There’s nothing quite like the festive charm of these adorable Christmas Wreath Cookies, and I can't wait to share my favorite Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe with you. These sweet little wreaths bring a pop of green and a glow of holiday spirit straight to your kitchen (and your taste buds) in under 20 minutes!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe is one of my holiday staples because it’s so quick, fun, and utterly festive. I remember making these with my kids one chilly afternoon and how their eyes lit up when they saw the little green wreaths come to life — it’s not just a cookie, it’s a holiday memory in the making.
- Super simple and quick: You don’t need fancy tools or tons of time to pull off these charming treats.
- Kid-friendly fun: Shaping and decorating wreaths makes this a perfect activity for little hands (and big hands, too!).
- Festive and colorful: The green marshmallow-glazed cornflakes and bright red candies create that classic Christmas wreath look that everyone loves.
- Customizable decorations: You can swap out the candies to match your style, making it both personal and delicious.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The charm of this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe comes from its simple yet perfectly balanced ingredients. The buttery marshmallow mixture holds everything together while the cornflakes add that delightful crunch. Decorating with small candies finishes these treats with a festive flair you simply can’t beat.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps melt the marshmallows smoothly for that perfect sticky base.
- Large marshmallows: The glue of this cookie, melted marshmallows give a chewy, sweet coating that holds the cereal in wreath shape.
- Green gel or liquid food coloring: This is what makes the wreaths visually festive—go for gel if you want vibrant color without watering down the mixture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle depth of flavor to the sweetness for a rounded taste.
- Cornflakes: Their crunch and light texture give the perfect base, not too heavy but sturdy enough to hold the shape.
- Red hot candies or mini red-coated chocolates: These are your “berries” — they add visual contrast and a bit of festive spice or chocolate flavor, depending on your choice.
- Cooking spray or oil for your fingers: This is a game-changer when shaping the wreath holes—trust me, it saves so much mess and helps create neat wreath rings.
Make It Your Way
While the classic green wreath with red candies is my go-to, I love playing with colors and textures depending on the season or mood. Feel free to experiment with different candies or even add some crushed peppermint for a minty kick.
- Variation: One year, I swapped out the red hot candies for tiny chocolate chips and a sprinkle of powdered sugar — the kids didn’t mind one bit and called them “sweet snow wreaths!”
- Dietary changes: You can swap butter with coconut oil if you want to make these dairy-free. Just be sure to check the marshmallows for gelatin if you need a vegetarian version.
- Color combos: Try adding red or white food coloring in separate batches to create multi-colored wreath packs perfect for gifting.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Melt the magic
Start by placing your butter and marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until everything is smooth and melted together. Don’t rush this step — the marshmallows should be glossy and fully melted without burning. This took me a couple tries to perfect, but that glossy texture is the key to that sticky, moldable wreath base.
Step 2: Add color & flavor
Stir in the green food coloring a few drops at a time, mixing well until you get that vibrant “Christmas wreath” green. Then pour in the vanilla extract for that classic warm flavor. I like gel colors because you get bright green with just a few drops, but liquid works fine too — just adjust the amount so your mixture isn’t too runny.
Step 3: Coat the cornflakes
Pour the cornflakes into your marshmallow mixture and gently fold them together so every flake is evenly coated but not crushed. Be gentle here—you want to keep the crunch.
Step 4: Shape your wreaths
Grease your fingers with a little cooking spray or oil then pack the mixture into a greased ¼ cup measuring cup (this method gives you perfectly sized wreaths every time). Pop the shaped clusters onto a parchment-lined sheet pan. Use your dampened fingers to make a hole in the center to form that classic wreath shape. Here’s a pro tip: keeping your fingers slightly wet or oiled prevents sticking and makes it so much faster.
Step 5: Decorate and cool
Now top your wreaths with red candies—red hots for a bit of spice or mini M&M's for sweetness and color pop. Let the cookies cool completely on the counter until firm, usually about 15 minutes. Once set, they are ready to dive into or package up for gifting!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few gems from making this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe that help these come out perfectly every time.
- Use a silicone or parchment surface: It makes removing the wreaths after setting a breeze without sticking or breaking.
- Damp or greased fingers: This small step saves loads of frustration when shaping the wreath rings—trust me, it’s a game-changer.
- Don’t overheat marshmallows: Melt slowly in microwave or over double boiler so you don’t burn or seize the mixture.
- Pack firmly but gently: When filling the measuring cup, press in just enough to hold the shape but avoid crushing the cereal for that perfect crunchy texture.
How to Serve Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I personally love topping mine with festive red candies like mini M&M’s because they add color and a little sweetness pop. Sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of edible glitter or powdered sugar “snow” for that extra holiday sparkle that everyone admires at parties.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced hot chocolate or peppermint tea to round out your cozy holiday treats. If you want a little savory contrast, think roasted nuts or a sharp cheese plate on the side — it’s surprisingly delightful!
Creative Ways to Present
I like arranging my Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly for that natural wreath vibe. Wrapping them individually in cellophane tied with a little red ribbon also makes for a charming gift that everyone feels special receiving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature — they keep their crunch up to 3 days, which is usually enough time in my house! Just be sure to avoid any humid spots since moisture can soften the crispiness.
Freezing
Freezing is possible but I recommend wrapping the wreaths individually in plastic to prevent them from getting sticky or crushed. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature; they’ll be great for a quick festive treat after a busy week.
Reheating
Since these cookies aren’t baked but set with marshmallows, reheating isn’t usually needed. If you want to refresh their softness slightly, a quick 5-second zap in the microwave can soften them, but don’t overdue or they’ll get too sticky.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can use crispy rice cereal or even Cheerios for a different texture, but keep in mind that cornflakes have a nice crunch and hold their shape well when coated.
The trick is to grease or lightly oil your fingers before punching the hole. This prevents sticking and allows you to shape a neat center hole without breaking the wreath apart. Also, work gently so you don’t crush the cereal.
Yes! You can shape and set the wreaths a day ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Just add the candies right after forming the shape and before cooling for best presentation.
Definitely! This recipe is one of the easiest and safest to make with kids. They can help melt the marshmallows with adult supervision, stir the mixture, shape the wreaths, and decorate them, making it a wonderful family activity.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely believe this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe is one of those simple joys that bring the whole family together while filling your kitchen with the magic of the holidays. Whether you’re baking solo with a cup of cocoa or making memories with the kids, these wreath cookies deliver festive flavor and sweet smiles every time. Give it a try — you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe year after year, just like I do!
Print
Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive and fun Christmas Wreath Cookies made with buttery marshmallows and crispy cornflakes, colored green and decorated with red candies to resemble holiday wreaths. These no-bake treats are quick to prepare, perfect for holiday parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 stick of butter (½ cup)
- 30 large marshmallows
- 6 drops green gel food coloring or 1 and ¼ teaspoons liquid green food coloring
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 cups cornflakes
- 1 bottle of red hot candies or ½ cup red candy coated chocolates such as mini M&M's
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Melt marshmallows and butter: Place the marshmallows and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until the mixture is fully melted and smooth.
- Add color and flavor: Stir in the green food coloring and vanilla extract until the marshmallow mixture becomes uniformly green and glossy.
- Combine with cereal: Add the cornflakes to the bowl and gently fold them in to coat each flake evenly without crushing them.
- Form wreath shapes: Spray a ¼ cup measuring cup with cooking spray, pack the cereal mixture firmly into the cup, then turn it out onto the lined sheet pan. Using damp or cooking spray coated fingers, gently press a hole in the center to create a wreath ring.
- Decorate: Place red hot candies or red candy coated chocolates around the wreath ring to mimic festive holiday decorations.
- Cool and set: Allow the wreath cookies to cool completely at room temperature until firm before serving.
Notes
- Use cooking spray or damp fingers to prevent the mixture from sticking while shaping the wreaths.
- If marshmallows are not melting easily, heat in additional 15 second intervals.
- Substitute cornflakes with Rice Krispies for a different texture.
- Store wreath cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- For a stronger green color, increase food coloring gradually, ensuring not to affect taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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