Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
If you’re craving a charming and delightful holiday treat, the Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need to brighten up your festive season. These no-bake cookies combine crunchy cornflakes with gooey marshmallows, all tinted a joyful green and decorated to look like little wreaths, perfect for sharing at any holiday gathering or gifting to loved ones. They’re quick, simple, and irresistibly fun to make, embodying that warm, nostalgic spirit that makes Christmas so special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple, everyday ingredients is all it takes to create a batch of Christmas Wreath Cookies. Each element plays a key role, ensuring perfect texture, taste, and festive color in every bite.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup): Adds richness and helps melt the marshmallows evenly for a smooth mixture.
- Large marshmallows (30): The gooey binder that holds the cookies together and provides chewy sweetness.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances the flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
- Green food coloring: Brings that iconic Christmas wreath hue, making the cookies festive and fun.
- Cornflakes cereal (4 cups): Delivers the perfect crispy crunch for texture and contrast.
- Red cinnamon candies or mini red M&M’s: These make charming “holly berries” decorations that add a pop of color and a touch of spice or chocolate.
- Nonstick spray or butter: Keeps your hands from sticking while shaping the wreath cookies by hand.
How to Make Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
Start by gently melting the butter over low heat in a large saucepan. Once melted, toss in the marshmallows and stir continuously until they become completely smooth and luscious. This sticky base will form the foundation for our delicious wreaths.
Step 2: Add Vanilla and Green Food Coloring
Remove the pan from heat before stirring in vanilla extract and a few drops of green food coloring. Keep adding food coloring until you achieve that vibrant Christmas-wreath green, which will make your cookies instantly festive and eye-catching.
Step 3: Fold in Cornflakes
Carefully fold the cornflakes into the marshmallow mixture, ensuring every flake is well coated. This step is crucial because it gives your wreaths that irresistible crunch balanced with gooey sweetness. Be gentle to avoid breaking the flakes too much.
Step 4: Shape the Wreaths
Lightly grease your hands with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking. Then, scoop about 1/4 cup of the green mixture and shape it into a wreath form on parchment paper. Use your fingers to gently create a hole in the center, mimicking a real Christmas wreath’s shape.
Step 5: Decorate with Red Candies
While the cookies are still sticky, press three red cinnamon candies or mini red M&M’s onto each wreath to resemble bright holly berries. Repeat this process with the remaining mixture to make a full batch of festive treats.
Step 6: Set and Cool
Allow your Christmas wreath cookies to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This cool-down helps them firm up so they hold their shape—perfect for enjoying or gifting with pride.
How to Serve Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Cinnamon candies make for adorable, edible decorations, but you can get creative here! Consider adding tiny red icing bows, edible glitter, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar to mimic a snowy effect and elevate your wreath cookies from cute to stunning.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with holiday beverages like hot cocoa, mulled cider, or spiced tea. Their sweet crunch complements warm drinks beautifully and makes for a cozy, heartwarming treat combo during chilly winter days.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe on a festive platter framed with pine branches or holly leaves for a natural touch. Wrapping them in cellophane with a red ribbon or placing them in small holiday gift boxes makes them perfect for giving to friends, neighbors, or co-workers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once set, store your Christmas wreath cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh. They’ll stay perfect for up to three days, so you can enjoy them long after the baking—or rather, no-baking—is done.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze the shaped wreaths before adding candies. Wrap them tightly and freeze for up to two weeks. When you’re ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and then decorate for a fresh, festive look.
Reheating
Because these are no-bake, reheating isn’t necessary. If your cookies get a bit hard, a few seconds in the microwave can soften them slightly. Just be careful not to melt the candy decorations!
FAQs
Can I use another cereal instead of cornflakes?
Absolutely! Rice Krispies or any other flake-like cereal works well, though cornflakes provide the ideal crunch and texture that pairs beautifully with the marshmallows.
What if I don’t have green food coloring?
No worries—without food coloring, the cookies will have a lovely natural marshmallow look but won’t be the traditional wreath green. Alternatively, you could try using spinach powder for a natural green tint.
Can I use a different type of candy for decoration?
Definitely! Mini chocolate chips, red jelly beans, or even small bits of dried cranberries can add festive “berry” flair if you prefer different flavors or textures.
How do I keep the wreaths from sticking to the parchment paper?
Make sure your parchment paper is clean and dry. The marshmallow mixture is sticky but should release easily once set. If sticking is a problem, lightly grease the parchment or dust it with powdered sugar before shaping.
Are these cookies suitable for kids to make?
Yes, this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe is perfect for kids! Just be sure to supervise the melting step on the stove, and let them have fun shaping and decorating the wreaths for some creative holiday fun.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe enough for anyone looking to add a bit of sweet, festive magic to their holiday table. They’re quick to whip up, require simple ingredients, and bring so much joy with each bite and every bright, cheerful wreath you create. Give it a try and watch these colorful, crunchy treats become a heartwarming holiday tradition in your kitchen.
Print
Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Wreath Cookies are a festive no-bake treat made with melted marshmallows, buttery cornflakes, and decorated with red cinnamon candies to resemble holly berries. Perfect for holiday celebrations, they are quick to prepare on the stovetop and shaped by hand into charming wreaths that bring holiday cheer in every bite.
Ingredients
Base
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 30 large marshmallows
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- green food coloring, several drops
Mix-In
- 4 cups cornflakes cereal
Decoration
- red cinnamon candies or mini red M&M’s for decoration
- nonstick spray or butter for hands
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the large marshmallows and stir continuously until they are completely melted and the mixture is smooth, ensuring it does not burn.
- Add Flavor and Color: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract along with several drops of green food coloring until the mixture achieves a vibrant green hue, perfect for festive wreaths.
- Mix Cornflakes: Gently fold in the cornflakes cereal, taking care to coat each piece evenly with the marshmallow mixture for consistent flavor and texture throughout.
- Cool the Mixture: Let the coated cornflakes mixture cool slightly so it becomes easier and safer to handle without losing stickiness, essential for shaping.
- Shape the Wreaths: Grease your hands with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking. Scoop about 1/4 cup of the mixture and shape it into a wreath directly on parchment paper. Use your fingers to gently form a hole in the center to create the wreath shape.
- Decorate: While the wreaths are still sticky, press three red cinnamon candies or mini red M&M’s onto each one to mimic holly berries, adding a festive touch.
- Set the Cookies: Repeat the shaping and decorating process with the remaining mixture. Allow the cookies to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes until firm enough to handle and serve or store.
Notes
- If the mixture becomes too firm to shape, gently warm it again on the stove to soften without overheating.
- For added festivity, pipe a red icing bow onto each wreath after they have set.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
