Grandma’s No Bake Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies

I grew up eating these Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies (my Grandma called them Tidbits). They are simple to make and delicious.
(Originally published 6/19/2020 and updated for content 12/4/25)

If you like this recipe, check out my Santa Sugar Cookies next!

I’ve always called these treats tidbits. It’s what my Grandma called them. She made them every year for the holiday season. They actually have more butterscotch than peanut butter in them. It’s a tasty combination. Just five ingredients and they are so quick and simple to make. They freeze well too, making them a great choice for gifting any time of year.

Ingredients for peanut butter cornflake cookies

Some recipes for these cookies call for corn syrup. I use my Grandma’s handwritten recipe which does not use corn syrup. These easy peanut butter cornflake cookies use just five simple ingredients –

• Butterscotch Chips – Use the best quality you can find.
• Peanut Butter – Use regular creamy peanut butter. Not a natural peanut butter that separates.
• Butter – I prefer salted butter to give these a little extra contrast of flavors. Sweet and salty combinations are always my favorite.
• Corn Flakes – I used Kellogg’s cornflakes cereal for testing this recipe.
• Salt – Helps to balance the sweet flavors.

Instructions for easy cornflake cookies

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt together the butterscotch chips with the butter. Microwave in one minute intervals, stirring after each pause, so as not to scorch the mixture.

Once melted together, stir in the peanut butter and salt and mix until smooth. In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter mixture with the cornflakes and gently stir until the cornflakes are coated. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet lined with something non-stick. Use parchment paper, wax paper or a silicone baking sheet.

Allow the cookies to harden. I like to refrigerate or freeze to speed up the process. Keep scrolling to the bottom of this post for my free, printable recipe card.

Serving suggestions

These are perfect for a cookie exchange. Or for gifting. Here’s some more of my favorite holiday cookie and sweet treat recipes –

• White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
• Mom’s Microwave Fudge
• Christmas Tree Cupcake Toppers
• Cherry Blossom Cookies
• Praline Grahams

Storage directions

Cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. For freezing, layer the cookies between sheets of wax paper before storing them in an freezer-safe container. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to one month. Be sure to thaw them before eating though. Trying to bite into one of these frozen is difficult. Believe me, I’ve tried.

Kitchen tools

• Use a cookie scoop similar to this one for shaping the cookies.
• Allow them to firm up on a sheet pan lined with wax paper.
• This is a great air-tight container for storing.

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More of my best cookie recipes

• Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chip Cookies
• Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies
• Pistachio and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

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