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Chocolate and peanut butter are mixed with crunchy cereal to make these super easy No Bake Chocolate Crunch Bars.
When I was very young, I went camping with the Girl Scouts and our counselor taught us to make what she called “Babe Ruth Bars.” (More on that name in a minute.)
These are so easy to make. Our counselor helped me make these bars by stirring the ingredients together over the campfire, rolling them into a log, chilling and slicing them.
I wasn’t a girl scout for very long so I couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8 years old. We ate these gathered around the fire and I absolutely loved them.
My counselor wrote out the recipe for me and I took it home.
Chocolate Cereal Bars
My grandmother was sweet enough to save that recipe for me and over the following years, we would make those bars on special occasions. I remembered the recipe a while back and I dug it out of my old cookbook.
I read it several times and then made a trip to the store, just to look at the ingredients in an actual Babe Ruth bar. Uhm, there is no similarity at all.
I have no idea why these were called Babe Ruth Bars and the name now makes me laugh.
I’ve since swapped out half the ingredients, so they are likely to be even farther from the original. Corn flakes, chocolate chips, honey, and peanut butter get melted together and then chilled to create a perfect no-bake dessert bar.
Whatever you decide to call them–I typically go with Chocolate Cereal Bars or Chocolate Crunch Bars–these treats are sure to be loved!
Chocolate Crunch Bars
I made a batch of these Chocolate Crunch Bars and left them for my family the last time I was headed out of town. When I got back home, my three-year-old proudly informed me that he “ate ALL the candy bars.”
Apparently, he thought he was really getting away with something. The whole family really enjoyed these and they have already been requested again.
Homemade Chocolate Candy
These no-bake cereal bars are somewhere between a cookie and a candy bar. They’re as easy (or even easier) to make as a batch of cookies but are guaranteed to satisfy any chocolate candy bar cravings.
If you like these no-bake treats, you should also give Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars a try. You might also enjoy this Buckeye Fudge recipe.
I love how easy it is to make these homemade chocolate candy treats. Homemade fudge recipes are a go-to treat throughout the holiday season. Between the kids, husband and I, we can gobble up a whole batch quite quickly.
No-bake crunch bars also make a fantastic treat to share with friends at any party or gathering.
No Bake Desserts
No bake cookies, bars and other desserts are some of my very favorite sweet treats to make. I love that I don’t have to worry about firing up the oven (especially in the heat of the summer).
As a huge bonus, they usually come together with almost no effort at all.
Want more no bake dessert ideas? I’ve got you covered.
These Monster Cookie Dough Bites are a must-try. If, like me, you have a weakness for cookie dough, these naturally gluten free cookie bites are for you.
I’m not a fan of the way raw oats tend to dominate the texture and flavor of many no bake dessert and cookie recipes. However, in these No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Bites there’s just the right amount of oatmeal, plus crunchy almonds and honey, to make them irresistible
For those who love oatmeal in their no bakes, these No Bake Oatmeal Cookies are another fabulous dessert that won’t have you heating up the kitchen.
Gluten-Free Dessert
Lucky for those who are avoiding gluten, this recipe for Chocolate Crunch Bars is naturally gluten-free. Bringing these to a potluck or party ensures that even those who need to steer clear of wheat can enjoy a sweet treat.
If you use dairy-free chocolate chips, these bars are also a dairy-free dessert. Substitute almond butter for the peanut butter if you’re cooking for someone with a peanut allergy!
No Bake Chocolate Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup honey
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups corn flakes
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, honey and peanut butter in a large glass bowl and microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring after every thirty seconds until it is smooth and liquefied.
- Add the chocolate and stir again until melted. (If the chocolate doesn't melt into the liquid completely, just warm it another 30 seconds and stir again.) Add the cereal and stir to coat completely.
- Transfer to a well-greased or parchment lined 6" square or 8" x 3" bread pan. (This is a small batch, so you really do need a small pan.) Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 2-3 hours. Slice into bars or cubes and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 11/14/13 – photos and recipe notes updated 7/14/22}
Another great no-bake recipe, Mary!! I actually have some corn flakes left from another recipe… I think I will be making these this weekend!!
can I use kayro syurp instead of honey??
Sure, the original recipe was made with Karo.
My kids would love these Mary!
No cornflakes in the house today. I have raisin bran and rice krispies. Would either of them work?
Rice krispies should work great. 🙂
Ooooo…I think I would prefer rice krispies…chocolate rice krispie treats!
I have Frosted Flakes…Would they work and cut down on the sugar???
I can't think of any reason they wouldn't work. I'd reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup. Let me know how it turns out!
Thanks…Was wondering about using Splenda, also….I passed on the Pineapple sheet cake, that sounded/looked luscious but it called for 2 CUPS of sugar….
I have made many of Mary' recipes w/not only Splenda but Splenda Brown Sugar. Everything has come out delicious. My hubby cannot tell the difference.
can i make these with raisin bran
I'm not sure how the raisins will work, but it's worth a shot. Let me know what you think if you try it!
Can I sub Splenda for sugar.
I don't cook with Splenda, so I have no idea how that would work. If you decide to try it, let me know how it turns out!
I tried cooking with a sugar substitute and it didn't melt well. They were very "gritty" so I wouldn't recommend it personally 🙁
I think my grandson (hmmm, and also my daughter) would love these. BUT…..I don't have a microwave (long story). How else could I effectively melt the ingredients? Hope there's a way!!
Make a double boiler by placing a bowl over a pan of simmering water..
corn flakes? Who knew 🙂 These look like fudge and sound wonderful. Love the use of honey instead. I'm going to experiment with brown rice syrup soon – have you had any luck with it?
Brown Rice Syrup would work perfectly in these. Thanks for the reminder, I need to pick some more up soon for marshmallow making!!
Hi Mary, my daughter would LOVE these. How nice that these are gluten free. I didn't realize that Cornflakes are…I never looked at the box.
I made these. They disappeared before I got to taste.
I used Rice Chex because it is what I had. The boys are excited to try them. I think next time I'll cut down on the sugar a bit.
Made these last weekend and am again today!! Yummo!!
Hi, just wanted to let you know that I made the above bars and they are delicious! My daughters' boyfriend is at university and these are a treat for him. But myself and my daughter had to try them lol! Love all your recipes from the USA. Keep doing what you're doing, a great job! Rachel xx
I made these again last night for the kids snack in their lunch boxes. They love them!
These are the best thing I've tried yet
What a great idea! I've got to try these out with Special K, my fiancé's favorite cereal. I'm sure he'll love them!
I made these on Monday, a double batch. All gone:)
great sweetness for a hot summer day! I made it with sunflower butter, almonds, currents and cayenne! Delish!
do you add the cornflakes after the chocolate?
Yes, the cereal is the last ingredient added. Enjoy!