Let me start right off by saying that no, that is not the official name of these cookies – but it should be. Their official name is Peanut Butter Corn Flake Balls. That’s a decent enough name. It is accurately descriptive. However, it comes nowhere close to describing the flat out, mind-blowing awesomeness of these sticky, gooey, creamy, chewy little blobs of edible bliss! How did they end up being called HolyCrapTheseAreAmazing Cookies, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. It’s because that is pretty much what everyone says the first time they bite into one of these decadent little guys.
The first time I ever ate one was when my daughter was in the second grade. Each year, from the time she was in kindergarten through the fifth grade, I had the dubious distinction of being the Room Mother for her class. A Room Mother is a mom who is in charge of taking care of all of the “extras” for the class that the teacher doesn’t have the time or inclination to do, like collecting for the teacher’s gifts, lining up chaperones for field trips and of course, organizing class parties.
So, I ate a cookie. As my eyes were rolling back into my head, I groaned out loud and spontaneously exclaimed, “Holy Crap! These are amazing cookies!” From then on, they have elicited the same response from everyone I’ve served them to.
The recipe for these cookies so simple that a 4 year-old could make them. Since I don’t happen to have a 4 year-old at my house, I made them myself. (Although, I have been told that I act like a 4 year-old sometimes. I wonder if that counts?) There are only four ingredients – five, if you decorate them with chocolate drizzles, like I did. From start to finish, they take about fifteen minutes to make. 
…
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 jar (18 oz ounce) peanut butter, crunchy or smooth (I like creamy.)
- 6 cups corn flakes
- 3 oz good quality chocolate of your choice (I used Scharffen Berger Semisweet 62%.)
- Combine sugar and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and stir until the mixture comes to a full boil. Remove from heat and stir in the whole jar of peanut butter. Mix well.
- Add corn flakes to a large bowl. Pour peanut butter mixture over corn flakes and mix well, taking care to coat all of the corn flakes.
- With a tablespoon or cookie scoop, scoop out and form into 1-2 inch balls, depending on your preference, and place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper.
- Put the chocolate in a small bowl and melt in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir until smooth.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies.
- When cooled, eat these cookies with reckless abandon. Be careful, though. We wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt!
Filed Under: Cookies and Brownies, Cooking, Desserts, Quick and Easy, Recipes
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On January 06, 2008 at 6:08pm, JEP said...
I’m convinced—I NEED to make these ASAP! Delightful post, too:)
On January 06, 2008 at 7:50pm, Kevin said...
Those look really good! Bookmarked!
On January 06, 2008 at 8:48pm, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Jep & Kevin- Thank you both. I’m glad you like the cookies. They really are THAT good!
On January 06, 2008 at 10:40pm, Cedar said...
Holycrapthoselookamazing! And easy too…I’m adding your site to my reader, so I can save the recipe!
On January 07, 2008 at 12:54pm, Hillary said...
Did you really shout out “Holy crap!” in front of the kids? Haha I probably would have done the same thing – these look TOO good.
On January 07, 2008 at 2:09pm, Susan from Food Blogga said...
You would think I’d be cookied-out by now. But holy crap! Just when I thought I was out these pulled me back in.
On January 07, 2008 at 5:06pm, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Hillary- Unfortunately, I did. My daughter attended a Catholic school at the time. She doesn’t go there anymore!
Susan- You crack me up! There’s always room for more cookies!
On January 07, 2008 at 5:20pm, Make and Takes said...
Ooooooo. I have made these cornflake cookies before, but I love the addition of the drizzled chocolate. I think everything looks and tastes better with some drizzled chocolate!
On January 07, 2008 at 11:49pm, Tartelette said...
HolyCrapWhyAmIReadingThisPastMidnight?
They remind me of a cookie my mom taught me when I was a kid,minus the peanut butter…and I would gobble up a truck load by the minute! Love this version,great job!
On January 08, 2008 at 9:11am, Cookie baker Lynn said...
Those do sound amazing! Anything with peanut butter in it and i”m there. I’m writing this recipe down. Thanks for sharing it.
On January 08, 2008 at 11:57am, Teak said...
Ooh, I bet you could add chocolate chips to these when stirring into the corn flakes–the mini ones would be perfect! I’m making these for my kids for sure.
On January 09, 2008 at 12:10am, Kavi said...
These look really awesome. I’d like to try them but is there a peanut free version. What would be a good replacement?
Great post!
On May 02, 2012 at 5:45pm, Laurie said...
sunbutter!
On May 12, 2012 at 12:22am, wendy hampton said...
What about trying these with almond butter instead of peanut butter. Hmmmm will have to try that.
On January 09, 2008 at 8:15am, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
make and takes- Thanks! I think everything tastes better with chocolate too. Well…maybe not Brussels sprouts.
Tartelette- Thank you. I’m glad you like the cookies. They’re certainly not as pretty as your eclairs, but they taste great.
Lynn- You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Teak- Chocolate chips would be great. Go for it!
Kavi- Can you use other nut butters? If so, I think that almond or cashew butter would be work just as well. If not, go for broke and use melted chocolate (dark or white)instead.
There are also some PB substitutes you could try, like SunButter from SunGold Foods or Soy NutButter from I.M. Healthy foods. I’ll bet you can find others at a health food store. Let me know if you find something.
On January 09, 2008 at 4:04pm, katy said...
those look incredible. they look like the kind of cookies i would be scared to make because i just might eat the whole batch!
On January 09, 2008 at 5:21pm, Cate said...
LOL, with a description like that, how can I not print out the recipe and make it?
On January 09, 2008 at 11:35pm, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Katy- Thanks! That is defintely a risk of having these in the house. I ate waaay too many myself!
Cate- Go for it! But be forewarned. They are addictive!
On January 10, 2008 at 2:00am, Mallow said...
I imagine it would be easy to hurt yourself with those cookies (ie – eat them all without stopping.)
On January 10, 2008 at 1:56pm, Deborah said...
These look so good!! I even have some cornflakes at home left over from another recipe!
On January 10, 2008 at 5:21pm, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Mallow- lol! I have a hard time walking past them without grabbing one.
Deborah- You’re halfway there!
On January 10, 2008 at 8:53pm, Carol Kicinski said...
Holy Crap is right! I’m gluten free so I’m going to have to run out and get some gluten free cornflakes and whip these up. Great post! I’m so glad I stumbled onto you!
On January 12, 2008 at 8:56am, culinography said...
Holy crap! (I can see why the name had to be changed.)
These look INCREDIBLE!
On January 12, 2008 at 10:50am, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Carol- I’m so glad you like the cookies. I had no idea that they made gluten-free corn flakes. Where do you get them? My mom is having gluten issues and I’ll bet she would like to know.
Culinography- Thanks! I’m glad you like them. By the way, I love your name!
On January 14, 2008 at 9:13am, Megan said...
I made them and gave them away for birthday presents. But not before my husband gobbled up 4 of them. Both recipents said they were soo addictive. There a winner here!
On January 14, 2008 at 10:58pm, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Megan- I’m glad you liked them. You have a lot more willpower than I do. I didn’t give any away!
On February 11, 2008 at 10:09am, ooooner said...
wow these look amazing! quick question though… is there a more healthy alternative to corn syrup that would work? i don’t mean artificial sweeteners… i was thinking along the lines of natural/organic, like agave nectar/syrup perhaps? thanks!
On September 03, 2008 at 4:27pm, Lisa magicsprinkles said...
Made these, loved these, posted about these on my blog with trackback to you. You totally rock with these. Thanks a big bunch!
On September 10, 2008 at 5:02pm, HSDesigns said...
HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAA
I just stumbled across your blog to find this AMAZING recipe and I cannot wait to try it. Thanks for sharing – I am a new fan of your blog!
On April 17, 2009 at 7:17am, Anonymous said...
I’ve been wanting to try these for a while but I am studying abroad in France and can’t find any corn syrup. Is there a substitute? Honey or regular syrup maybe?
On April 17, 2009 at 7:49am, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Anonymous- I’ve never made these cookies without corn syrup before, but I think that honey would work fine. You would definitely get a different flavor as honey has a distinctive taste. You could also try golden syrup, which might be easier to find where you are. It’s not as strong as most honeys.
Good luck!
On August 19, 2009 at 9:55am, Carol Cain said...
I have made these for years (without the Choc but will today) They were called Peanut Butter Chews. (in case you want to stay out of trouble
My son sent me your site to remind me to make them.
Thanks
C.J.C.
On September 09, 2009 at 9:39pm, FLV said...
I’m going to make these for my friend’s birthday tomorrow night and was wondering if you need to cool the peanut butter mixture before adding it to the cornflakes or just dump it in right away? What should the texture of the cookie be….chewy or crunchy? Thanks!
On November 15, 2010 at 4:52pm, A said...
I made these today and thought they were good.. but I don’t know if I would make them again though.
On October 10, 2011 at 2:05pm, Whitney said...
I saw the picture of these and thought they’d be Haystacks. Similar, but not the same! My family has been making cookies that *look* like this for years and years. But they’re corn flakes, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips.
On November 23, 2011 at 11:39am, Amanda said...
Should I use light corn syrup or dark?
On November 23, 2011 at 7:27pm, NICHOLE SIECK said...
Can I just say without even trying these you are eliciting that response from me (holy crap these are amazing cookies). I’m sure they won’t be nice to my waistline, but some things are just worth it! Thanks for sharing.
On November 23, 2011 at 8:43pm, Carmy Noodle said...
I’m wondering which type of corn syrup you used? I’ve used golden in place of white before and lets just say…things didnt go so well that day. I’m making these as soon as you tell me which one to use! >:D
On December 06, 2011 at 7:29pm, jo-lyn@jo-lyns cup cakes n' candies said...
hahahahaha love the name of these and your site! these are so easy and they sound delish!
On December 14, 2011 at 3:32pm, Katie K said...
I am trying to make some cookies ahead for Christmas. Do you think these will freeze well?
On December 17, 2011 at 6:52pm, Cathey said...
Thanks to a link on pinterest.com I made these for Thanksgiving and they were a hit. I’m getting ready to make another round to include in my Christmas treat give aways…. thanks for the recipe!
On December 21, 2011 at 6:39pm, katrina said...
My great grandma has been making these for years but with out the chocolate. And she would add nuts to them. But I like them without nuts. My best friend from jr high came over the other day and I hadn’t seen her in awhile and the first think she asked was if I could make her some like my mom used to. Too funny!
On December 21, 2011 at 8:41pm, Tammy said...
I made these cookies in junior highschool during a cooking class. I kept the recipe for years and made them at home all the time. Sometime between highschool and college, I lost the recipe. 20 years later, here it is! Thank you so much for posting. I’ll be making them this weekend. I can’t wait for my own children to finally try these!!
On December 27, 2011 at 5:28pm, Felicia said...
I have made these cookies for years (although without the chocolate…nice touch!) However, my 6 yr is deathly allergic to peanuts (and soy), so for years could not make them, until…..I found Sunbutter (sunflower seed butter) and OH, we were back in business! Best cookies ever!
On December 27, 2011 at 7:14pm, Bill A said...
I made these twice the week before Christmas for two different groups. Both times the 36+ cookies were gone a matter of minutes after the first cookie was eaten! Amazing cookie.
On January 09, 2012 at 7:47pm, Melody said...
You can make these in the microwave- combine sugar and corn syrup together micro for 3 minutes, stir add peanut butter, stir & micro for 2 min. add vanilla, stir, pour over corn flakes ( I use corn chex, my daughter is gluten free) we don’t use chocolate when we make ours, but these are super easy & yummy!
On January 13, 2012 at 10:27pm, Christine said...
This is a take on the Special K cookies I make that are a big hit at school. I use 1 cup sugar, 1 cup Karo, 1/2 cup brown sugar all brought to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter, 1 t vanilla and a dash of salt (if pb is no salt added), add to 5 cups Special K plain cereal, stir like the dickens and plop onto wax paper or aluminum foil to cool. Just make sure to run hot soapy water in the bowl you used for the Karo or else you will have one hell of a time cleaning everything up when you’re finished. They are mmm mmmm good!
On February 03, 2012 at 9:36pm, patty hale said...
Mm,I’m probably the only person in the world who cant make special k bars or whackies
On January 16, 2012 at 12:23pm, Trish E said...
Love these. My family has been using this recipe as long as we can remember, but instead of cookies we call it Peanut Butter Candy. Take your peanut butter/cornflake mixture and press into a buttered 9×13 pan (use buttered hands or a spoon and be careful, it’s very hot!). Top with a small bag chocolate chips and place in oven just long enough to soften the chips. Spread chocolate in an even layer, cool/chill till chocolate is firm and cut into whatever size pieces you fancy.
On January 21, 2012 at 7:36pm, Brenda said...
I make these using Rice Krispies. Taste better to me. Like the idea of chocolate on top.
On January 21, 2012 at 7:55pm, Shana said...
My family has made these for years. Only difference is we make them in bar form. We usually put the cornflake mixture in an 11×13 pan and instead of drizzling chocolate, we mix half a bag of butterscotch chips and half a bag of chocolate chips, melt them together and then coat the top of the pan. And yes they are extremely addictive!
On January 24, 2012 at 3:24am, Ash said...
These taste pretty bad…….
On February 04, 2012 at 6:32pm, Kim W. said...
I found this on Pinterest and it was delicious. I used about 3/4 C. Of light blue agave instead of the cup of corn syrup and it worked really well I thought.
On February 10, 2012 at 4:10pm, Lynette said...
I make these with a Hershey kiss pressed in the center! One of my favorites! So easy!
On February 11, 2012 at 7:42pm, Jo Lee B. said...
These are amazing……my family and friends that tasted them, loved them. Next time, I will make the cookies a little smaller and cover the entire cookie in chocolate. Love them!!!
On February 14, 2012 at 6:28pm, Jen said...
I bet these would be good with pretzels added.
On February 16, 2012 at 10:59pm, ktj said...
I just made these, and I feel like I did something wrong. The Sugar/Corn Syrup/PB mixture was extremely thick and was almost impossible to stir in with the cornflakes. I probably had over a cup of corn flakes that didn’t end up coated, b/c the mixture was thick and hardening…any suggestions? They def are VERY PB’ery and don’t look like the pics…tips?
On March 27, 2012 at 3:14pm, Becky said...
sounds like u cooked to long. i pull off stove just as it starts to boil add peanut butter mix together, pour into 9×13 pan..
On March 29, 2012 at 3:29pm, Doors76 said...
Hi,
This is EXACTLY what happened with me, I didn’t have corn flakes so used a mixture of rice crispies and smashed shredded wheat … but the sugar/corn syrup/pb mixture was very thick and I too ended up with some cereal that didn’t get coated. I stuck it in the microwave for a few minutes to soften the mixture so that I could put these into balls.
Once finished, the end product looked nothing like the pics above and they were quite hard to bit into … have you managed to figure out what went wrong?
On February 17, 2012 at 11:38pm, wintersundays said...
Just made these used light corn syrup cause that’s what I had – also cut the recipe way down to make a little over a dozen cookies. I didn’t have chocolate but drizzled coconut oil on top of the cookies and it was a big hit!! Family loooooves these cookies! I had the same issue with thinking my corn flake to peanut butter mixture was off. I had plenty of cornflakes that didn’t seem to be coated. Total non-issue once the cookies cooled.
On February 23, 2012 at 11:53am, Holly said...
This is the recipe my mom made when I was a kid. I have searched over the years without much success. Thanks to Pinterest, I have finally found it again!!!
On February 28, 2012 at 7:22pm, Bethany said...
We make these all the time, though in a cookie sheet and use Special K flakes instead, then spread chocolate chips over the top ad put in the warm oven for about a minute till they are spreadable with a knife, so yummy! Though I love how yours look like little balls of ice cream, I may try it that way next time! Oh and BTW they taste great straight from the freezer!!
On March 05, 2012 at 9:59pm, Patricia said...
Got the below tip off Taste of Home’s website for those who don’t/won’t/can’t use corn syrup. I haven’t tried it yet, but it sounded like a good idea to at least try. I am definitely going to make these cookies! I have a co-dependency on peanut butter. Thank you for sharing:
“Substitute for Corn Syrup:
For each cup of light corn syrup in a recipe, substitute 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup water. For each cup of dark corn syrup, substitute 1 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup water.”
On March 22, 2012 at 9:02am, Megan @Chaos Served Daily said...
What an fantastic recipe…and I’m so glad I could send them to my husband’s office before I ate them all! I linked to your recipe from my blog…these are too amazing not to share!
http://chaosserveddaily.blogspot.com/2012/03/by-taking-it-easy-i-mean-ive-made-some.html
On March 27, 2012 at 10:51am, Becky said...
I have been making those for years. The best and fastest snack out their. I say less then 15 mins start to finish.
My oldest son calls to ask for recipe, did i mention he’s 36. and make those all by his self LOL. I just pour mine in a 9×13 pan then cut..
On April 04, 2012 at 10:03pm, Foodiewife said...
Holy Crap! I was given a plate of these for Christmas, five years ago. I kept begging for the recipe, and the person wouldn’t give it. You just answered my prayer. I have to make these for my peanut butter loving husband– whom I worship, anyway.
On April 05, 2012 at 4:06pm, Bobbie said...
I just wanted to let you know that I featured these on my blog today. Thanks so much for sharing!
http://iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/2012/04/sweet-tooth-recipes.html
On April 11, 2012 at 2:30pm, Becky said...
Have been doing those for years. Didn’t have corn flakes today, made them with chex mixed cereal. Just as good..
On April 22, 2012 at 8:16pm, Heidi said...
I have made a much easier bar form of these for years. It uses less peanut butter (1 1/2 cups) and 1 tsp. of vanilla. I use Special K instead of cornflakes…much “lighter”. I put them in a 9×13. Melt 1cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup butterscotch chips together and frost, if desired. A bake sale sell out!
On April 26, 2012 at 8:53am, M.J. Vitelli said...
These look amazing and by the comments I think you hit a few tastebuds!!! Have a wonderful day and come visit my blog. There is always something baking and cooking in my kitchen
.
On April 26, 2012 at 6:43pm, Sue said...
We use the same exact ingredients and press them in a 9x 13 pan and drizzle with chocolate and then cut into bars. Our recipe is called “Pay Day Bars” after the candy bar!
On April 29, 2012 at 9:43pm, Kristin said...
I dropped these off at my boyfriends house cause he’s busy studying for finals. He sent me a text that said, “Holy crap these are good!” That totally cracked me up!!
On May 02, 2012 at 5:44pm, Laurie said...
On February 04, 2012 at 6:32pm, Kim W. said…
I found this on Pinterest and it was delicious. I used about 3/4 C. Of light blue agave instead of the cup of corn syrup and it worked really well I thought.
Thank you Kim! I was wondering if that would work. I also like the idea of making them in a pan and melting the chocolate chips on top, i do the same for brownies sometimes, so i must try it!
On May 03, 2012 at 5:24pm, Laura said...
Im not sure I have heard of that chocolate. Do you have another you can suggest. Do I use a milk chocolate or a semi sweet?
On May 07, 2012 at 2:49pm, wendy cloud said...
I have made these but with rice krispies. and in a 9x 13 witch is easier then making the cookies, also topped it with butterschoch and chocolate chips, melted. still a good snack
On May 10, 2012 at 11:10am, Jan Christian said...
I have made cornflake candy a thousand times for my kids and hubby over the years. I think they are their favorite and soooooo easy to make. But I’ve never drizzled chocolate on them. They looks wonderful. Gotta try it!
On May 10, 2012 at 11:03pm, Michelle Lee said...
Holycraptheseareamazing Cookies!!! You weren’t kidding! My kids. husband, sister, nieces and Brother in law LOVED them! I had to share them with all of these people so that I wouldn’t eat them ALL! Yum! Thanks SO much!
On May 11, 2012 at 10:38pm, Meghan said...
I made these when I was in Jr High and switched out the corn flakes with Golden Graham’s. Yummo