Get ready to fall in love with a timeless holiday favorite: Christmas Wreath Cookies! These cheerful green treats, dotted with festive red berries, are as fun to make as they are to eat. Sweet, marshmallowy, and vegetal-green with those classic cornflake crunches, Christmas Wreath Cookies bring all the nostalgia and joy of cookie baking with zero oven time. Whether you make them for a cookie swap, a holiday party, or a special treat for Santa, these no-bake cookies are guaranteed to dazzle your dessert table and bring everyone a little extra holiday magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples, you can create Christmas Wreath Cookies bursting with bold color and sweet, buttery flavor. Each ingredient has a starring role, from the smooth marshmallow base to the cheery cinnamon candies that make every wreath pop with color.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup): The key to richness, butter gives the cookies their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavor.
- Large Marshmallows (30): Marshmallows act as the glue, melting into a dreamy sweet base that holds everything together.
- Pure Vanilla Extract (1/2 teaspoon): A dash of vanilla rounds out the sweetness with a warm, comforting note.
- Green Food Coloring: Just a few drops transform the cookies into a bright, holiday green—adjust the amount for your ideal shade!
- Cornflakes Cereal (4 cups): These give the cookies their classic crunch and leafy, wreath-like texture.
- Red Cinnamon Candies or Red Mini M&Ms: The finishing touch, these vibrant “berries” bring a festive look and a hint of playful flavor.
How to Make Christmas Wreath Cookies
Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
Begin with a large saucepan set over low heat. Slowly melt the butter, letting its aroma hint at all the goodness to come. Once melted, add the marshmallows. Stir constantly, watching the transformation as they melt down to a thick, glossy mixture—it’s a bit mesmerizing! This step ensures your cookies will have that signature chewy texture.
Step 2: Add Vanilla and Color
Once the marshmallows are smooth and silky, remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in pure vanilla extract for rich undertones, then add green food coloring little by little. Mix until you reach that perfect, holly-rich green you envision for your Christmas Wreath Cookies—don’t be shy, the brighter, the better!
Step 3: Fold in the Cornflakes
Now, gently fold the cornflakes into the warm marshmallow. It’s important to do this carefully, so you keep those flakes as whole as possible. Each flake will help mimic the leafy look of wreaths, and the light, crispy crunch is part of the cookie’s holiday charm.
Step 4: Shape the Wreaths
Time for messy, jolly fun! Working quickly while the mixture is pliable, use a spoon to drop heaps onto parchment paper. Lightly grease your fingers with butter or cooking spray—trust me, this is a sticky adventure—and press each mound into a circle, creating that classic wreath shape with a nice gap in the center.
Step 5: Decorate and Set
Before the cookies set up, press red cinnamon candies or red mini M&Ms onto each wreath. These little gems become the “holly berries,” instantly making each one look delightfully festive. Let the Christmas Wreath Cookies cool at room temperature until firm and ready for the spotlight!
How to Serve Christmas Wreath Cookies
Garnishes
For a picture-perfect finish, top each wreath with a few extra red candies after they’ve set. You can lightly dust the cookies with powdered sugar “snow” if you want more holiday sparkle, or add a tiny decorative ribbon for that homemade touch.
Side Dishes
Pair your Christmas Wreath Cookies with mugs of hot cocoa, mulled cider, or even a frosty glass of milk. For a show-stopping cookie platter, surround them with chocolate crinkle cookies, classic sugar cookies, or gingerbread men—your cookie table will practically sing carols on its own!
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies in a single, stunning “wreath” on a platter, or stack them in a decorative tin lined with tissue paper for gifting. Tie a ribbon around each cookie stack for a party favor, or nestle each cookie in a festive cupcake liner—they’ll look like they came straight from Santa’s workshop!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Christmas Wreath Cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and they’ll remain soft and fresh—ready for any spontaneous holiday snack attacks!
Freezing
If you want to get a jump on holiday prep, freeze the cookies in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep their shape and flavor for up to a month. Just thaw at room temperature, and they’ll be as merry and crunchy as ever.
Reheating
No need to reheat Christmas Wreath Cookies—they’re best enjoyed at room temperature. If you prefer them a bit softer after freezing, let them sit out for a few minutes, and the marshmallow base will be pleasantly chewy again.
FAQs
Can I use mini marshmallows instead of large?
Absolutely! About 3 cups of mini marshmallows will melt down just as well and make measuring a breeze.
What type Dessert
Gel food coloring delivers a vibrant, even hue without watering down the mixture, but liquid coloring works fine too—just add it gradually for the best color payoff.
How do I prevent the mixture from sticking to my hands?
Lightly greasing your hands with butter or nonstick spray will keep the sticky marshmallow mixture from clinging as you shape each wreath.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Definitely! Just substitute your favorite gluten-free cornflake cereal to keep your Christmas Wreath Cookies suitable for all your guests.
Do the cookies have to be refrigerated?
No refrigerator needed. These cookies set beautifully at room temperature, making them perfect for gifting, potlucks, or festive displays.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—irresistible Christmas Wreath Cookies that promise to add a little holiday magic to your kitchen. If you want a recipe that’s big on festive flair but low on fuss, these cheerful treats will instantly win your heart. Whip up a batch, share them with loved ones, and let the holiday memories begin!
Print
Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Wreath Cookies are a festive and easy treat to make during the holiday season. With a base of marshmallows and cornflakes, these no-bake cookies are fun to shape into wreaths and decorate with colorful candies.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 30 large marshmallows
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- 4 cups cornflakes cereal
- Red cinnamon candies or red mini M&M’s for decoration
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and enough green food coloring to reach your desired shade. Gently fold in the cornflakes until fully coated.
- Working quickly, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment paper and use lightly buttered fingers to form each into a wreath shape with a hole in the center. Press a few red cinnamon candies or red mini M&M’s onto each wreath for holly berries.
- Let the cookies cool and set completely before serving.
Notes
- Lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking while shaping the wreaths.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
