Cornflake Brownies combine the fudgy decadence of classic chocolate brownies with a crispy, caramelized cornflake topping that creates an irresistible texture contrast. This innovative dessert transforms the humble cornflake cereal into a gourmet treat by incorporating it into a buttery caramel layer that sits atop a rich, chocolatey brownie base. The result is a sophisticated sweet that balances nostalgic comfort with unexpected crunch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The perfect balance of textures: fudgy chocolate brownie base with crispy, caramelized cornflake topping
• Make-ahead friendly – actually tastes better the next day when flavors have melded
• Impressive dessert that looks complex but follows straightforward steps
• A unique twist on traditional brownies that will have everyone asking for the recipe
• Customizable with various add-ins to suit your taste preferences

Ingredients

• Dark Chocolate: Choose a high-quality dark chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content for the best flavor. In a pinch, you can substitute with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
• Unsalted Butter: Used in both layers to provide richness. Make sure it’s at room temperature for the cornflake layer to properly incorporate with the sugar.
• Eggs: These provide structure and richness to the brownie base. They should be at room temperature for better incorporation.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper, more complex flavor to the brownie layer than using granulated sugar alone.
• Granulated Sugar: Used in both layers, it provides sweetness and helps create that perfect crackly brownie top and caramelized cornflake topping.
• Plain Flour: Provides structure to the brownies. Use all-purpose flour or for a slightly chewier texture, bread flour can be substituted.
• Cocoa Powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor. Use Dutch-processed cocoa for a deeper, smoother chocolate taste.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors in both layers. Don’t skip this ingredient as it balances the sweetness.
• Double Cream: Creates a smooth, luxurious caramel for the cornflake layer. Heavy cream or whipping cream makes a suitable replacement.
• Cornflakes: The star of the topping! Use fresh, crispy cornflakes for the best texture contrast.

Variations

Salted Caramel Cornflake Brownies

Add extra flaky sea salt to the caramel cornflake mixture and sprinkle additional salt on top before setting for a sophisticated sweet-and-salty dessert experience. The salt crystals will pop against the sweet caramel creating an addictive flavor contrast.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cornflake Brownies

Swirl 1/2 cup of melted peanut butter into the brownie batter before baking, and add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the caramel cornflake mixture for an irresistible chocolate-peanut butter combination that complements the crunchy cornflakes perfectly.

Triple Chocolate Cornflake Brownies

Add white chocolate chips to the brownie batter and drizzle melted milk chocolate over the finished cornflake layer for an indulgent triple chocolate experience. The varied chocolate flavors create wonderful depth against the crunchy cornflake topping.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Brownie Base

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C/350°F and lining a 9×12 inch cake tin with parchment paper, ensuring some paper hangs over the edges for easy removal later. Melt the butter and dark chocolate together either in a pot over medium heat or in the microwave, stirring frequently until completely smooth. Allow this mixture to cool slightly while you beat the eggs and sugars together until pale and voluminous – this creates that perfect crackly brownie top. Gently fold in the chocolate mixture, then add the flour, cocoa powder, and salt, mixing just until combined to avoid toughening the brownies. Pour the batter into your prepared tin and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs.

Step 2: Create the Caramel for Cornflake Layer

While the brownies are cooling, make the caramel by gradually melting the sugar in a large, high-sided pot over medium heat. This staged approach – adding sugar in batches and allowing each addition to begin melting before adding more – prevents crystallization. Once all the sugar has melted into a deep amber caramel, immediately remove from heat and add the butter in two stages, stirring constantly. The mixture will bubble vigorously. Carefully pour in the warm cream in a slow stream while stirring continuously. Return to medium heat and cook for about 2 minutes to achieve the perfect caramel consistency.

Step 3: Complete the Cornflake Layer and Assemble

Remove the caramel from heat and stir in salt to taste. Fold in the cornflakes gently but thoroughly, ensuring every flake is coated with caramel while trying not to crush them. Spread this mixture evenly over the still-warm brownie base, pressing down lightly to adhere the layers together. Allow the brownies to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before transferring to the refrigerator to set completely for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Once set, use the parchment overhang to lift the entire dessert from the pan, and cut into squares with a sharp knife.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Allow the chocolate-butter mixture to cool before adding to eggs to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely
• Whip the eggs and sugar until truly doubled in volume for that perfect crackly brownie top
• For the caramel, use a large, heavy-bottomed pot as the mixture will bubble up significantly when adding butter and cream
• Warm the cream slightly before adding to the caramel to prevent seizing
• Have all caramel ingredients measured and ready before starting the process as timing is crucial
• Slightly underbake the brownie layer for maximum fudginess, as it will continue cooking after removal from the oven
• Refrigerate the final dessert in the pan for clean cuts – cold brownies slice much more neatly

How to Serve

These Cornflake Brownies make a spectacular dessert served slightly chilled with a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream to contrast with the rich chocolate and crunchy topping. For an extra touch of elegance, dust with a light sprinkle of cocoa powder or serve with fresh berries on the side. These brownies pair wonderfully with coffee, particularly espresso, which complements the deep chocolate flavor. For a decadent dessert board, cut brownies into smaller pieces and serve alongside other chocolate treats and fruit for guests to sample.

Make Ahead

These Cornflake Brownies actually improve with time, making them perfect for make-ahead preparation. The brownie layer can be baked up to 2 days in advance and kept at room temperature, tightly wrapped. The complete brownies (with cornflake layer) can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper. For longer storage, cut brownies can be frozen individually, wrapped in plastic wrap and foil, for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture restoration.

FAQs

Why did my caramel crystallize and become grainy?

Caramel crystallization typically happens when sugar crystals form during the melting process. To prevent this, avoid stirring too vigorously when the sugar is first melting, make sure your pot is completely clean before starting, and add the sugar gradually as directed in the recipe. If crystallization occurs, adding a tablespoon of water and heating gently can sometimes rescue the caramel.

Can I use no-boil brownies mix instead of making the brownie layer from scratch?

While you could use a boxed brownie mix for convenience, the homemade brownie base provides a denser, fudgier texture that better supports the cornflake topping. If using a mix, choose one that produces fudgy rather than cakey brownies and consider adding an extra egg to increase density.

How do I know when my brownies are perfectly baked?

The ideal brownie for this recipe should be slightly underbaked in the center, as it will continue cooking from residual heat and will be refrigerated later. Test by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. The edges should be set and may begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan.

How long do the cornflake brownies need to set?

While the recipe recommends a minimum of 2 hours of refrigeration, overnight setting produces the best results. This extended chilling time allows the caramel to fully set and the flavors to meld beautifully. The brownies are much easier to cut cleanly after a full setting period.

Conclusion

These Cornflake Brownies represent the perfect marriage of nostalgic cereal treats and sophisticated dessert craftsmanship. With their fudgy chocolate base and crispy caramelized topping, they offer an exciting textural experience that elevates the humble brownie to new heights. Don’t be intimidated by the caramel-making process – follow the step-by-step instructions, and you’ll create a show-stopping dessert that will become a requested favorite. Whether for special occasions or weekend indulgence, these brownies are well worth the effort and are guaranteed to impress even the most discerning sweet tooth.

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