Delightful Cornflake Crunch Cake Ultimate

This vanilla cake with crunchy cornflake top layers fluffy, sweet cake with a caramelized crispy coating. The mix of soft and crunchy textures makes this treat stand out from your typical cakes - it's a taste adventure your whole family will enjoy.

I whipped this up for a block party when I needed something fast but impressive. When my empty dish came back home, I knew I'd struck gold - now this treat shows up in my kitchen at least twice every month.

What You'll Need

• All purpose flour: gives your cake just the right texture and body
• Granulated sugar: adds sweetness that doesn't take over the flavor
• Unsalted butter: brings a wonderful richness and soft texture
• Milk: keeps everything moist and soft throughout
• Large eggs: hold everything together while adding structure
• Baking powder: makes sure your cake gets nice and fluffy
• Salt: brings out all the tastes and cuts the sweetness
• Vanilla extract: adds cozy flavor to the base
• Cornflakes: deliver that famous crunch - grab whole ones, not the crushed stuff
• Brown sugar: turns golden and sticky around the cornflakes while baking
• Cinnamon: you can skip it, but it adds a lovely warm kick that goes great with cornflakes

How To Make It

Get Your Oven Ready:

Turn your oven to 350°F and butter your pan completely. Don't forget the corners. I always put parchment on the bottom too - it makes getting the cake out way easier later.

Mix Your Dry Stuff:

Stir the flour, baking powder and salt together really well. This spreads out the rising agents so your cake puffs up evenly. Take about half a minute doing this for best results.

Beat Butter and Sugar:

Mix soft butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes until it looks lighter and fluffier. This puts air in your batter and will make your cake super soft.

Add Eggs and Vanilla:

Put in one egg at a time, mixing about 30 seconds after each one. This slow approach keeps your batter smooth. After all eggs are in, add the vanilla and mix until everything looks shiny.

Put Wet and Dry Together:

Add your flour mix in three batches, switching with two pours of milk. Start and finish with flour. Mix just until each part disappears - about 15 seconds each time. Too much mixing now will make your cake tough.

Fix the Topping:

Lightly mix cornflakes with brown sugar and cinnamon using a gentle lifting motion to keep flakes whole. The sugar will turn all golden and sticky while baking, making an amazing crunchy sweet top.

Put It All Together:

Pour your batter in the pan and smooth it flat. Sprinkle cornflake mix all over, then press down just a bit so it sticks. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean when you poke the middle.

Pin

That cornflake topping really makes this cake special to me. It always brings back memories of my grandma's cereal treats from my childhood. She'd let me squish the cornflakes in my hands before mixing them with the sugar.

Prep Ahead Tips

This cake actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours as flavors blend together. If you're making it early, just cover it and leave it on your counter for up to three days. The top won't stay quite as crunchy over time, but the flavor gets even better as the cornflakes soak up some moisture from the cake. If you want to keep it longer, wrap single slices tightly and freeze them for up to two months. Let them sit out for about an hour before eating.

Pin

Tasty Twists

You can easily change up this basic recipe. Try adding some lemon zest to the mix for a fresh citrus kick, or toss in half a cup of blueberries before baking. Want something sweeter? Drizzle cooled cake with a simple mix of powdered sugar and milk. You can even swap out cornflakes for Rice Krispies or crushed Frosted Flakes to get different crunch and sweetness levels.

Ways To Enjoy It

Try it slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a yummy dessert. For breakfast or brunch, add some fresh berries and whipped cream on the side. This cake also goes great with your afternoon coffee or tea. When you've got company coming, dust the top with a bit of powdered sugar right before serving - it looks fancy and shows off the cool texture of the cornflake topping.

FAQs About the Recipe

→ Can I use margarine instead of butter?

You can swap in margarine but the cake won't taste as rich as it would with real butter.

→ What type of flour should I use?

Grab some all-purpose flour for this cake as it gives you the perfect cake texture.

→ Can I make the topping ahead of time?

You can mix up the cornflake topping a day early and keep it in a sealed container until you need it.

→ How can I prevent the topping from burning?

Gently push the topping onto the cake batter and watch the cake carefully during the final baking minutes.

→ Can I add other spices to the topping?

Try adding a dash of nutmeg or ginger to give your topping more warmth and flavor alongside the cornflakes.