Name: Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter; 30 large marshmallows; 6 drops green gel food coloring or 1 and 1/4 teaspoons liquid green food coloring; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 5 cups cornflakes; 1 bottle red hot candies or 1/2 cup red candy coated chocolates such as mini M&M's; cooking spray

There’s just something magical about a festive treat that looks as joyful as it tastes, right? This Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe brings that perfect holiday charm—crunchy, sweet, and topped with bright red candies, these wreath-shaped delights are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any holiday gathering.

The image shows several small wreath-shaped treats made of bright green textured cereal clusters. Each wreath is circular and thick, with a shiny green coating giving them a glossy look. Three shiny red round candies are placed on top of each wreath, acting like berries. The wreaths are arranged on a smooth white plate with a white marbled surface underneath. There are a few extra red candies and green sprinkles scattered around the plate for decoration. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is one of my go-tos when I want to whip up something festive but fuss-free. It’s sweet, colorful, and can be ready in under 20 minutes — perfect for last-minute holiday parties or a cozy kitchen activity with kids.

Super quick to make: Melt, mix, shape, and done — no difficult baking involved.
Fun to decorate: You get to add those classic red candies for that signature wreath look.
Kid-friendly activity: I love how my niece gets so excited shaping the wreaths and adding candies.
Crunchy, sweet texture: The cornflakes add a delightful crunch that keeps you coming back for more.

The image shows a wreath-shaped treat made of bright green clusters that look like crispy cereal coated with a shiny candy layer, forming one thick ring with a rough texture. On top of the green ring are small, smooth, shiny red candy pieces placed in groups of three at different spots. Around the wreath on the white plate are small, thin red and green sprinkles scattered randomly. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a simple but important role here. The marshmallows bind everything together, the butter adds richness, and the cornflakes bring that lovely crunch texture we all enjoy. Plus, the green food coloring and red candies make the whole cookie look like a festive wreath that's practically begging to be eaten.

Flat lay of a stick of pale yellow butter, a small pile of large white marshmallows, a small white bowl filled with vibrant green liquid food coloring, a small white bowl containing clear vanilla extract, a simple white bowl heaped with golden cornflakes, a small white bowl filled with shiny red candy-coated chocolates, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Adds creaminess and helps the marshmallows melt smoothly without burning.
Large marshmallows: The sticky, sweet base that holds all the cereal together perfectly.
Green gel or liquid food coloring: For that vibrant festive green — gel tends to give richer color without watering down the mix.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and subtle flavor, balancing the sweetness.
Cornflakes: The crunchy component, lightly coated so you get both crispness and chew.
Red hot candies or mini M&M’s: These act as the "holly berries," giving each wreath that classic, festive pop of red.
Cooking spray: Essential to keep your hands and tools from sticking while shaping.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to switch things up a bit depending on who’s helping me or what I have on hand. This Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe is flexible and invites creativity — feel free to add your favorite extras or swap out candies to suit your mood!

Variation: Once, I tried white chocolate chips mixed into the cornflakes for a slightly different texture and an extra sweet hit — my family couldn’t get enough!
Dietary tweak: Use gluten-free cornflakes to accommodate gluten sensitivities without altering the taste or texture.
Flavor twist: Add a little peppermint extract instead of vanilla for a festive, minty touch.
Different colors: Sometimes I play with red or blue food coloring for a unique twist on the classic wreath cookie look.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

Start by placing the butter and marshmallows into a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave them in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until everything’s melted and smooth. This part needs patience — keep stirring so the marshmallows don’t burn on the edges. Trust me, it’s worth the few extra seconds!

Step 2: Add Color and Flavor

Next, stir in your green gel or liquid food coloring and the vanilla extract. I prefer gel coloring because it gives that striking, rich green without watering down the mixture. Stir until the marshmallow mix looks uniformly green—this is the magic that transforms it into your festive wreath base.

Step 3: Coat the Cornflakes Gently

Add the cornflakes slowly and fold them into the marshmallow mixture. Be gentle here; you don’t want to crush the flakes but want even coverage. The coated flakes give your cookies a lovely crunch and a nicely balanced sweetness.

Step 4: Shape Your Wreaths

Spray your hands and a ¼ cup measuring cup with cooking spray to keep the sticky mixture from clinging. Pack the mixture tightly into the cup, then pop it onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your damp fingers to press a hole in the center, forming the wreath shapes. I find keeping my fingers damp makes shaping easier and neater — it’s a small trick but makes a big difference!

Step 5: Decorate and Cool

Place your red candies around the wreaths—these are your ‘holly berries.' Be creative, and don’t worry if some get pushed in a little; it looks charmingly homemade. Let the cookies cool completely until firm, which usually takes about 15 minutes, then dig in or store for later.

Top Tip

From my own trials with this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe, shaping the wreaths was the trickiest part in the beginning. Here’s what I learned that makes all the difference:

Use cooking spray liberally: Spraying your hands and measuring cups prevents the sticky marshmallow mix from slowing you down.
Don’t overmix cornflakes: Fold gently to keep their crunch intact—this gives your wreath cookies their signature texture.
Chill briefly for easier handling: If your mixture feels too warm or sticky, pop it in the fridge for 5-10 minutes before shaping.
Shape with damp fingers: It’s surprisingly helpful and makes those hollow wreath centers neater and easier to form.

How to Serve Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe

Christmas Wreath Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick to classic red hot candies or mini M&M’s because they’re bright and festive, but you can get creative with other small candies or sprinkles. Sometimes I add tiny silver dragées for a bit of sparkle—perfect if you want to impress your holiday guests.

Side Dishes

These wreath cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced cider, peppermint hot chocolate, or even a smooth eggnog. The crunch and sweetness balance out the warm drinks for a cozy holiday touch.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged these wreath cookies on a large platter lined with fresh pine sprigs and cranberries—it made an amazing centerpiece for the dessert table. Another fun idea is to tie a little ribbon through the wreath center and hang them as edible ornaments on a cookie tree. Kids love that!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover wreath cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay chewy and crunchy for about 3-4 days—perfect if you want to spread out the festive snacking.

Freezing

If I’m making a big batch ahead, I freeze the formed wreath cookies (before adding candies) on a tray, then transfer them to a zipper bag once solid. When ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature and decorate. This method saves so much time during the busy holiday rush!

Reheating

These cookies are best enjoyed cool or at room temperature, but if you want to warm them slightly, a quick 5-7 second zap in the microwave softens them up nicely without melting the candies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cereal instead of cornflakes?

Yes! While cornflakes offer the best crunch and texture for this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe, you can experiment with crispy rice cereal or even Cheerios for a different texture and flavor. Just keep in mind the coating might behave slightly differently depending on the cereal’s shape and moisture content.

How long do these wreath cookies last?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Beyond that, they may start to lose their crispness, but their chewy charm usually holds up well.

Can I make these wreath cookies vegan?

You can make substitutions like using vegan butter and marshmallows to make this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe vegan-friendly. Just be sure to check that your candies are also vegan, as some red candies contain gelatin or confectioner's glaze.

What’s the best way to get the wreath shape perfect?

Using a small measuring cup to pack the mixture helps form even-sized cookies, and shaping the hole with damp fingers keeps the center neat. Spraying your hands and tools with cooking spray prevents sticking, making the process much smoother. Chill the mixture briefly if it feels too sticky to handle.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe is one of those holiday classics that feels like a warm hug in cookie form. I love how easy it is to bring people together in the kitchen, shaping these colorful wreaths with a bit of sticky fun and a sprinkle of festive spirit. Give it a go—you’ll be amazed at how quickly this simple recipe becomes a cherished holiday tradition in your home.