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    Home » Recipes

    Simple peanut butter cornflake bars

    November 2, 2021 by Carrie 1 Comment

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    Simple peanut butter cornflake bars are the perfect start to the holiday season. They are delicious and a great snack for kiddos with an active schedule. Nonetheless, my daughter is very active with gymnastics two times a week and when she gets off the bus, these have been her go to bar before leaving. 

    These are a layered dessert bar! The center consists of a chocolate butterscotch and marshmallow layer and both the top and bottom are filled with a peanut butter cornflake crunch! One bite and you will be hooked! 

    I spiced up the bars with my center layer of the the chocolate and butterscotch layer. Traditionally these bars have just been made with a Hershey chocolate bar layer, but I wanted to add my own pizazz to them! 

    Check out a few more of my bar recipes such as Mint chocolate chess bars, Easy apple blondies, and Million dollar bars.

    Easy cornflake bars

    Ingredients and substitutions

    Most of these ingredients will be in your pantry, but feel free to substitute. These are the perfect combination of sweet and savory (my favorite). However, substitutions can be made! I adapted this recipe from my maternal grandmother. 

    • Cornflakes: I used the Cornflake brand cereal, but feel free to use generic cereal or even the cornflakes crumbs. 
    • Powdered milk: There are several brands for powdered milk that will all work, however my favorite is Great Value at Walmart. Coffee creamer can also be used if your local grocery store doesn't have powdered milk.
    • Flour: In the bars both bread and all purpose flour will be used. Bread flour tends to give the bars a more chewy texture and enhances flavor. In a pinch, if you don't have bread flour, you can just use all-purpose flour, but texture will be altered!
    • Peanut butter: Any brand of peanut butter will work in these bars, just make sure it is creamy. 
    • Chocolate: I used both semi-sweet and butterscotch chips for the center layer. This layer is traditionally seen on Scotch-a-roos. 
    • Marshmallows: I used the mini marshmallows. If you only have larger ones, just cut up into smaller pieces so that they cover the entire center layer. 

    Tips for the best peanut butter cornflake crunch

    The cornflake crunch is what makes these easy cornflake bars extra special. Follow these tips for the perfect cornflake crunch!

    • Make sure to not crush the cornflakes too much. If they are crushed down into a dust like mixture, the clusters will not form right. 
    • By adding kosher or flaky sea salt will help give the clusters the perfect salty flavor it needs!
    • These clusters can be made ahead of time and can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.  

    See this link on how to make the perfect cornflake crunch.

    Easy cornflake bars

    Step by step instructions for the bars

    • First, make the cornflake crunch. Line a baking sheet with either parchment paper or silicon mats. Add cornflakes to a bag and crush down with a rolling pin. In a bowl, mix together the cornflakes, powdered milk, sugar, and salt. Pour in melted butter and peanut butter and toss again.  Bake for 20 minutes at 275 degrees and let cool completely. Break up and set aside until ready for assembly of bars. 
    • Second, make the bars. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray. In a large mixing bowl and with an electric hand mixer on medium, cream together the butter and both sugars until smooth. 
    • Third, add in the egg and vanilla. Mix on medium for another 6-8 minutes. This will cream air in the batter making the texture more fluffy. 
    • Fourth, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until incorporated. Gently, fold in the cooled cornflake clusters. 

    Assembly of bars

    Once all the ingredients have been made for both the cornflake crunch and bars, it is time to assemble them!

    First, layer the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan with half of the batter. Press firmly down into an even layer. Next, top with the semi sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and mini marshmallows. Then, add the mini marshmallows. Finally, add the rest of the batter on top. 

    Bake the bars at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Let them cool completely, then cut and serve. Enjoy!

    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Crushed cornflakes and other dry ingredients
    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Add peanut butter to cornflake crunch
    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Place peanut butter cornflake crunch on baking sheet
    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Bake cornflake crunch
    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Cream both sugars, vanilla extract and eggs until well combined
    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Mix in flours, baking soda, and salt until combined
    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Place half of the dough on bottom of prepared pan
    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Top with both chips
    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Add marshmallows
    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
    Add the rest of the dough on top and bake for 25-30 minutes

    FAQ's

    Can these treats be made without peanut butter?

    Yes, for those with a peanut allergy you can use almond butter.

    Can these treats be frozen?

    Yes, place in an airtight container and layer wax paper between each layer.

    Easy cornflake bars with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.

    Peanut butter Cornflake bars

    Carrie
    Cornflake bars are a peanut butter cornflake topping layered between marshmallows, chocolate and another layer of cornflakes.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 bars
    Calories 596 kcal

    Equipment

    • Electric mixer
    • Baking sheets
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Mixing bowls
    • spatula
    • 9x13 cake pan

    Ingredients
      

    Cornflake crunch topping

    • 4 cups cornflakes
    • ⅓ cup powdered milk
    • 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
    • ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter melted

    For the bars

    • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1⅓ cups granulated sugar
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 large egg
    • 1⅔ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup bread flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups marshmallows mini
    • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • ½ cup butterscotch chips

    Instructions
     

    Cornflake crunch topping

    • Preheat oven to 275°. Line a baking sheet with either parchment paper or a silicon mat. But cornflakes in a bag and crush with a rolling pin. Melt butter and peanut butter in a microwavable bowl.
    • In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together the crushed cornflakes, granulated sugar, powdered milk, and salt.
    • Pour in melted butter over cornflake mixture and toss to combine. It is okay if the cornflakes form littler clusters.
    • Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the mixture is slightly toasted.
    • Cool completely and break up any larger clusters into little bits.

    For the bars

    • Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with non stick spray and set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed cream butter and both sugars until smooth. Add large egg and vanilla extract. Mix for an additional 8-9 minutes to allow air into the dough.
    • Add in both flours, baking soda and powder, and salt and mix on low just until it is combined. Fold in cornflake crunch.
    • Divide the dough in half and place half of it on the bottom of the greased pan. Press down into an even layer. Top it with semi-sweet, butterscotch chips, and marshmallows.
    • Cover the rest with the rest of the dough in an even layer on top and extend all the way to the edges. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before cutting and serving!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 12barsCalories: 596kcalCarbohydrates: 83gProtein: 6gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 159mgFiber: 2gSugar: 52gVitamin A: 942IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword Cornflakes, layered dessert bars
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


    Dessert bars to enjoy!

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    • No bake passionfruit cheesecake bars
    • Strawberry bars with a banana crust

    Fun fact of the day!

    Pound cake is called pound cake because there was a pound of every ingredient in the original recipe.

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    1. causinga stir

      May 17, 2022 at 2:29 am

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    About me Carrie Blaser

    Hi my name is Carrie. I am just a sassy girl from the midwest that has a sweet tooth for any type of dessert. I grew up in the kitchen and remember making my sister scrambled eggs at 8 years old. But I really fell in love with baking when I made my first Betty Crocker cake out of the box. I like to think that I have come a long way since then!

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