If there had ever been a minimalist movement in desserts, these Cornflake And Chocolate Clusters would be at the forefront. When you travel to France, it becomes evident that the pastries are numerous and one more complex than the next. But there are also super simple but delicious recipes like these Cornflake and Chocolate Clusters.
I first started working with chocolate when I lived in Paris during culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu. Honestly, I don’t know what was harder to grasp: how to temper chocolate or make laminated dough (aka puff pastry) from scratch.
But then I came across the simplicity of these Cornflake and Chocolate Clusters. You melt, mix, and let them set up. They’re easier to make than chocolate truffles or brownies but just as impressive. Over the years, I’ve added them to my holiday cookie boxes and whipped them up for a last-minute dinner party.
Why You’ll Love These Cornflake and Chocolate Clusters
So, these super simple-to-make Cornflake and Chocolate Clusters could feel a bit out of place among the lineup of classic French desserts. But, just like a simple haute couture dress, simplicity is the genius behind these treats.
I first heard of these Cornflake and Chocolate Clusters from the beloved French chef Jacques Pepin. And he got the idea from the French chocolate master, Jacques Torres. There’s sweetness, crunch, and everything in balance- simple but brilliant.
Traditionally, these are made with tempered chocolate, but we skipped that in this recipe to make an even easier version of the classic Cornflake and Chocolate Clusters.
Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients needed to make these Cornflake and Chocolate Clusters are:
- Milk chocolate – This calls for more milk chocolate than dark so that there’s a sweetness to the treat.
- Dark chocolate – Opt for something high-quality and, if you have the choice, use discs (aka couverture) because they melt evenly.
- Cornflake cereal – Yes, you could use any cereal and mix up the flavors but just start with classic cornflakes and go from there.
- Flaky sea salt or Chile Salt – This is not traditional but adds a touch of sophistication! Use flake Maldon sea salt or mix salt with a chile like Piment d’Ville from Boonville Barn Collective.
How To Make This Recipe
This Cornflake and Chocolate Clusters recipe is super simple. To make it, you:
- Prepare A Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the chocolate, stirring until smooth, either in the microwave or over a pan of simmering water.
- Add The Cornflakes: Mix in the cornflakes until they’re evenly coated – it’s totally okay if some get crushed. (If you have leftover cornflakes, use them to make our Rosemary Cornflake Oven Fried Chicken!)
- Form Cluster: Drop the scoops of clusters onto a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt, if using, then set in the refrigerator or freezer until firm.
Variations On These Chocolate Clusters
If you have had the quick dessert known as haystacks, you may notice that these are pretty similar. So, you could borrow a page from that dessert and alter these Chocolate Clusters accordingly. For example, you could add shredded coconut, slivered almonds, oats, or whatever you desire. They won’t be classic but they will still be delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cornflakes And Chocolate Clusters
Chocolate Cornflake Clusters are a simple, no-bake dessert from France that are made by combining cornflakes with melted chocolate. They are often formed into small clusters and allowed to set, resulting in a crunchy and sweet treat.
Melt chocolate, either in a microwave or over a double boiler, then gently fold in the cornflakes until they're fully coated with the chocolate mixture. Spoon the mixture into clusters on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow to set in the refrigerator or freezer.
Yes, to make them vegan, use dairy-free chocolate. For a gluten-free version, ensure that your cornflakes are certified gluten-free.
Other Easy Chocolate Recipes
Now that you have Cornflake and Chocolate Clusters down, here are a few more of our easiest chocolate recipes:
- Almond Butter Chocolate Bark Recipe
- Toasted Coconut and Coffee Chocolate Bark
- Superfood Chocolate Coins Recipe
- Mint Chocolate Truffles
- Chocolate Covered Prune And Almond Clusters
Go stock up on all your baking essentials, then share your creation with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
France Travel Guide
Dreaming of traveling to France to try these treats in real life? You’ll want to thumb through our France Travel Guide where we share essential travel tips and France-inspired recipes!
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Cornflake And Chocolate Clusters Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces milk chocolate coarsely chopped
- 4 ounces dark chocolate coarsely chopped
- 2 1/2 cups corn flake cereal
- Maldon sea salt or other flaky sea salt, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl then set over a pan of simmering water and stir until smooth, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and immediately stir in the cornflakes until they're well coated (it's totally fine if some of them get broken and crushed).
- Use a tablespoon measure to scoop up a bit of the mixture, then drop onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat, leaving 1-inch in between each cluster until you've used up all the mixture. You should have about 24 clusters.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the top, if using. Set aside to cool (or refrigerate or freeze) until ready to use. (These can be made up to 5 days ahead of time and stored refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to eat.)
