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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Recipes

    Vegan Chocolate Crackles

    Published: Oct 23, 2019 · Modified: May 12, 2023 by Dianne · This post may contain affiliate links

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    These Vegan Chocolate Crackles are crispy, chocolaty, and perfect for an afternoon sweet treat or evening dessert. They're a terrific treat for holiday parties, too! Serve them on Halloween, Christmas, or New Year's Eve! This easy to make recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free.

    crackles overhead with text overlay

    Chocolate Crackels

    My dad was in the Air Force when I was young, and I grew up in various parts of the world. We lived in England for a few years when I was pretty small, in a little beach village on the North Sea, not too far from the base where he was stationed. We lived on the High Street, nestled between shops like the local newsagent, the Co-Op, and a small bookstore. Just a few doors down from us was a small bakery, and my mom and I would often pop in for a little afternoon snack. My favorite sweet treat was chocolate crackels, chocolatey clusters that were made with corn flakes. My mom found a used cookbook in the local thrift shop that had a similar recipe, and we would sometimes make them at home.

    crackles with pumpkins

    Chocolate crackels are a popular treat in New Zealand and Australia. They're especially popular with kids, since they're so easy to make. They're often made with rice crispies, and coconut shreds are usually added to the mix. The version I loved as a child were made with cornflakes, and they didn't contain coconut, so that's the way I've made my recipe. Feel free to use puffed rice cereal instead of cornflakes, if you like.

    How do you do cookery cookbook

    How Do You do Cookery

    Despite the many moves I’ve undergone since then, I’ve managed to hold on to that cookbook. How-Do-You-Do Cookery by Jennie Corbett is a thin hardcover, with just 30 pages, and it’s either meant for children or adults who have absolutely no experience in the kitchen. The pages are yellowed with age and stained with food, and there are notes throughout written by the previous owner, but I will never get rid of it. It was my very first cookbook, after all! I love the cat sleeping under the table on the book's cover. My Archie would be up on the table sampling all of the dishes!

    crackle in my hand

    Vegan Chocolate Crackles

    Chocolate Crackles are the first recipe in the book, in the Cakes and Scones chapter. They’re loaded with sugar and margarine. It’s a recipe I’ve wanted to veganize for quite a while now, and with the holidays not too far away, now seems like the perfect time for a chocolatey treat.

    cornflakes, cocoa, coconut oil, brown rice syrup

    How To Make Vegan Chocolate Crackles

    This recipe is really easy to make, and it comes together in just a few short steps:

    mixing cornflakes into chocolate
    • First, you heat the brown rice syrup and coconut oil in a large pot and whisk them until the coconut oil has melted.
    • Next, you remover the pot from the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder and non-dairy milk.
    • Then, you gently fold in the corn flakes.
    • Finally, you scoop the mixture into muffin liners and let it set. Once it cools, you'll have little clusters of chocolate goodness on your hands!
    scooping cornflakes into lines

    Sweeteners

    I don’t like my chocolate to taste too sweet, but if you prefer a little sweetness, you can add 2 or 3 tablespoons of finely ground sugar to the mixture while you’re adding the cocoa powder and nondairy milk. Taste the chocolate before mixing in the cornflakes and add sweetener to your liking. I suggest using organic Sucanat (which is short for sugar cane natural) or coconut sugar. They're less processed and contain minor amounts of nutrients. Plus, they're not process with bone char like non-organic sugars, so they're suitable for vegans.

    Christmas Crackles with santa mug

    The original crackles recipe calls for corn syrup, which I don't use. I've replaced it with brown rice syrup, because it's sticky and hold the clusters together well. Other liquid sweeteners, such as maple syrup and agave are too thin, and the flavor of molasses would overpower the recipe.

    If you'd prefer to make smaller crackles, you'll need about 20 mini muffin liners.

    crackles with halloween cat mug
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    crackles on plate overhead square

    Vegan Chocolate Crackles

    Dianne
    These vegan Chocolate Crackles are crispy, chocolaty, and perfect for an afternoon sweet treat or evening dessert! They're perfect for holiday parties, too! This easy to make recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free.
    3 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Chocolate Crackles
    Calories 94 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup brown rice syrup
    • 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
    • 1 cup cocoa powder
    • 1 cup plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk
    • 2-3 tablespoons finely ground coconut sugar or sucanant optional
    • 4 cups cornflakes (or puffed rice cereal)

    Instructions
     

    • Have paper cupcake liners ready for the finished Crackles. You'll need 12 liners.
    • Add the brown rice syrup and coconut oil to a large pot over low heat. Whisk together until the coconut oil has melted.
    • Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa powder, non-dairy milk, and sugar, if using. Stir to combine everything thoroughly.
    • Gently fold in the cornflakes into the chocolate mixture and carefully mix until they’re completely coated.
    • Use a large spoon or scoop to form the mixture into balls, and place them in paper cupcake liners. You'll need about ¼ cup for each one.
    • Allow the crackles to cool completely. Once the chocolate has cooled, the mixture will form chocolaty clusters.
    Calories: 94kcal
    Tried this recipe?Tag @diannewenz on Instagram!
    crackles overhead with cocoa powder and cornflakes

    Other Chocolatey Treats You Might Enjoy Include:

    • Homemade Vegan Fudge
    • Tahini Truffles
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bites
    • Chocolate-Peanut Butter Truffle Mini Tarts
    • Chocolate Almond Date Truffles
    taking a truffle
    « Thanksgiving Harvest Pie from Sweet Vegan Treats by Hannah Kaminsky
    Baked Butternut Squash Steaks »

    About Dianne

    Dianne Wenz is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Vegan Lifestyle Coach, Plant-Based Diet Nutrition Specialist, and Plant-Based Chef, as well as the author of Truly Healthy Vegan Cookbook.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Becky Striepe

      October 24, 2016 at 9:37 am

      Those look so good, and I am in love with this vintage cookbook - what a score! I have a few old 70s cookbooks, and they are so fun to just flip through. The photos and sometimes bizarro flavors in them are a delight!

    2. Dianne

      October 24, 2016 at 5:27 pm

      Thanks, Becky! You'd love this cookbook – the instructions have little (really bad) drawings!

    3. Cadry

      October 24, 2016 at 9:57 pm

      These sound delicious, and I love that you still have your first cookbook. I still have mine too - from my childhood Easy Bake Oven! I've been thinking it would be kind of fun to frame it and hang it in the kitchen.

    4. Ginny McMeans

      October 24, 2016 at 11:26 pm

      That looks like a fun recipe and I love that old cookbook!

    5. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day

      October 24, 2016 at 11:48 pm

      What a great story! I wish I still had my first cookbook. The crackles look delicious!

    6. Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite

      October 25, 2016 at 1:25 am

      OOOH!! Crackles! I haven't seen these in forever. They look so good! I love the crispness of them!

    7. JL Fields

      October 25, 2016 at 8:36 am

      Such a super cute treat, Dianne!

    8. Dianne

      October 25, 2016 at 11:13 am

      Thank you, JL!

    9. Dianne

      October 25, 2016 at 11:13 am

      Thank you, Sophia!

    10. Dianne

      October 25, 2016 at 11:14 am

      Thank you, Amy!

    11. Dianne

      October 25, 2016 at 11:14 am

      Thank you, Ginny!

    12. Dianne

      October 25, 2016 at 11:15 am

      Thank you, Cadry! That would be fun! I didn't have any Easy Bake, but I had a Holly Hobby oven, which was pretty much the same thing. I don't remember a cookbook coming with it, but I'm sure it had one. It would be fun to frame that in your kitchen!

    13. Mel | avirtualvegan.com

      October 25, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      They take me back to my childhood! My mum used to make a similar recipe all the time and my sister and I loved them! Its so awesome that you still have your first cookbook. I can't even remember what mine was!

    14. Jenn

      October 25, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      These remind me so much of my childhood! I wouldn't be able to stop eating them - chocolate crispy addiction!

    15. Dianne

      October 25, 2016 at 4:50 pm

      Aren't they the best?

    16. Dianne

      October 25, 2016 at 4:51 pm

      It's funny – I didn't realize that they were "a thing" here in the U.S., too, until I posted this. I'm glad their deliciousness was able to hop across the pond!

    17. Alisa Fleming

      October 26, 2016 at 12:25 am

      This is such a great party - or anytime - recipe! I would have trouble keeping away from these.

    18. Dianne

      October 26, 2016 at 9:10 am

      Thanks, Alisa! They're very addictive!

    19. Susmitha - Veganosaurus

      October 27, 2016 at 12:15 am

      Those look so yum! What a simple and nice idea. And I enjoyed reading the story behind the recipe book too. 🙂

      Will try them out soon and let you know how they turn out.

    20. Mary Ellen @ VNutrition

      October 27, 2016 at 9:48 am

      Such a great idea to veganize these! What a great idea for parties!

    21. Dianne

      October 27, 2016 at 10:34 am

      Thanks, Susmitha! I hope you enjoy them!

    22. Dianne

      October 27, 2016 at 10:34 am

      Thanks, Mary Ellen!

    23. Sarah

      October 27, 2016 at 12:15 pm

      Love that old cookbook! I have a few older ones that were my moms, and even my first kids' cookbook. So fun to look through! I always laugh at all of the mentions of salad oil 🙂

      These little crackles look like they would be really fun for my kids to make!

    24. Dianne

      October 27, 2016 at 4:46 pm

      This book is English, so it mentions things I don't even understand!
      The crackles are quick and easy to make, so your boys might enjoy making them. I did when I was little!

    25. Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes

      October 28, 2016 at 10:02 am

      Oh my! My boys will absolutely love these! I can't wait to give them a try! Thanks for sharing!

    26. Linda @ Veganosity

      October 28, 2016 at 11:08 am

      I love your story, Dianne. What a lovely memory. The chocolate crackles sound wonderful! I love crunchy food, and chocolate. A total win win. 🙂

    27. Vegan Heaven

      October 28, 2016 at 1:22 pm

      What a great party snack, Dianne. Perfect for Halloween! 🙂

    28. Dianne

      October 28, 2016 at 5:07 pm

      Thank you, Vanessa! I hope your boys enjoy them!

    29. Dianne

      October 28, 2016 at 5:07 pm

      Thank you, Linda!

    30. Dianne

      October 28, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      Thank you, Sina!

    31. The Vegan 8

      October 30, 2016 at 7:37 pm

      Oh, I bet these are so additive! Sweet, crunchy....yup, addictive! Love how easy the recipe is, too! I love the look of that old book as well. Super cool.

    32. Dianne

      October 31, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      Thank you, Brandi!

    33. Jerilyn

      November 02, 2019 at 7:33 pm

      3 stars
      Sadly, these did not stay crunchy for me - the cornflakes became really soggy within an hour, even with being in the fridge. I ate a couple right after I made them and they were super yummy, but they weren’t really edible for the party I made them for. Any ideas to keep them crunchy?

    34. Dianne

      November 05, 2019 at 2:15 pm

      I'm sorry they didn't stay crunchy. I'm not sure what could have caused them to turn soggy.

    35. Namrata

      August 15, 2022 at 2:23 am

      Can I use honey or palm jaggery syrup instead of brown rice syrup?
      As it is more popular in India..

    36. Dianne

      August 15, 2022 at 9:56 am

      Hi, Namrata, I don't know how replacements would work, since I've never tried anything else. In general, it's okay to swap a liquid sweetener for another liquid sweetener, but since I haven't tried it with this recipe, I can't say for sure.

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    Hi! I'm Dianne Wenz, a Board-Certified Health Vegan Health and Lifestyle Coach. I empower my clients to build new habits so they can reach their healthy living goals. I love to show others how easy it is to live a vegan lifestyle as well as how to cook deliciously easy plant-based meals. Contact me today to learn more and to schedule a complimentary breakthrough session!

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