Christmas Wreath Cookies

Be honest: Aren’t Christmas wreath cookies some of the cutest holiday desserts you’ve ever seen? Families have been making these marshmallowy sweets for generations, and it’s not just because they’re charming, chewy and delicious. First, they serve as a quick and easy Christmas cookie recipe for cookie exchanges, school parties or holiday dessert tables. And second, these Christmas treats are a perfectly festive, no-bake holiday dessert to make with kids and teens, creating a tradition that they’ll look forward to every year. As is, the recipe makes eight wreath cookies—but it’s easy to double or triple the recipe if you need a Christmas dessert for a crowd.

Ingredients for Christmas Wreath Cookies

• Marshmallows: A regular-sized bag from most marshmallow brands will provide enough marshmallows for this recipe.
• Butter: A little butter is melted with the marshmallows to create the sticky base for the cookies. Salted or unsalted butter is fine to use.
• Cornflakes: Whether name-brand or store-brand, cornflakes give these marshmallow cookies lots of crunch and flavor.
• Green food coloring: They’re Christmas wreaths, so of course they should be green! Just a little green food coloring liquid or paste is enough to get the right shade.
• Red mini M&M’s: The final touch on the Christmas wreath cookie is a cluster of mini M&M’s to look like holly berries. If the kids are helping you, put them in charge of sorting out the red M&M’s from the rest!

Directions

Step 1: Make the marshmallow sauce

Pour the marshmallows and butter into a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave them uncovered for about 45 seconds or until the butter is melted and the marshmallows are puffed. Tint the mixture with green food coloring.

Editor’s Tip: Start with a few drops of green food coloring, knowing that you can always add more if the color doesn’t look green enough.

Step 2: Add the cereal

Pour the cornflakes into the bowl and stir them into the marshmallow mixture. The cereal should be completely coated.

Editor’s Tip: Spray the waxed paper with nonstick spray for extra confidence that the wreaths won’t stick to the paper.

Step 3: Shape the cookies

Butter your hands and divide the cereal mixture into eight portions. Work quickly to firmly press each portion into a 3-inch wreath. Place the wreaths on the lined baking sheet.

Test Kitchen Tip: If it’s easier, you can also spray your hands with nonstick spray instead of using butter.

Step 4: Add the candies

While the wreaths are still wet, add three red mini M&M’s in a cluster on each one to look like a little bunch of holly berries. Let the wreaths rest until they’re set and easy to move. Then they’re ready to eat!

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Christmas Wreath Cookie Variations

• Use a different cereal: Turn this cornflake recipe into a Rice Krispie recipe by stirring the marshmallow mixture into Rice Krispies. You can also experiment with other cereals like Special K, Frosted Flakes, Kix, Fruity Pebbles or Cheerios. Some cereals may be available in holiday colors, allowing you to skip the food coloring.
• Try other candies: Use mini cinnamon Red Hots instead of M&M’s, or check the baking aisle at grocery and craft stores for red decorating pearls.
• Make garlands and bows: Use thin, red licorice laces to wind around the wreath shape to look like a garland. You can also tie the licorice into a bow and attach it to the wreath with a dab of frosting. Other ways to make bows are to cut them out of red fruit leather or to use red buttercream frosting in a piping bag to create the bow shapes.

How to Store Christmas Wreath Cookies

These marshmallow treat wreaths quickly become dry and hard if they’re left out. To protect them, place the wreaths in a tightly sealed cookie storage container at room temperature as soon as they’re cool. They’ll last for about three days.

Can you freeze Christmas wreath cookies?

Yes! Place the Christmas wreath treats in a resealable freezer-proof bag with waxed paper between layers of cookies. Press all the air out of the bag, seal it, then place the bag inside an airtight container or a second resealable bag. Store the cookies in the freezer for up to one month. Let them thaw while still sealed in the bag in the refrigerator.

Christmas Wreath Cookies Tips

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What can you do if the cornflake mixture is too sticky?

Buttered or greased hands make working with this sticky marshmallow mixture much easier. Keep a little softened butter (or butter wrappers) nearby as you shape the wreaths, so you can easily put more gease on your hands if necessary. Dipping your fingers in a little cold water can also help.

How do you keep Christmas wreath cookies from falling apart?

If the marshmallow cereal mixture isn’t firmly pressed into shape, the wreaths will fall apart when you try to move them. To prevent this, begin by making flat rounds with the cereal mixture, and then squeeze it firmly together. Then, make the hole in the center and gently widen it to make the wreath shape. Keeping your hands and the waxed paper greased make it easy to move the wreaths without the stickiness pulling them apart.