These Christmas Cornflake Wreaths are the no-bake holiday cookies my family has made for more than 30 years! They come together in minutes, are perfect for making with kids, and are always the first treats to disappear from the dessert table.
Table of Contents
My Family’s No-Bake Christmas Cookie Tradition
The holidays don’t officially begin in our house until iconic Christmas Cornflake Wreaths make their annual debut! Just one taste of these crispy, chewy treats and I am transported to Beaver Creek, Colorado, where my family and I spend every winter holiday season.
Shaping these wreath cookies alongside my mom, Noni, is one of my earliest childhood memories. These nostalgic Christmas treats are a super festive twist on classic Rice Krispies Treats (and a confectionery cousin to our popular and just-as-festive Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats). Instead of cereal squares, you get adorable little edible wreaths made from gooey marshmallows, crunchy cornflakes and a squeeze of green food coloring. And for the holly berries? Cinnamon red hot candies!
I’ve been making this recipe for more than 30 years and love that my kids are now making it with me, too. These Christmas wreath cookies are no-bake, make-ahead friendly, and the perfect addition to any holiday dessert spread or tucked into cookie boxes for gifting.
- Cornflakes: The star of the show! Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are what give these cookies their signature crispy-chewy texture and classic flavor.
- Marshmallows: You’ll need 3 cups of large marshmallows. You can use mini marshmallows, but increase the amount to 4 cups so the ratio stays the same. I’ve always used large marshmallows, but many other cornflake Christmas wreath recipes use this ratio when subbing in minis.
- Butter: Adds rich flavor and keeps the mixture pliable. I use unsalted butter, but salted works too if that’s what you have in your fridge.
- Green food coloring: Gel or liquid both work, but I prefer gel because you only need a few drops and you get the most vibrant color. I used this Leaf Green gel food coloring; start with 1-2 drops and add more as needed until you reach your desired Christmas tree shade.
- Vanilla extract: A splash for flavor.
- Red cinnamon candies: Red Hots are the most traditional choice for that classic holly berry look, but you can also use mini red M&M’s for a more kid-friendly, non-spicy version.
- Cooking spray: Your best friend for shaping! A quick spritz keeps the marshmallow mixture from sticking to your hands.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
This recipe is fast, fun and truly a whole-family activity. My best tip? Measure everything before you turn on the stove. Once the marshmallows melt, things move quickly. You’ll melt the butter and marshmallows, tint them green, fold in the cornflakes, then shape the wreaths while everything is still warm and sticky.
Kelly’s Note: You want every nook and cranny of your cereal coated in the green marshmallow mixture. A big silicone spatula works best here.
Shape the Wreaths
Once you have your marshmallow cornflake mixture, it’s time to shape it into wreaths—this is where you can get the kids involved! You’ll need to move quickly, but be careful because the mixture will be warm.
I like to dump the cornflake mixture onto wax paper taped to my counter. Spray your hands lightly with cooking spray, then grab small handfuls and portion them onto another sheet of wax paper.
Once you’ve formed all your mounds, go back and shape each one into a circle with a small opening in the center. While the wreaths are still warm, gently press 2–3 red cinnamon candies onto each one so they stick.
That’s it! Just let them cool completely so they firm up before serving or packing.
If you’re in a rush, or prefer a more communal approach to dessert, skip shaping the cereal treats into individual wreaths and gather the mixture together to form one giant wreath. Then friends and family can pull off pieces as they please.
Tips from 30+ Years of Making These
- If the mixture stiffens before you’re done shaping: Pop the pan back over low heat for 15–20 seconds to loosen it again. Don’t walk away. You’re not remelting the marshmallows, just warming the mixture enough so it becomes pliable again.
- If the mixture is sticking to your hands: Give your hands another light mist of cooking spray or lightly dampen your fingertips with water. You may need to repeat this once or twice while shaping.
- If the wreaths are losing their shape: This usually means the mixture cooled a little too much (very normal, the window is short!). Warm mixture = easy shaping, so work quickly. You can also give each mound a gentle “massage” with your fingertips to help redefine the circle in the center.
- If your green looks too pale or too dark: Food coloring intensifies slightly as it sits. Start with less gel color than you think you need, mix, then add drop by drop until you hit your perfect shade of green.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Store fully cooled marshmallow wreaths in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’re stacking them, add parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep them away from warm spots in your kitchen so they stay firm and hold their shape.
Christmas wreath cookies freeze really well and taste just as delicious once thawed. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment between layers, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature.
Do They Travel Well?
YES. These are one of the best no-bake Christmas treats for cookie tins, dessert trays, teacher gifts and neighbor drop-offs. They don’t crumble, they don’t melt, and they stay chewy for days.
For more festive Christmas dessert inspiration, don’t miss my favorite holiday cookie recipes!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 30 large marshmallows (about 3 cups)
- 1 Tablespoon green food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups cornflakes
- Cinnamon red-hot candies
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
- Add the marshmallows to the melted butter and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the green food coloring and the vanilla extract, stirring to combine.
- Add the cornflakes and stir the mixture constantly until the cornflakes are evenly coated.
- Place a large piece of parchment paper on the counter and spray it lightly with cooking spray.
- Remove the saucepan from the stove and quickly form the cornflake mixture into wreaths by making a small hole in each mound of the cornflake mixture.
- While the cornflakes are still warm, place the red-hot candies atop the wreaths for garnish.
Video
Marshmallow Christmas Wreaths
Add a pop of color and flavor to your holiday table with this quick and easy recipe for Marshmallow Christmas Wreaths! RECIPE: http://bit.ly/2z5TKge
Kelly’s Notes
- If using mini marshmallows, increase to 4 cups.
- Work quickly when shaping. A warm marshmallow mixture is easiest to mold.
- Lightly spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking. You may need to repeat this once or twice while shaping.
- If the mixture firms up before you’re done, warm the pot over low heat for 10–15 seconds to loosen it again.
- For kid-friendly wreaths, use mini red M&M’s instead of spicy cinnamon candies.
- To make a giant wreath, press the mixture into one large ring and add candies while warm.
- To store: Store fully cooled marshmallow wreaths in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’re stacking them, add parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep them away from warm spots in your kitchen so they stay firm and hold their shape.
- To freeze: Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment between layers, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
Did you try this recipe?
Leave a comment below with your star rating!
This post may contain affiliate links.
Recipe adapted from Rose's Christmas Cookies by Rose Levy Beranbaum.
Fun recipe to make for Christmas. I actually enjoyed the red hots on them and was not sure I would. #jatrecipechallenge
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Lanna!
These were fun to make. I did not think I would like the red hots on them but I was surprised, they were very good.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Lanna!
Thank you for having this recipe. I made it the first time in 1972.My best friend gave me the recipe and I’ve made them every single year since then.It’s over 50 years, and they’re still first to go.Thank you.Keep up the good work , Ruth Roberts
So many great memories making this recipe, Ruth!
These are so festive and fun to make, not to mention super tasty! We made it a family affair and had a blast!
#jatrecipechallenge
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Adrienne!
amazing recipe simple and great for the kids
So glad you enjoyed it, Tracy!
Brad/Sharon these look like something you would like to make. Your rice krispy squares are always soooooo good.
Perfect recipe. After they dried they stayed soft and delicious and didn’t turn in to green rocks.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Amy!
Can i add some mini chocolate chips to the mixture as i shape the wreaths?
Hi Deborah! The mixture will still be warm when you’re shaping them so the chocolate chips would just melt. If you’re OK with melted chocolate, I say go for it!
Everything about this recipe was great….just wondering why it is taking so long to ‘set’. Was it something I did?
Hi Diane! Do you live in a humid climate?
Add mixture in muffin tin and spray a wooden spoon with cooking spray and twirl end of spoon to make wreaths spray tin.
Great tip, Jacqueline!
I also grew up with these wonderful treats. My sister and I always looked forward to making these wreaths with mom. I still make them every year from memory. Finally, a recipe to go by. This is a keeper. Friends and family love them! Thank you!!!
I’m so thrilled to hear that you and your family enjoy the recipe, Corinne!
What a great great recipe it was so easy and the steps were spot on . Cornflake Christmas wreaths came out perfect
I’m so happy to read this, Christine!
Love these so good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Adelyn!
I’ve made these before with Corn Flakes and they were a hit. I have 2 boxes of special K. I wonder if it would work the same
I’m so happy to hear they were a hit and you enjoyed them, Deborah! Special K should work just as well!
This is a classic twist on normal rice crispy treats- but they taste SO much better!! My mom would make these for us when we were kids and I have been trying to track down how to make them and this is it! Thank you for this recipe!
You are so welcome, Jennifer! Happy holidays!
Love making its easy good,thank you for the recipe .
You are so welcome, Patricia! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!
Can I sub shortening for butter?
That should work!
Could not shape into wreaths, too sticky! So I call them my grinch globs-lol. Too much butter I believe.
Hi Kathy – I’ve found success by spraying my hands with cooking spray so the mixture won’t stick. :)
I made these many years ago & prepared 6+ doz last night for a cookie exchange tonight. None of the recipes I looked at talked about “drying time”. Mine are all pretty sticky more than 12 hrs since making. I live in Texas so it can be humid & it’s 62% this morning. I’m wondering if that’s the only reason they’re still sticky!
Hi there! These will definitely “dry” and firm up as the set, but it sounds like it’s definitely a humidity issue!
Had the best time mKing these with our four year old granddaughter. Pretty sticky so I should have buttered my hands ANd used gel food coloring, but we loved them!
Love, love, love reading this! So thrilled you and your granddaughter enjoyed this holiday favorite. :)
Tried these and they aren’t anywhere near a good green :/ they look like.. yellow with a yucky green tint. they taste pretty good but i used more marshmallows because the first round was way too battery and got hard like toffee almost. thanks for the recipe tho! nothing ever turns out for me
I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy the recipe, Grace. I highly recommend using gel food coloring to achieve a rich color.
Has anyone ever have a problem with the red hots bleeding onto the wreath when freezing?
IF you butter your hands the mixture does not stick to your hands while shaping.
Great tip, Andrea!
Can you sub mini marshmallows? And how many cups (or ounces) of minis??
Absolutely! Use three cups of loosely packed mini mallows.
This is what I usually do! And I butter the handle of a wooden spoon to make the center hole of the wreath –works like a charm!
Love this tip, Julie!
Can I used Cinnamon Toast Crunch instead for my cereal? How do you think that would turn out?
Hi Zach! I’ve never tried that but it *should* work. Let me know if you give it a shot!
Thanks for the recipe turned out great I just used red candy sprinkles that were round instead
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Joanne!
can you freeze the wreaths?
Hi Colette – Yes! To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in an airtight container. They’ll last for up to a month in the freezer. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
I too had problems with the wreathes sticking together. I counted the 30 marshmallows out but in hindsight I would use the whole bag of marshmallows.
Hi Summer – I’m sorry you didn’t have success with this recipe. Once you removed the cornflake mixture from the stove, did you quickly form it into wreaths?
can you use marshmellow fluff
Hi Carol! I haven’t tried that so unfortunately I cannot say with certainty that it will work or how much marshmallow fluff you would need. Sorry I can’t be of more help!
Husband tried these, did not work for him. Were too moist and did not hold sharp. Think he must have used too much butter. Going to try myself. Apart from that, love your recipes, so delicious.
Hi Theresa – I’ve never experienced that. Did he follow the recipe as directed?
Can you freeze this recipe?
Hi Maryanne – Yes! To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in an airtight container. They’ll last for up to a month in the freezer. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Can they be freezed before time?
Hi Helen! Yes, they’ll last for up to a month in the freezer. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in an airtight container. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. ENJOY!
Planning this for a class gingerbread house making project. Will it hold up for a few hours without refrigeration and on the gingerbread house or will it melt and fall apart?
Hi Shreya! Once they firm up, they should hold their shape. :)
They look yummy and easy to make . I am going to try them .
I hope you enjoy the recipe, Darlene!
I always make them but adding “creme de mint” – for the adults -yummm
Yum! Love that idea, Richard!
In regards to the Christmas reefs treats for thanks giving treats you can do the same. Create three bowls but instead of green use yellow red and orange and create a thanks giving or fall fest treat in which i call a leaf pile or even a fall reef or even take a Hersheys piece as the trunk and make a chocolate fall tree.
Great idea, Jeff!
This sounds wonderful for fall or Thanksgiving! Thanks for the tip!
Just curious, do your hands turn green making these?
Only slightly! Spray your hands with cooking spray prior to shaping the wreaths and the mixture won’t stick as much :)
This is HAPPY FOOD!!! Nostalgic and sweet. Love it, loved making these as a kid and feeling like I should make them today!
Yes, yes and yesssss!
This is brilliant! Do you know a way I can sub green food coloring to something else, natural way? We don’t do food coloring in cooking especially with kids :)
Hi Olga – I’ve never used a food coloring substitute so I’m not sure what the results would be. Sorry I can’t be of more help!
I make these every year and they are always a huge hit.
So glad you’ve been enjoying the recipe, Patti!
How do you shape the wreaths and scoop out the center? Im ready to try these. So yummy
Hi Jessica! You have to work very quickly, and I’ve found success by spraying my hands with cooking spray so the mixture won’t stick.
i love these. these are usually for christmas. thankyou
My mom used to make a large version of this for our Christmas potluck!
These are a must during the holiday season! And I love the idea of a larger cookie, Erin!
Cannot resist. Beautiful idea ! Definitely on my to do list ! Thank you !
These are adorable! How fun for the holidays!
Gorgeous– making these!!!!