This Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Recipe is a chewy and festive recipe, which is made with cornflakes and melted marshmallows. It’s a nostalgic holiday treat, ready in about 2 hours and 15 minutes (including setting time).
Jump to RecipeCornflake Christmas Wreaths Recipe Ingredients
- One 16-ounce package marshmallows
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring, for tinting
- 6 cups cornflakes
- Mini round cinnamon candies, for decorating
- Red sour candy roll-ups, such as Rip Rolls, or licorice ropes, cut into 5-by-1/4-inch lengths, for decorating
- White mini nonpareils, for decorating
How To Make Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Recipe
- Melt the base: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the marshmallows and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50-percent power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until completely melted and smooth, about 1 minute 30 seconds.
- Color the mixture: Stir in the vanilla extract and enough green gel food coloring to make the mixture a deep, vibrant green (start with 10 to 15 drops).
- Coat the cereal: Pour the cornflakes into the bowl and stir gently with a spatula until they are completely coated in the green marshmallow mixture. Be careful not to crush the flakes too much.
- Shape the wreaths: Working with wet hands (to prevent sticking), scoop portions of the mixture and form into twenty-four 2-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets and flatten slightly. Poke a hole in the middle of each with your finger, molding the sides as needed to form a doughnut/wreath shape.
- Decorate: Immediately decorate with the cinnamon candies to create “holly berries.” Form the red candy strips into a simple bow and place one on each wreath. Sprinkle lightly with the white nonpareils to look like snow.
- Let set: Let the wreaths set at room temperature to firm up, about 2 hours, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to speed up the process.
Recipe Tips
- Why use wet hands?: The marshmallow mixture is incredibly sticky. Keeping a small bowl of cold water nearby to dip your fingers in before shaping each wreath is essential. Alternatively, you can grease your hands with butter or cooking spray.
- Gel vs. Liquid Coloring: Gel food coloring is highly recommended over liquid drops. Gel is more concentrated, so you get a deep Christmas green without adding excess liquid that could make the wreaths soggy.
- Work quickly: Marshmallows begin to set as they cool. Have all your decorations (candies, sprinkles, bows) prepped and ready to go before you start melting the marshmallows.
- Flavor variations: You can add a 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract or peppermint extract along with the vanilla for a different holiday flavor profile.
- Cornflake substitute: If you don’t have cornflakes, you can use Rice Krispies cereal, though the texture will be less crunchy and more like a traditional treat.
What To Serve With Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Recipe
These colorful cookies look great on a mixed holiday platter.
- Gingerbread men
- Sugar cookies
- A mug of hot chocolate or eggnog
- Peppermint bark
How To Store Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Recipe
- Room Temperature: Store the set wreaths in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 to 4 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Refrigerate: While you can chill them to set, storing them in the fridge long-term can make them hard and chewy. Room temperature is best.
- Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze these treats as the cornflakes can become soggy and the marshmallows tough upon thawing.
Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 160
- Total Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 95mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 32g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 20g
- Protein: 1g
Nutrition information is estimated per wreath.
FAQs
Yes. Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until melted. Remove from heat, add color and vanilla, then stir in the cereal.
Standard Kellogg’s Corn Flakes contain malt flavoring, which is derived from barley (gluten). To make these gluten-free, you must buy a specific brand of certified gluten-free cornflakes.
Yes, mini marshmallows actually melt faster and more evenly than large ones. Use the same weight (16 ounces) regardless of size.
Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy24
servings15
minutes2
minutes160
kcalA classic no-bake holiday cookie shaped like festive wreaths, featuring crunchy cornflakes coated in sweet green marshmallow.
Ingredients
16 oz marshmallows
6 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
6 cups cornflakes
Red cinnamon candies (for berries)
Red licorice/candy strips (for bows)
White nonpareils (for snow)
Directions
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Microwave butter and marshmallows on 50% power until melted.
- Stir in green coloring and vanilla.
- Fold in cornflakes until coated.
- With wet hands, form mixture into 24 balls.
- Flatten and poke a hole in the center to make a wreath shape.
- Decorate with red candies and sprinkles immediately.
- Allow to set for 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Decoration: If you can’t find cinnamon candies, red M&Ms work perfectly as berries.
- Cleanup: Soak your bowl in hot water immediately after use to dissolve the sticky marshmallow residue easily.
