If you are looking for a simple, no-bake treat that will be ready in no time and needs just one pan to make, then Cornflake Candy is the perfect answer. Cornflakes and peanut butter once combined have an amazing taste with tons of crunch. This no-bake sweet treat will be the easiest and tastiest one that’s ever come out of your kitchen.
With this simple recipe for homemade corn flake candy, you can make up a batch whenever you need it. Add some sprinkles for a little color and fun. Plus, because you just use a pan and there’s no oven involved, they are a great treat to make with the kids.
How long does the candy take to set?
When you tell the kids you are making Old fashioned Southern Christmas candy, the first thing they want to know is how quickly they can eat it!
It takes about 20-30 minutes for the mixture to completely set, depending on how warm a day it is. So try to keep those fingers away from it until then or the mess can be epic.
Ingredients
- Corn flakes
- Corn syrup
- Granulated sugar
- Peanut butter
- Vanilla, optional
You can use either smooth or chunky peanut butter, depending on whether you like some crunch or not!
The vanilla is optional but we find it adds a little extra sweetness to the mixture so is well worth trying.
How to make Cornflake Candy
- Prepare a baking sheet by spraying with a baking spray or covering with parchment paper so the mixture doesn’t stick to it
- Measure out the cornflakes and all the other ingredients
- Mix the corn syrup with the sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla if using it and stir until mixed together
- Turn off the heat but leave the pot on the burner then add the cornflakes
- Stir quickly before the mixture cools to coat the cornflakes
- Lightly coat two spoons or a cookie scoop with the baking spray and use this to scoop the mixture to add to the baking tray
- Leave to cool completely before eating
Top Tips
To make it easier to ensure all the ingredients go into the mixture, use the baking spray on anything you use to measure or transfer the corn syrup and peanut butter. It also makes for an easier clean-up!
If you feel like you need a little extra time when it comes to mixing the cornflakes in, leave the burner on the lowest setting while you mix.
Another clean-up tip is to scrape out all of the cooled mixture possible with a spatula then quickly soak the pan in hot water for up to 15 minutes to stop it from setting on and being really hard to remove.
If you want to add sprinkles or jimmies, do as soon as you add them to the baking tray.
How do you store cornflake candy?
Once the corn flake candy has cooled completely, you can store it in an airtight container. I would recommend using sheets of plastic wrap, parchment paper, or wax paper between the pieces to stop them from sticking together and being hard to separate. They will keep for about 2 weeks this way.
What can I use in place of corn syrup?
While I definitely find that using corn syrup works best for the recipe, I know not everyone is a fan.
If you want to try making this cornflake candy without it, you could try either honey or brown rice syrup in its place. It may taste a bit different but you can try.
More Peanut Butter Treats You Don’t Want to Miss
- Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls
- Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Peanut Butter Pie
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Cornflake Candy
Ingredients
- 5 cups corn flakes
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter smooth or chunky
- 1 teaspoon vanilla optional
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet or other surface by lightly spraying with baking spray or covering with parchment paper or non-stick aluminum foil.
- Measure out the corn flakes and set aside.
- Combine the corn syrup and the granulated sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until the sugar has melted.
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla if using and stir until the peanut butter has melted.
- Turn off the heat, but leave the pot on the burner and add the cornflakes.
- Quickly stir to combine before the mixture cools off.
- Lightly coat 2 spoons or a cookie scoop with baking spray and drop onto prepared baking sheet.
- Allow to cool completely before storing in an air-tight container.
Notes
For easier clean-up spray the corn syrup and peanut butter measuring utensils with baking spray before filling.
If you keep the finished mixture over a very low heat or sitting on a cooling burner, it will give you a few extra minutes for forming before it sets.
The easiest way to clean the pan is to scrap out all of the cooled mixture you can and then soak the pan in hot water for 1- to 15 minutes, then clean as usual.
If adding sprinkles or jimmies use them immediately after dropping each piece so that they stick.
Store between sheets of plastic wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper in an airtight container.
Lesli
Mine has a tendency to be too hard once I put on the paper. Any suggestions to what I may be doing wrong?
Beth Mueller
Hi Lesli
The only thing that comes to mind is that you may be heating the sugar and corn syrup for too long or using heat that is too high and it’s cooking the candy to a hard crack stage. Hope this helps2
Anonymous
Put them in a cookie can with a slice of bread.