Bring festive cheer to your holiday dessert table with these adorable Christmas Wreath Cookies-a nostalgic, no-bake treat that comes together in minutes. These crunchy, marshmallow-coated cornflake wreath cookies are irresistibly buttery, colorful, and perfect for sharing with family, friends, and neighbors.
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I've shared lots of marshmallow treat recipes in the past, from Coco Puff Bars, Golden Graham S'mores Bars, Popcorn Balls, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars, Bakery Style Rice Crispy Treats, and more, and today I get to share these fun cornflake wreaths. They are so easy to make and really get you in the Christmas spirit!
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick & Easy: No baking required, and these cornflake wreaths are ready in under 15 minutes.
- Fun & Festive: Bright green wreaths with red candies look gorgeous on any holiday tray.
- Kid-Friendly: Simple steps make cornflake wreaths easy for little helpers to make.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Sweet, buttery, and crunchy-everyone loves them!
What You Need for Christmas Wreath Cookies
- Butter: Salted butter works great for this recipe.
- Marshmallows: I like to use mini marshmallows because they melt faster.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a little bit for some extra flavor!
- Corn Flakes: This cereal gives the wreaths the best test and look of branches!
- Green Food Coloring Gel: Gel is super concentrated and makes coloring treats very easy. If using the non-gel color, you will need about 3x as much to get the deep green.
- Red Candies: These can be red hots, mini red M&Ms, or sprinkles!
Substitutions
- Cornflakes → Rice Krispies: Creates a smoother, softer wreath texture.
- Red Cinnamon Candies → Mini M&Ms: A sweeter, kid-friendly swap.
- Butter → Coconut Oil: Works in a pinch and adds a light coconut flavor.
- Vanilla Extract → Almond Extract: Adds a more bakery-style flavor.
If you like this cornflake wreaths recipe, make sure to check out my Christmas Tree Cupcakes, Peppermint Marshmallow Wands, Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, Christmas Holiday Popcorn, and this Easy Christmas Crack Recipe.
How to Make Christmas Wreath Cookies?
- Step 1: In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Then add the vanilla and marshmallows, stir until the marshmallows are fully melted.
- Step 2: Remove from the heat and stir in the green food gel.
- Step 3: Add in the cornflakes and stir until fully coated.
- Step 4: Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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- Step 5: Shape each scoop into a wreath by making a hole in the center of each, then decorate with a few red candies.
- Step 6: Let the wreaths cool and set completely before serving.
Expert Tips
- Don't Overheat: Melt the marshmallows gently to keep the mixture smooth and the cornflake wreaths from being brittle.
- Work Quickly: The mixture sets fast, shape the wreaths while still warm.
- Grease Your Hands: Lightly grease your fingers to make shaping easier. I like to use PAM spray for this, but butter works too.
CornFlake Wreath Variations:
Snow: Sprinkle with powdered sugar or dizzle with white candy melts for a snow-like effect.
Sprinkles: Decorate with lightbulb sprinkles and a little black candy melts to make it look like lights on the wreaths.
Make a Christmas Tree: Make a larger cornflake wreaths cookie, then smaller and smaller cookies, and stack them on top of each other to form a 3D tree, kind of like my Gingerbread Cookie Tree. Decorate with sprinkles for a festive look!
Frequently Asked Questions
Grease your fingers with butter or cooking spray before shaping.
Yes! Make these cookies ahead of time, place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between cookie layers, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Store wreaths in an air-tight container and at room temperature for up to a week. I like to lightly lay parchment paper between cookie layers to help them keep from sticking.
They may not have cooled fully. I reccomend giving them more time to set.
Absolutely! Let them place the candies or shape the wreaths with supervision.
More Related Recipes
If you like this cornflake wreath recipe, make sure to check out all my easy Christmas Recipes, like my Christmas Margarita, Easy Christmas Drink, Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Dip, Christmas Chex Mix, Gingerbread Cookies, and this delicious Christmas Cake!
If you like this recipe, make sure to give it a 5-star review and leave a comment down below!
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Video
Christmas Wreath Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter salted or unsalted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups mini marshmallows 10 oz bag
- ½ teaspoon green gel food coloring
- 5 cups cornflakes cereal
- Red sprinkles mini red M&Ms, or cinnamon red-hot candies
- Powdered Sugar Optional
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a pot or large sauce pan melt butter over low heat. Once melted stir in the vanilla.½ cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add marshmallows and stir until melted.6 cups mini marshmallows
- Once fully melted add the green food coloring and stir until fully incorporated.½ teaspoon green gel food coloring
- Stir in the cornflakes.5 cups cornflakes cereal
- Working quickly, scoop a heaping tablespoon of the cornflakes onto the prepared baking sheet. Then with your fingers shape each mound into a wreath. It will help to grease the measuring spoon and your hands with nonstick cooking spray or extra butter to help with the stickiness.
- Add 3 little red candies to each wreath before they set.Red sprinkles
- Let the wreaths cool completely before eating. If you want a snowy effect, dust the wreaths with powdered sugar.Powdered Sugar
Notes
- Storage: Store wreaths in an air-tight container and at room temperature for up to a week. Place wax or parchment paper between any layers of cookies to help prevent them from sticking together.
- Make ahead: Make these ahead of time, place them in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. I like to put parchment paper between the layers of cookies to help prevent them from clumping together.
Lisa says
These are adorable and so easy to make! Love it!