Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe

If you’re craving an irresistibly crunchy, sweet-and-salty treat that’s super simple to make, you’re in the right spot. This Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe is a classic that brings together the best of peanut butter’s creamy richness with the crispy delight of cornflakes, all wrapped up in a sweet syrupy hug. I’ve made this candy countless times for parties, road trips, and cozy nights in — and trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to keep a batch in your pantry at all times.

this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe plays a specific role to deliver that nostalgic candy you remember from childhood. Plus, I’ll share a little shopping tip or two so you pick the right ones.

• Corn flakes: The star crunchy base—choose a sturdy brand so your candy holds up and stays delightfully crispy.
• Corn syrup: The magic binder that melts sugar gently and keeps the candy chewy, not rock hard.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create the candy’s stickiness when melted with syrup.
• Peanut butter: Creamy or chunky works—I personally love chunky here for extra peanutty texture, but go with your comfort.
• Vanilla extract (optional): Just a splash to deepen the flavor, but don’t skip—it makes a subtle difference you’ll notice.

Tweak to Your Taste

This peanut butter cornflake candy recipe is a fantastic base for you to experiment with. I often switch things up depending on who I’m serving or what’s in my pantry, and you can too! Making it your own is half the fun.

• Extra Crunch: Add chopped nuts like roasted peanuts or pecans for some delightful nutty crunch — I once added walnuts and it was a total hit at a family gathering!
• Chocolate Twist: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled candies or even mix mini chocolate chips in with the cornflakes before dropping spoonfuls.
• Sweet & Salty: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt right after scooping to elevate the classic peanut butter flavor instantly.
• No Corn Syrup Version: I’ve tried swapping corn syrup with honey, and while it changes the texture slightly, it still tastes delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe

Step 1: Prep your station

Before diving in, line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly spray it with baking spray. Have your 5 cups of corn flakes measured and ready to go. Trust me, once the syrup and peanut butter mixture is hot, you need to work fast to avoid it setting before you combine everything.

Step 2: Melt the syrup and sugar slowly

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the corn syrup and granulated sugar. Stir gently but constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. This is a key moment — you want a smooth, syrupy base that’s ready to hug the peanut butter. If the heat’s too high, the sugar might crystallize or burn, so be patient.

Step 3: Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla

Once the syrup is smooth, remove from heat but keep the pan on the burner’s residual warmth. Add your peanut butter and vanilla extract if you’re using it. Stir until the peanut butter melts fully into the mixture — you’ll see it turn glossy and attractively thick.

Step 4: Fold in the corn flakes

Add the corn flakes to the warm mixture and quickly but gently toss to coat every flake. Timing is everything here — do it fast before it cools, or the mix can harden and make it tough to mix evenly.

Step 5: Scoop and let set

Spray two spoons or a cookie scoop lightly with baking spray to prevent sticking, then drop spoonfuls of your peanut buttery cornflake mixture onto your prepared sheet. This candy sets quickly, so work efficiently. After that, simply let the candies cool until firm, which usually takes about 10 minutes.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe

Garnishes

I love to make these candies a little extra festive by adding sprinkles right after scooping, while the candy is still warm and sticky. Mini chocolate chips or a tiny drizzle of melted chocolate after cooling is also a favorite—adds a pretty touch and irresistible flavor contrast.

Side Dishes

This candy is often a star snack on its own, but I like pairing it with a hot cup of coffee or milk. For parties, it stands beautifully next to fresh fruit platters or simple cheese boards for a fun sweet and salty mix.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or special occasions, I line decorative tins or small boxes with parchment paper and layer these candies between sheets of wax paper. They make charming homemade gifts! You can even shape the mixture with cookie cutters before cooling for festive shapes during holidays.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container with sheets of parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. Stored this way, they stay fresh and crisp for up to one week—though they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

Freezing works well if you need to store them longer. I wrap individual candies in wax paper and pop them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature about 30 minutes and they taste as fresh as day one.

Reheating

If your candies get a little hard after storage, a quick zap in the microwave (5-7 seconds) softens them up nicely—just be careful not to melt or burn them. This tip really helped when I made big batches ahead of a party!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe is one of those delightful little pleasures you can whip up in virtually no time but enjoy all week long. For me, it brings back childhood memories and doubles as a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) it as much as I do. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.

Print