Christmas Wreath Cookies
These fun Christmas wreath cookies are an easy, no bake, cornflake cookies made into cornflake wreaths. They are a great holiday cookie recipe to make with the kids!
These easy no bake Christmas wreath cookies are a family tradition. I remember making them when I was a kid, mostly stealing the red hot cinnamon candies and eating them while someone else made the cornflake cookies.
They are just like Rice Krispies treats subbing out the Rice Krispies for Cornflake cereal instead. If you don’t want to buy a box of cornflakes but you are like me and always have Rice Krispies on hand (hello Oreo Rice Krispies Treats) you can make these with those instead!
Just like our no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies these cornflake wreaths are a great to make with the kids! They’ll love mixing them up and decorating them. And, of course, eating them too!
If you love Christmas cookie baking and candy making as much as we do make sure to try some of our favorites! Easy microwave fudge, Rolo pretzel turtle candy, snickerdoodles, gingersnap cookies, and delicious, soft gingerbread cookies.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need on hand and possible substitutes:
- Salted butter – Believe it or not, the salt in the butter helps preserve the cookies when storing them.
- Mini marshmallows – This binds the ingredients together.
- Green food coloring – This gives the wreaths the classic green color! Allergic to food coloring? No problem! A sleek, white wreath is definitely still in style.
- Cornflakes – You can use your favorite brand for this. You may even like using Frosted Flakes, but, fair warning, it will be super sweet!
- Red Hot candies – You could use any small, red candies if you don’t like red hots or like another candy better. Red M&Ms and red ball sprinkles both work great!
Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare a baking sheet. Place parchment paper or wax paper on either a flat surface or a baking sheet. This is where you’ll place the wreaths to set.
Step 2 – Melt the marshmallows. First, add butter to a large pot and heat over medium low heat until it has fully melted. Next, stir in the marshmallows until fully melted and smooth.
Once marshmallows have melted, add the green food coloring and stir until well combined.
Finally, remove the pot from the heat.
Step 3 – Stir in the cornflakes. When the pot is off the heat, pour in the cornflakes and stir together until they are fully coated in the marshmallows.
Step 4 – Form the wreaths. Use a ¼ cup measuring cup, ice cream scoop, or other spoon to scoop about a ¼ cup of the cornflakes out and drop them onto your prepared surface.
Next, lightly grease your fingers with a small amount of nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil and use them to form the cornflake cookies into wreaths. You’ll want to make them as round as possible with a hole in the center.
Step 5 – Decorate and chill. After all the wreaths are ready, decorate each with 3 red hot candies, M&Ms, or sprinkles so that they look like holly berries. Make sure to press them in gently so that they stick to the wreaths as they cool. Allow them to cool completely before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Making cookies for this year’s Christmas cookie exchange? We’ve got tips for hosting a Christmas cookie exchange and lots of easy cookie recipes!
What to Use for Decorations
We grew up using Red Hots, which are also known as cinnamon imperials. Red Hots are little hot cinnamon candies that have a nice red look to them, which makes them perfect for Christmas inspired baking projects.
You can often find them in the baking aisle, though some stores may keep them with their regular candy selection.
Another great option for decorating these no-bake cookies are red mini-M&Ms or red ball sprinkles. Other candies that can add a bit of color or decor to the wreaths include:
- Silver or gold ball sprinkles
- Thin red licorice rope to make ribbons or possibly bows
- Star sprinkles
- Sprinkles (great for kids who just want to dump stuff on top)
How to Store Them
Storing these cookies is a lot like storing Rice Krispie treats. The key is to store them at room temperature in an airtight container or airtight bag.They should stay fresh for up to a week.
Before storing, allow them to set completely! If you don’t, they will stick together in one big clump.
Looking for More Christmas Cookie Recipes?
- White Chocolate Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
- Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Chocolate Spritz Cookies
- Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Gingersnap Cookies
- Soft Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
- Crispy Coconut Cookies
- Sand Tarts
- Mexican Wedding Cookies
- More Cookie Recipes…
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Christmas Wreath Cookies
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Salted butter
- 10 ounces Mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon Green food coloring
- 6 cups Cornflakes
- 39 Red Hot candies or other small red candies
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheets or a large flat surface by lining it with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Add butter to a large pot and heat over medium low heat until fully melted.
- Add the marshmallows to the pot and stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Add the green food coloring to the melted marshmallows and stir until well combined.
- Remove from heat and pour in the cornflakes stirring together until they are fully coated in the marshmallows.
- Scoop cornflakes out in ¼ cup portions and drop them onto your prepared surface.
- Lightly grease your hands with a small amount of nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil and use them to form the cornflake cookies into wreaths, creating a hole in the center.
- Decorate each with 3 red hot candies to look like holly berries.
- Let cool completely and then store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Nutrition
