Seven cereally good crackle recipes to conjure up school fete nostalgia

From the crunchy cornflake nostalgia of a honey joy to its close cousin, the chocolate crackle, we're embracing some new twists on old favourites.

Double-decker chocolate crackle slice.

--- The Cook Up with Adam Liaw airs weeknights on SBS Food at 7.00pm, or stream it free on SBS On Demand. Catch Adam Liaw making his honey crackle cake in the 'sweet memories' episode, streaming now at SBS On Demand  ---

The honey crackle, also known as a honey joy, is an Aussie classic: Cornflakes, honey, sugar and butter, cooked up in a saucepan, and then spooned into paper cases. It was a faithful attendee at fetes and cake stalls for years, and it's still going strong. Its cousin, the good old chocolate crackle, did a similarly simple but much-loved job of fancying up Rice Bubbles.

Now we're embracing twists such as Adam Liaw's honey crackle cake, which he shared in The Cook Up, and several brilliant takes on the choc crackle that meld the classic with flavours from around the world, including a double-decker crackle slice.

Here's how to crack(le) on:

Donna Hay's chocolate crackles

An old-school favourite that never dates. While the original was often made with copha, Hay's version uses butter, along with puffed brown rice, honey, cocoa and dessicated coconut.

Chocolate crackles Source: Donna Hay

Double-decker chocolate crackle slice

Putting a shape-shifting twist on the childhood favourite, this double-decker crackle slice from Justine Schofield is crunchy, chocolate-y and double the fun.

Double-decker chocolate crackle slice.

Cardamom, pistachio and rose chocolate crackles

Made with rice, maple syrup, cacao, coconut oil, pistachio nuts and ground cardamom, and decorated with rose petals, these are a striking update on the original.

Cardamom, pistachio and rose chocolate crackles Source: Emma Galloway

Honey crackle cake

Here it's crackle on top, with a buttery cornflake and honey layer adorning a simple butter cake in Adam Liaw's recipe. Perfect served with whipped cream.

Honey crackle cake Source: Adam Liaw

Stream free On Demand

Sweet Memories

episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 

Cooking • 

25m

G

episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 

Cooking • 

25m

G

White chocolate baklawa crackles

Lovers of white chocolate, these are for you. Another brilliant update for on the crackle, these bring Middle Eastern and Australian flavours together in a fancy crackle topped with a quick take on baklawa.

White chocolate baklava crackles Source: LinaJebeil

Marshmallow chocolate crackle

In this recipe from Chocolate Queen host Kirsten Tibballs, melted marshmallows are what brings together the puffed rice, coconut, glace cherries, choc chips and peanuts. It's a crackle, made square!

Marshmallow chocolate crackle Source: The Chocolate Queen

Stream free On Demand

Baked Chocolate and Coffee Fudge Tart

episode • The Chocolate Queen • 

Cooking • 

22m

G

episode • The Chocolate Queen • 

Cooking • 

22m

G

Pistachio and date crackles

Sticking with the square crackles, this time it's Adrian Richardson who's created his own take. Here, the makeover adds a splash of rum, grated orange rind and a touch of smoked paprika.

Pistachio and date crackles Source: Richo's Bar Snacks

AND A POPCORN BONUS!

Chocolate and sour cherry crunch

Instead of flakes or bubbles, this one steps from the cereal aisle into the world of popcorn. Sour cherries help create a grown up take on the chocolate crackle, with the tart dried cherries playing a perfect counter-part role to the bittersweetness of cocoa alongside lightly toasted coconut.

Source: Amanda McLauchlan