I’m not sure why, but ever since I was a child Cornflake Wreaths and braided Candy Cane cookies trigger the ultimate of Christmas feelings.
These classic no bake cookies only use a handful of ingredients and are ready in just 15 minutes. And truth be told, I enjoy them better warm, so I usually eat one right after forming the cute little wreath shapes.
Christmas Wreath Cookies
Never heard of them? I’m pretty sure you’ve at least seen them.
They are a mix of cereal bars, meets rice krispie treats and also no bake cookies. Here is what you’ll need:
- Marshmallows
- Cornflake Cereal – cornflakes mimic the wisps of evergreen and pine trees, but you can really use any cereal you want. Cheerios and Chex will also work, although Chex are a little fragile.
- Vanilla Extract
- Butter
- Green Food Coloring
- Red Candies- Mini or regular M&Ms or cinnamon candy imperials
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil
How to Make Cornflake Wreath Cookies
Making them is similar to making rice krispie treats. Melt your butter, add marshmallow, vanilla and then for this recipe, green food coloring.
Toss with Cornflake cereal and then mold into little wreaths and decorate with red berries. Sounds easy, right?
It is, but the shaping of the wreaths can be a little tricky. The marshmallow mixture is sticky and it is hot! Here are my tips for shaping your wreaths.
- Let the mixture cool slightly so it isn’t super, burn you hot, but don’t wait until it starts to harden.
- Wear powderless latex gloves. While these won’t keep out all the heat, it makes it more bearable.
- Spray your hands with cooking spray or rub a little vegetable oil on them to prevent sticking. You might have to do this several times.
- To make it even easier, lay a greased round cookie cutter on a work surface and pack the mixture in. Use a smaller cutter or your fingers to create a hole in the middle.
- Add red candy embellishments as the holly berries before it fully sets and dries.
- If you miss the tacky stage, use dots of red frosting to create the berries or use any other color of frosting as an adhesive.
Cornflake Wreaths Variations
You know I love a few substitutions and variations! There aren’t too many options here, but there are a few ways to make your Christmas Wreath Cookies yours…
- Use a different flavored extract. While some recipes don’t use any at all, I like the added umph of vanilla. Swap this out for almond, peppermint, maple, imitation butter or any other flavor your heart desires.
- Flavored marshmallows- Marshmallows are key here! Chocolate, strawberry and other varieties of marshmallows also work. Be mindful that this might impact flavor and color of your cornflake wreaths. You can also omit food coloring and just make a natural, burlap style wreath.
- Frosting instead of candy. Red hots or M&Ms aren’t a total necessity. If you miss the tacky phase or just don’t want to use candy, make a few red dots with frosting.
- Decorate your wreath. Mine are traditional, but this is just a jumping off point. Create a bow with fruit leather or add multi colored frosting dots to make Christmas lights.
- Use a different type of cereal. Don’t feel chained to Cornflakes. Cheerios and Rice Krispies work, and I am sure any other cereal you prefer will too. I tried this with Chew and they were a little too fragile to form without crumbling, so that is the only one I would stay away from.
Make Ahead & Storage
These cornflake wreaths can be made days in advance. They are best enjoyed within 5 days of making.
Let them cool and harden fully before stacking in air airtight container. I like to place a sheet of wax or parchment paper between each layer.
I do not recommend freezing Cornflake Wreaths. The marshmallow thaws too hard and chewy. Makes you jaw hurt to eat them!
More Christmas cookie ideas:
- Christmas Crack
- Peppermint Sugar Cookies
- Nutter Butter Santa Cookies
- Eggnog Cookies
- Chocolate Pecan Cookie Bars
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Cornflake Wreath Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 55 large marshmallows ,
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon liquid green food coloring (1/2 teaspoon gel)
- 4 ½ cups Cornflake cereal
- ¼ cup red cinnamon or M&M candies
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
- In a heavy bottom medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Don’t crank up the heat too high or you’ll risk browning the butter.
- Add marshmallows and vanilla extract, stirring until completely combined and melted.
- Remove from heat and add green food coloring, mix well.
- Gently fold in Cornflake cereal until evenly coated.
- Drop by tablespoon onto prepared baking sheet and form into wreath shapes. Wait until mixture has cooled slightly so you don’t get burned, but it is still pliable. Wearing food grade non powdered gloves helps. Buttering your hands or spraying with cooking spray will prevent sticking.
- Add cinnamon or M&M candies while mixture is still tacky.
- Allow to cool and set fully. Too store, stack in an airtight container separated by parchment or wax paper.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings!
These look so fun and delicious! I can’t wait to give this a try!
Absolutely LOVE these cute wreath cookies! Can’t wait to make these!
How fun are these little treats! The kids are going to love helping make them and eating them too.
These cookies are so fun and festive! My kids and I had a great time making them this weekend!
What an adorable way to bring the festive season home! Love how they’re so Christmas-y. Such a hit with children! Thanks for sharing 😀