Australian Honey Joys Recipe

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: This Australian Honey Joys Recipe is the quickest, easiest, most clever recipe you’ve never heard of! Cornflakes coated with butter, honey, and sugar are baked, transforming them into an irresistible, crunchy, butterscotchy treat in just 25 minutes.

• For kids of all ages: This is the perfect recipe for little ones to help with. Though an adult has to handle the stovetop and oven duties, kids can measure, mix, and add the sprinkles!
• Honey provides the magic: Honey certainly brings the joy to these treats with its irresistible sticky-sweetness. Because Australia is home to a wide variety of plants with nectar that bees love, the country is known for its many unique types of honey. Honey is also an important part of Indigenous rituals and is often used to symbolize sweetness and good fortune at Australian weddings.

School break is the ideal time to have fun with kids in the kitchen. After your little one has learned how easy, satisfying (and yummy!) Australian Honey Joys are, check out our Kids Printable Recipe Coloring Pages for more options that even the youngest cooks can master. Making cooking a relaxing, creative activity sets kids up for a lifetime of eating well and getting excited about making their own meals.

Table of Contents

• What are Australian Honey Joys?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients and Why
• How to Make Australian Honey Joys
• Can Make Honey Joys in Advance?
• How to Store Leftovers
• FAQs
• Gemma’s Pro Chef  Tips
• More Fun Snack Recipes

What are Australian Honey Joys?

• Australian Honey Joys are cookie-like snacks made from cornflakes mixed with sweetened melted butter and baked until crisp.
• These sweet little morsels, also known as Honey Jumbles or Cornflake Cookies, are similar to Chocolate Crackles, Chocolate Nests, and Rice Krispie Treats with marshmallows—a beloved, easy-to-make goody based on cereal.
• Australian Honey Joys emerged after World War II, when Australian households were mindful of not wasting food and devised recipes that creatively used simple ingredients. Crunchy Honey Joys have become a must-have at kids’ parties and school events.

Tools You Need

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• 12-cup muffin tin
• Paper liners

Key Ingredients and Why

• Cornflakes

  • Cornflakes are the foundation of this treat and provide the crunch. Be sure to use unsweetened flakes.
  • In a pinch, you could substitute another unsweetened flaked cereal for the corn flakes, but note that it won’t have the same flavor as the original Honey Joys.

• Butter

  • Butter gives the Honey Joys richness.
  • You melt the butter in this recipe, so you can use it right out of the fridge.
  • Alternatively, you can substitute two tablespoons of coconut oil for the butter.

• Granulated sugar

  • The clean, simple sweetness of granulated sugar works best here.
  • During baking, the sugar undergoes caramelization, breaking down and reforming into a coating that makes the Honey Joys crunchy and golden brown.
  • Do not reduce the amount of sugar; it is required to make enough glaze that will keep the Honey Joys together.

• Honey

  • Honey provides a deep sweetness with floral and caramel-like notes.
  • Honey’s thick and sticky texture helps bind the cornflakes together to make a cohesive, cookie-like structure.
  • Additionally, honey provides moisture, ensuring the treat doesn’t dry out.
  • Alternatively, substitute the same amount of golden syrup, our Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute, or rice malt syrup for the honey.

• Salt

  • Don’t leave out the small amount of salt in this recipe! It’s necessary to balance out the sugar and honey and give the treat a full, delectable flavor.

• Sprinkles

  • Sprinkles are optional, but I always say go for it!
  • Nonpareil sprinkles work perfectly in this recipe.

How to Make Australian Honey Joys

• Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
• Mix the Honey Joys: 
  • Place cornflakes in a large bowl.
  • In a small saucepan, cook butter, granulated sugar, honey, and salt over medium heat, stirring constantly until vigorously boiling.
  • Pour over the cornflakes and stir well.
• Bake, Cool, and Serve:
  • Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly golden.
  • If using, top with sprinkles while still hot.
  • Let cool to room temperature before eating.

Can Make Honey Joys in Advance?

Yes, you can make Honey Joys in advance.

• Make the mixture and portion into muffin cups.
• Cover and keep at room temperature for up to three hours before baking.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

FAQs

• Can I make Honey Joys vegan?

Yes, you can make Honey Joys vegan.

• • Substitute two tablespoons of coconut oil for the butter.
  • Substitute an equal amount of golden syrup, our Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute, or rice malt syrup for the honey.

• Can I skip paper muffin liners and just grease my muffin tin well?

  • Do NOT skip using paper muffin liners, as Honey Joys are sticky and could still stick to a well-greased tin.

• Are Honey Joys gluten-free?

  • Corn itself is gluten-free, but added ingredients in cornflakes could contain gluten. Be sure to look for brands that are labeled “gluten-free.”

• How do I make sure my Honey Joys have the perfect consistency?

  • It’s important to coat the cereal evenly. Take your time and make sure the glaze mixture covers every flake.
  • If your glaze mixture is too thick to coat the cereal well, heat it gently and add an additional small amount of butter.
  • Cook just until the Honey Joys are slightly golden, as they can quickly overcook.

Gemma’s Pro Chef  Tips

• Be sure to use unsweetened cornflakes in this recipe, or the end result will be too sweet.
• Instead of individual muffin cups, this can be baked in an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan lined with parchment paper. Once cool, cut into squares.
• You can add a drizzle of melted chocolate over the top of these. Let set before serving.
• Sometimes, nuts are added to the mixture. Both peanuts or flaked almonds would be delicious. Add 1 cup to the cornflakes before you stir in the butter and honey mixture.
• This simple and kid-friendly treat is perfect for bake sales and party snacks.
• If you don’t have honey, you can use golden syrup or make our Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute.

More Kid-Friendly Recipes

• Frozen Yogurt Pops
• Frozen Yogurt Bark
• Homemade Granola Bars
• Summer Fruit Spring Rolls

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