and corn syrup until just boiling. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.
- Add cornflakes: Gently fold in the cornflakes until evenly coated with the mixture.
- Shape the cookies: Drop spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet, shaping them into mounds.
- Cool and top: Let the cookies cool for about 30 minutes. Optionally, top with mini chocolate chips or drizzle with melted chocolate.
Notes
- Work quickly when mixing and shaping as the mixture sets fast.
- For extra texture, consider adding chopped peanuts or using crunchy peanut butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
