Chocolate cornflake cakes for cooking with kids

Cupcake cases - you can buy these in bulk - see more details here at Amazon .

Bun tin - this one has holes to bake 12 muffins or cupcakes - see more details here at Amazon .

Large mixing bowl - this one by Wilko has high sides and a non-slip base and costs next to nothing - see more details here at Wilko.

Get the kids to help out by weighing and measuring the ingredients, breaking the chocolate into squares before melting, and spooning out the mixture once it's cooled enough. You can also let their imaginations run wild by trying some of the variations below. Any kind of sweets, chocolates or fruits are fair game for this versatile treat!

Remember though, cooking with kids can get messy! Make sure everyone's wearing old clothes, and keep a careful eye on little ones while you're dealing with the hot, melted chocolate.

How long do cornflake cakes take to set?

The finished cornflake cakes will take at least half an hour to set in the fridge. If you can't wait that long, you can always eat one or two while they're still melty - we promise we won't tell!

How to store your chocolate cornflake cakes

Once they're cooled, they'll keep in an airtight container for 2-3 days - if you can resist eating them for that long! These treats are perfect for bake sales and gifts; just add a pretty ribbon and you're good to go.

Top tips for melting the chocolate

The best way to melt the chocolate it is by using a small saucepan, and a glass bowl that fits into the top of the saucepan, without touching the bottom. Heat a little water in the bottom of the saucepan until simmering, and pop the bowl on top, making sure that the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Then just pop the chocolate in the bowl and keep stirring until it's all melted.

If you're in a hurry though, you can do it in the microwave. Just pop the chocolate in a microwave-friendly bowl, heat for 20 seconds and stir. If there are still lumps, heat for a further 20 seconds and stir again - repeat until all lumps are gone.

For plain cornflake cakes, use a mixture of butter and golden syrup to hold the cakes together, as in our Rice Krispie treats recipe.

Try making some with milk chocolate, some with dark chocolate and some with white chocolate - which is your favourite?

You can mix up the cereal, too; cornflakes and Rice Krispies make classic treats, but try this recipe with whatever you have in the cupboard; you might be surprised by the results!

Add mini marshmallows for an extra sticky, chewy treat.

Get a few extra vitamins into your child by adding dried fruits such as raisins, dried apricots or freeze-dried strawberries.

As the treats are cooling, mould them into any shape you like - perfect for fancy Halloween and festive bakes.

Chocolate cornflake cakes make ideal Easter nests - just top with a couple of mini eggs.

Why not make a giant cornflake cake ring and use instead of meringue for a decadent chocolatey pavlova-type dessert recipe?