Irresistibly Chewy and Crispy Cornflake Cookies: Your New Go-To Recipe
Discover the delightful crunch and satisfying chew of these easy-to-make Cornflake Cookies. Each bite offers a perfect symphony of textures – a wonderfully light and crispy exterior from the cornflakes, complementing a soft, chewy cookie dough base. These cookies are not just a treat; they’re an experience, guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. If you’re searching for a simple yet incredibly flavorful cookie recipe that stands out from the crowd, look no further. This recipe promises a harmonious balance of sugary crispness and tender chewiness, making it an instant classic in your baking repertoire.
The Sweet Origin Story: A Recipe Discovered
My culinary journey with these extraordinary cookies began quite unexpectedly. I stumbled upon this gem in the “Colorado Cache Cookbook,” a thoughtful gift from a dear friend. Admittedly, the concept of cornflakes in a cookie initially raised an eyebrow. It sounded a bit unconventional, perhaps even odd. However, driven by curiosity and a love for experimenting in the kitchen, I decided to give these crispy cornflake cookies a try. What a truly welcome surprise they turned out to be! From the very first batch, it was clear: these weren’t just good cookies; they were hands down one of the best cookie recipes I had baked in a long time. The unique combination transformed a seemingly simple idea into something truly memorable.
The familiar taste of the cookie base transported me back to childhood memories, specifically reminding me of my Great Aunt Vern’s legendary sugar cookies. That distinct, comforting flavor, almost a subtle tang, comes from the inclusion of cream of tartar – an ingredient that elevates the texture and adds a nostalgic depth to the sweetness. This subtle yet significant addition is what gives these cornflake cookies their characteristic lightness and contributes to that perfect balance we all crave.
Why You’ll Adore These Cornflake Crispy Cookies
Imagine a classic sugar cookie, beloved for its simple charm and comforting flavor, now elevated with an irresistible crispy element. That’s precisely what these cornflake cookies deliver. They start with a tender, sweet cookie base, reminiscent of your favorite traditional sugar cookie, and then introduce the delightful crunch of cornflakes, transforming a familiar treat into something fresh and exciting. This innovative twist makes them incredibly versatile and destined to become your new favorite go-to cookie.
Whether you’re planning a festive holiday dessert buffet, seeking a comforting after-school snack, or preparing goodies for a Christmas cookie exchange, these cornflake crispy cookies fit every occasion perfectly. Their appealing texture and delightful flavor make them a crowd-pleaser for all ages. So, go ahead, bake a batch, pour yourself a tall glass of cold milk, and savor the pure joy of these exceptional cookies. They are guaranteed to vanish quickly!
Smart Ways to Use Up Leftover Cornflakes
If you’re anything like me, a box of cornflake cereal always seems to reside in the pantry, often with just a cup or two missing from the colossal family-sized package. It’s a common dilemma: most recipes call for only a small amount, leaving you with an abundance of cereal that threatens to go stale. Finding creative and delicious ways to utilize those leftover cornflakes is always a win-win situation. Before your cereal loses its crunch, consider these fantastic recipes that ingeniously incorporate cornflakes, ensuring nothing goes to waste:
- “Fried” Ice Cream Pie: A delightful dessert that mimics the taste of fried ice cream with a crunchy cornflake crust, without the actual frying!
- Crispy Oven “Fried” Chicken in a Biscuit Sandwiches: A savory sensation where crushed cornflakes provide an incredibly crispy coating for oven-baked chicken, perfect for hearty sandwiches.
- Old Fashioned Cherry Wink Cookies: A charming classic, these cookies often feature a cornflake coating and a cherry center, offering a beautiful blend of textures and flavors.
- Mom’s Hashbrown Potato Casserole: A comforting and savory dish where a buttery, crunchy cornflake topping adds an irresistible finish to a creamy potato casserole.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Crispy Cornflake Cookies
Crafting these delightful cornflake cookies requires only a handful of very basic, readily available ingredients. You likely have most of them in your pantry already! The magic happens when these simple components combine to create a cookie that’s greater than the sum of its parts. For precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card conveniently located at the bottom of this article.
- Butter: For the best flavor and texture, one stick (half a cup) of unsalted butter is ideal. Softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating a light and airy base for your cookie dough.
- Sugar: White granulated sugar is the star here, providing the perfect level of sweetness and contributing to the cookie’s crisp edges.
- Baking Soda: A crucial leavening agent that helps the cookies rise slightly and achieve a tender crumb, ensuring they aren’t too dense.
- Cream of Tartar: This often-overlooked ingredient is a game-changer! It’s an acidic powder that works in conjunction with baking soda to provide lift and also inhibits sugar crystallization, giving the cookies that characteristic light, airy, and slightly chewy texture that harkens back to classic sugar cookies.
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides the necessary structure for the cookies, holding all the delicious ingredients together.
- Cornflake Cereal: The namesake ingredient! One cup of cornflake cereal is essential for that signature crunch. While Kellogg’s is a popular choice, any generic brand will work just as wonderfully to deliver the desired texture.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the cookie dough, bringing everything into perfect harmony.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Irresistible Cornflake Cookies
Whipping up a batch of these crispy cornflake cookies is surprisingly quick and straightforward. Follow these simple steps to bake your way to a perfect crunchy and chewy treat.
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Environment
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). While the oven heats, take a moment to prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies won’t stick and makes for effortless cleanup, allowing them to bake evenly and slide off the pan beautifully.
Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, using either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on low speed or a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cookie’s tender texture. Next, gradually add in the dry ingredients: baking soda, cream of tartar, flour, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and a cohesive dough forms. Finally, gently fold in the cornflakes by hand. Be careful not to crush them too much; you want those distinct crispy flakes.
Step 3: Scoop and Bake to Golden Perfection
Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie for spreading. Bake the cookies for approximately 13 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; you’ll know they’re perfectly done when the edges just begin to turn a beautiful golden brown. The centers will still look soft but will set as they cool.
Step 4: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two to firm up slightly. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a wire rack ensures air circulates around the cookies, preventing soggy bottoms and allowing them to achieve their ultimate crispy-chewy texture. Once cooled, they’re ready to be devoured!
Love These Cookies? Pin This Recipe!
If you’re eager to try this incredible Cornflake Cookie Recipe and want to ensure you can easily find it later, don’t forget to save it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board now, so these delicious cookies are always just a click away when that craving hits!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cornflake Cookies
Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure your cornflake cookie baking experience is a complete success!
Can I use margarine instead of butter in my cookie recipe?
Yes, you can certainly swap out butter for margarine in your cookie recipe, using the same amount. This can be a practical option if you’re aiming to create a dairy-free or vegan version of a recipe. However, it’s crucial to understand that this substitution will notably alter the final texture and flavor of your cookies.
Butter, with its higher fat content, imparts a rich, creamy flavor and helps cookies achieve a beautiful crispness around the edges while maintaining a soft, chewy center. Margarine, on the other hand, typically contains more water and less fat. This higher water content tends to produce a crispier cookie that spreads thinner during baking. Additionally, cookies made with margarine can be more prone to burning, so you’ll need to watch them closely. If you choose to use margarine, opt for stick margarine with a higher fat content (often containing trans fats, which mimic butter’s structure) as it will yield results closer to butter than softer tub margarines.
When were Kellogg’s Corn Flakes invented?
The iconic Corn Flakes cereal was invented in 1894 by physician John Harvey Kellogg. His original intention was to create a healthy and easily digestible morning meal for patients at the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan, where he served as superintendent. He aimed for a bland diet that he believed would promote a “fresh mind” and spiritual purity. The discovery of flaked cereal was somewhat accidental, stemming from an experiment where boiled wheat was left to stand, then rolled and flaked. When they tried this with corn, Corn Flakes were born.
Kellogg patented the process for creating flaked cereals in 1895. While his initial vision was rooted in specific dietary theories, his younger brother, Will Keith Kellogg, later commercialized the cereal, focusing on widespread appeal and adding sugar to make them more palatable to the general public, leading to the global brand we know today. There’s a fascinating history behind Kellogg’s and their dietary philosophies, which you might enjoy researching further!
Customizing Your Cornflake Cookies: Delicious Substitutions
One of the joys of baking is the ability to adapt recipes to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. These cornflake cookies are wonderfully forgiving, allowing for a few simple substitutions that can subtly alter their flavor and texture, creating new variations to love.
- Butter: As discussed in the FAQs, margarine can be used as a direct substitute for butter. Keep in mind that using stick margarine with a higher fat content will yield results closer to butter, though the texture will be crispier and thinner. For a completely dairy-free option, some bakers successfully use solid coconut oil, though this can impart a slight coconut flavor.
- Sugar: While white granulated sugar is specified in this recipe, feel free to experiment with half white sugar and half light brown sugar. Light brown sugar contains molasses, which adds a subtle caramel note and contributes to an even chewier, moister cookie. This can deepen the flavor profile beautifully.
- Cornflakes: The crisp texture is key, but cornflakes aren’t the only cereal that can provide it!
- Rice Krispies: These offer a lighter, more delicate crispness, providing a subtle snap without overpowering the cookie’s flavor.
- Frosted Flakes: If you’re looking to add an extra layer of sweetness and a slightly different glazed crunch, Frosted Flakes can be a fun alternative.
- Special K or Wheaties: These cereals can also work, offering a heartier crunch and a slightly different nutritional profile, though their flavor might be a bit more pronounced than traditional cornflakes.
Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cornflake Cookies Every Time
Achieving cookie perfection is easier than you think with these clever tips and tricks. Elevate your baking game and ensure your cornflake cookies turn out perfectly crisp and chewy with every batch.
- Chill Your Dough: For enhanced flavor and to prevent excessive spreading during baking, consider making your dough ahead of time and letting it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even up to a day in advance. Remember to bring the dough back to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before scooping and baking to ensure it’s pliable.
- Uniform Cookies with a Scoop: For perfectly uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professional, invest in a cookie scoop. A consistent size ensures all cookies are done at the same time, preventing some from being overbaked while others are still soft.
- Double the Deliciousness: This recipe makes a small batch, which is great for a quick treat. However, these cookies are so popular, you might want to double, or even triple, the recipe right from the start! It’s easy to scale up the ingredients to ensure you have plenty to share (or keep all to yourself!).
- Flavor Enhancements: Don’t be afraid to get creative with add-ins! Once you’ve folded in the cornflakes, gently mix in about ½ cup of your favorite extras. Mini chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), or even coconut flakes can introduce exciting new flavor profiles and textures to your cookies.
- Smart Storage Solutions: To keep your cornflake cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. If you’ve baked a larger batch or want to enjoy them later, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply layer them between sheets of wax paper in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature for a quick return to cookie bliss.
Explore More Irresistible Cookie Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with these crispy cornflake cookies, you’re in for a treat! My kitchen is always baking up new and classic cookie recipes designed to delight. Expand your cookie repertoire with some of these other fantastic creations, perfect for any occasion:
- Mom’s Yum Yum Cookies (pictured above) – A cherished family recipe, these cookies live up to their name with every delicious bite.
- Vanilla Crown Royal Cookies – A sophisticated treat with a hint of vanilla and a smooth, rich flavor.
- Funfetti Sugar Cookies – Bright, cheerful, and incredibly fun to make and eat, perfect for celebrations.
- Grinch Shortbread Bites – Festive and buttery shortbread, ideal for holiday gatherings.
- Seven Layer Cookies – A classic bar cookie packed with rich flavors and textures, incredibly decadent.
- Turtle Cookies – Combining chocolate, caramel, and pecans, these cookies are a chewy, nutty delight.
See ALL of my COOKIE RECIPES for endless baking inspiration!
A Recipe with a Heart: Supporting a Great Cause
This delightful recipe is proudly featured as part of The Sweetest Season, an annual virtual cookie swap that brings together food bloggers from across the country. Co-hosted by Erin of The Speckled Palate and Susannah of Feast + West, this wonderful event encourages bakers to share new holiday cookie recipes while supporting a vital cause.
Each year, The Sweetest Season leverages the power of community and delicious cookies to raise money for Cookies 4 Kids’ Cancer. This remarkable 501(c)3 non-profit organization is entirely dedicated to funding innovative and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer research. Their mission is critical, as pediatric cancer often lacks the funding and research attention of adult cancers, leaving children with fewer treatment options.
Since its inception in 2008, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has made an extraordinary impact, granting nearly $18 million to pediatric cancer research. This funding has supported over 100 research grants to leading pediatric cancer centers nationwide, directly leading to the development of more than 35 treatments currently available to children battling cancer today. These breakthroughs offer hope and improved outcomes for countless families.
Even more exciting, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer often partners with generous sponsors like OXO. During special matching windows, like the one active through the end of 2022, OXO matches every dollar raised, up to $100,000. This means that every donation you make through our fundraising page is automatically doubled, making your contribution twice as impactful! We earnestly invite you to join us in supporting this incredibly important cause. Your donation, no matter the size, directly helps fund groundbreaking research that saves lives and improves the quality of life for children with cancer. Please consider donating through our fundraising page and help us make a difference.
Whip Up These Wonderful Cornflake Cookies Today!
Don’t wait another moment to experience the magic of these cornflake crispy cookies. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation, you can have a batch of these irresistible treats ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes! Their perfect blend of sweet, chewy, and crispy textures will make them an instant hit and quickly establish them as one of your family’s most requested and beloved cookie recipes. Bake them today and watch them disappear!
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Print Recipe
Cornflake Crispy Cookies
Equipment
- 13×18 Half Sheet Pan
- Wilton Stainless Steel Cookie Scoop
- Glass Batter Bowl
- Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
- KitchenAid Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¾ cup flour
- 1 cup Cornflakes cereal
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in baking soda, cream of tartar, flour and salt. Mix well until a cohesive dough forms.
- Gently fold in the cornflakes by hand, being careful not to crush them too much.
- Drop tablespoon-sized cookie balls onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 13 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes before serving.