Old-Fashioned Cornflake Candy

It’s creamy, it’s crunchy, it’s loaded with flavor. This delicious old-fashioned candy is easy to make and will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time to the good old days!

Can I Turn Cereal Into Candy?

It all started when I stared at a large box of Frosted Flakes on top of my fridge. It either a). Needed to be tossed or b). Needed to be used. 

I went on a trip around the World Wide Web, looking for recipes to use up cornflakes. 

At first I though I might coat them in chocolate (like my peanut clusters) and add in some mini marshmallows. 

But I stumbled across an old-fashioned recipe that sounded intriguing. You can find recipes for Old-Fashioned Cornflake Candy all over the web and the recipes are pretty much the same. 

I decided to give these no bake treats! a try!

I pretty much followed the traditional recipe verbatim (shocking, I know) with only one exception: as I mentioned above, I had Frosted Flakes on hand, so I used those in place of regular corn flakes. 

Old Fashioned Cornflake Candy Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick glance at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you probably have on hand. 

• granulated sugar (white sugar)
• light corn syrup
• creamy peanut butter
• pure vanilla extract, optional
• cornflakes

How to Make Old-Fashioned Cornflake Candy

These came together so quickly and easily and I was so very happy to find a way to use my leftovers! Just follow these easy step-by-step instructions!

Prepare two cookie sheets with wax paper. Coat them lightly with softened butter. 

Start by measuring out a cup of corn syrup. Place it and one cup of sugar into a heavy sauce pan. (A medium sauce pan will do.) 

Bring sugar mixture to a light simmer on low heat. 

As soon as the sugar has melted (which will take a minute or so) turn off the heat. 

Stir in one cup of peanut butter. Mix until smooth and liquidy. 

It’s time to add the teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir it in and mix well. 

Measure out five cups of corn flakes into a large bowl. 

Pour the liquid peanut butter mixture over the corn flakes.

Stir well. 

Use a cookie scoop to measure out scoops of candy. (An ice cream scoop would be too large.)

Place scoops on buttered trays. (If you prefer, you can use wax paper or parchment paper but you’ll need to butter it.)

Allow to firm up at room temperature. 

Stir side-by-side in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

What to Expect from this Old Fashioned Cornflake Candy

I have to tell you the truth: I wasn’t sure I would care for these. The just seemed a little too old-fashioned. 

Boy, was I wrong! Turns out, I loved them! 

The combination of peanut butter and corn syrup gives the candy a bit of a butterscotch flavor. Delicious. 

I loved the crunch of the cereal and I’m so glad I didn’t go with the chocolate. The smooth creamy mixture on top of the cereal was perfection! 

They’re chewy, they’re crunchy. . .they’re perfect!

Variations on this Recipe

These cornflake candies are great, but I’m already thinking of ways to change the recipe up next time around. Here are some ideas: 

Peanuts: I think this recipe would be over-the-top with salted peanuts. They would add another layer of texture and flavor. 

Pecans: Because this nougat is somewhat reminiscent of pralines, I think pecans would be a wonderful addition!

Macadamia nuts: I think these would be delicious, too! 

M&Ms: This would certainly liven up your candies, especially during the holiday season! Valentine’s Day? Add red m&ms. Christmas? Red and green! St. Patrick’s Day? Green, of course. Halloween? Orange and black. You get the idea.

Butterscotch Chips: If you don’t have peanut butter on hand, melt a cup and a half of butterscotch chips or even peanut butter chips. 

Caramel chips: Same comment as above. Skip the peanut butter and add a cup and a half of caramel chips to the melted sugar mixture.

Coconut: Add a cup of coconut flakes before stirring the liquid into the cereal. 

Chocolate drizzle: If you like, you can drizzle some melted white chocolate or milk chocolate on top of this delicious sweet treat. If you really like this idea, melt some chocolate chips with a tablespoon of vegetable oil and completely coat your treats. Then you’ll have Cheerio Turtles!

Breakfast cereal of your choice: Use other cereals like Honey Nut Cheerios, Chex Mix, or even Cinnamon Toast Crunch. This peanut butter nougat is the perfect base for any basic cereal.

Other Cereal Candies from Out of the Box Baking

The whole family will enjoy these delicious treats. And if you want to make them even happier, why not try a few others from Out of the Box Baking? Here are some fan favorites that include your favorite breakfast cereals.

Easy Fruit Loop Puppy Chow: If you love the fruity flavors of this delicious cereal but you’re in the mood for a sweet treat everyone will enjoy, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you! This fruity puppy chow is easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and loved ones!

Strawberry Valentine Chex Mix: If you’re looking for the perfect snack to take to your next Valentine’s Day function, have I got a quick and easy treat for you! This Chex mix, like so many of the recipes on this site, starts with a boxed cake mix.

Easy Chex Shotcheroos: If you’re looking for a bar that’s rich in flavor and easy to whip up, this is it! Best of all, this is a no-bake recipe, perfect for the holidays and every day in-between.

---

That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe. 

See this recipe at

Full Plate Thursday 

Weekend Potluck

Busy Monday

---

About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 150 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.