Cornflake Marshmallow Cookies are a sweet and chewy treat that balances crispy cornflakes with soft marshmallows and a rich buttery dough. Inspired by the famous Momofuku Milk Bar cookies, these homemade goodies deliver layers of texture and flavor in every bite. Perfect for bake sales, dessert platters, or a cozy indulgence at home, these cookies will have everyone asking for seconds!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

Cornflake Crunch:

5 cups Cornflakes
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt

Cookies:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1¼ cups granulated sugar
⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups Cornflake Crunch (from above)
⅔ cup mini marshmallows
⅔ cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

To Make Cornflake Crunch:

Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C).
In a large bowl, gently crush cornflakes with your hands. Add melted butter, sugar, and salt. Toss until evenly coated.
Spread mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Let cool completely before using.

To Make Cookies:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Add egg and vanilla extract, mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
Fold in Cornflake Crunch, marshmallows, and chocolate chips.
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 3 inches apart.
Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are slightly set.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Nutrients

Calories: 210
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 130mg
Total Carbohydrates: 29g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 17g
Protein: 2g

Why Cornflakes and Marshmallows?

Cornflakes might seem like an unusual addition to cookies, but they serve a crucial purpose. Their natural crispiness offers a satisfying crunch, while their lightness prevents the cookie from becoming too dense. Toasting the cornflakes in butter and sugar enhances their flavor and ensures they remain crispy even after baking. The marshmallows, on the other hand, bring a nostalgic, childhood appeal. As they bake, they melt slightly but do not completely lose their shape, creating delightful pockets of gooey sweetness within the cookie. This textural contrast is a key element that gives these cookies their signature charm.

Furthermore, using cornflakes and marshmallows aligns well with the cookie’s flavor profile by adding subtle sweetness and a mild corn taste without overpowering the other ingredients. It’s a clever way to incorporate breakfast cereal into a dessert, bridging two very different culinary worlds and creating a new, exciting treat.

Cultural and Culinary Context

Cornflake Marshmallow Cookies can be seen as part of a broader trend in modern baking that celebrates playful ingredient combinations and nostalgic flavors. The concept draws from the cult-favorite Milk Bar cookies popularized by chef Christina Tosi, who revolutionized baking by incorporating unexpected elements like crushed cereal and toffee bits into classic desserts.

This recipe taps into that spirit, making gourmet-style cookies accessible for home bakers. It reflects a modern culinary movement that appreciates both creativity and comfort food, allowing everyday cooks to experiment with textures and flavors while still producing something familiar and deeply satisfying.

Versatility and Occasions

These cookies are incredibly versatile and fit well in many dessert situations. Their playful crunch and chewy sweetness make them ideal for bake sales, holiday cookie exchanges, casual get-togethers, or even as an indulgent snack with afternoon tea or coffee. Because they combine multiple textures and flavors, they appeal to a broad range of palates, including both children and adults.

Additionally, their unique composition means they hold up well during transport, making them perfect for gifting or potlucks. Unlike some overly soft cookies that can crumble or lose shape, the cornflakes add structure that helps maintain the cookie’s integrity.

Nutritional Perspective

While these cookies are undeniably indulgent, they can also be appreciated in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The recipe combines fats from butter, sugars from marshmallows and chocolate chips, and carbohydrates from flour and cornflakes, offering energy-dense nourishment. However, due to the presence of sugars and saturated fats, it’s best to enjoy these treats occasionally.

Homemade cookies also offer an advantage over many commercially produced snacks, as they allow you to control ingredient quality. You can opt for real butter, reduce added sugars, or substitute mini chocolate chips for dark chocolate pieces to increase antioxidant intake. The presence of cornflakes adds a tiny bit of fiber compared to plain cookies, though these remain primarily a dessert.

Baking Tips and Tricks

Achieving the perfect texture in these cookies can be a delightful challenge. One key tip is to ensure the cornflakes are toasted properly before folding into the dough. This prevents sogginess and helps maintain their crunch. Similarly, using mini marshmallows rather than large ones ensures they distribute evenly and melt into small, soft pockets.

Another important tip is to avoid overbaking. The edges should be golden, but the centers still soft to keep that chewy, gooey characteristic. Removing cookies from the oven just before they look fully set allows them to finish cooking on the warm baking sheet without drying out.

Chilling the dough before baking can also help maintain shape and prevent excessive spreading, especially in warm kitchens. If you want a more chocolate-forward cookie, increasing the chocolate chips or using semi-sweet or dark varieties can provide deeper flavor without sacrificing texture.

Creative Variations

Cornflake Marshmallow Cookies are an excellent base recipe that invites creativity. You can customize them by swapping the mini chocolate chips for white chocolate, peanut butter chips, or even dried fruit pieces like cranberries for a tart twist. Adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking can create a wonderful salty-sweet contrast that heightens the flavors.

For a seasonal spin, try mixing in some pumpkin spice during fall or cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm winter flavor. You might also experiment with different cereals—try rice krispies or crushed pretzels for unique crunch profiles.

For those with dietary restrictions, gluten-free flour blends can be used to adapt the recipe, or coconut oil can replace butter for a dairy-free version, though this may alter the flavor and texture slightly.

The Joy of Homemade Cookies

Making Cornflake Marshmallow Cookies from scratch is a rewarding experience. Unlike pre-packaged cookies, these give you full control over ingredients and freshness, while the baking process itself is fun and approachable for all skill levels. The smell of baking butter, sugar, and toasted cornflakes filling the kitchen is an added sensory delight that heightens the anticipation of enjoying these treats.

Homemade cookies also foster a sense of connection—whether baking with family, sharing with friends, or gifting to neighbors, they bring people together through shared enjoyment. They make memorable gifts and conversation starters, especially when you tell the story behind their unique texture and flavor.

Conclusion

Cornflake Marshmallow Cookies are a standout dessert that marries nostalgic ingredients with modern baking creativity. Their irresistible combination of crunchy cornflakes, chewy marshmallows, and rich chocolate chips nestled in a buttery cookie dough offers a complex and satisfying treat. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies elevate the simple act of baking into a joyful exploration of texture and flavor.

Whether you’re an experienced baker looking to try something new or a beginner wanting an approachable but impressive recipe, these cookies deliver on both taste and experience. They remind us that sometimes the best treats come from combining familiar elements in unexpected ways — creating something both comforting and exciting to savor.

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