Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a batch of Christmas Wreath Cookies with Marshmallows Recipe fresh from the oven. These charming treats are soft, chewy, and delightfully festive, with just the right pop of red from the candies on top. They’re a joy to make and even more fun to share around the kitchen table.

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 with Marshmallows Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Wreath Cookies with Marshmallows Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Wreath Cookies with Marshmallows Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made Christmas Wreath Cookies with Marshmallows Recipe every holiday season for years, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite no-bake treats. They’re quick to whip up, which is such a relief during the busy holidays, and everyone loves how cute they look on the cookie tray.

Easy to Make: Melting marshmallows and mixing with cornflakes is downright simple and kid-friendly.
Festive and Colorful: The vibrant green marshmallow coating and bright red candies make these cookies pop with holiday spirit.
Customizable: You can play with candy toppings or even add a touch of peppermint extract for a twist.
No Oven Needed: If you hate heating up your kitchen during December, these cookies are a perfect win.

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 here plays a crucial role in creating that classic Christmas Wreath Cookies with Marshmallows Recipe texture and flavor, especially the marshmallows which act as the glue that holds those crisp cornflakes together, while the food coloring brings the holiday vibe to life.

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 richness and helps the marshmallows melt smoothly without sticking too much.
Marshmallows: The star of the show, providing sweetness and that signature chewy texture when cooled.
Green Gel Food Coloring: Gel is best for vibrant color without thinning the marshmallow mixture.
Vanilla Extract: Balances the sweetness with a warm, comforting flavor.
Cornflakes: Their crispness creates that delightful contrast when mixed with the marshmallows.
Red Hot Candies or Red Candy Coated Chocolates: These mimic holly berries and add a festive pop of red, plus a nice crunch or chocolatey bite.
Cooking Spray: Essential to grease your hands or measuring cup so the mixture doesn’t stick 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 mixing things up depending on the crowd and occasion. Sometimes I swap out the candies for festive sprinkles or even mini chocolate chips if I want a sweeter touch, and you can absolutely play with extracts to add hints of peppermint or almond for a personalized twist.

Variation: One year, I added crushed peppermint candies instead of traditional red candies – it added a lovely crunch and a refreshing minty kick that everyone agreed was a winner.

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

Step 1: Get Your Mess-Free Workspace Ready

I always start by lining a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat – this saves so much cleanup time later. Then, I lightly grease the measuring cup and my fingers with cooking spray before melting the marshmallows and butter together. It’s a small step but makes shaping so much easier, trust me.

Step 2: Melt Marshmallows and Butter Gently

Microwave the marshmallows and butter in 30-second bursts, stirring in between until smooth and fully melted. It’s important not to overdo it or the mixture can scorch or turn grainy, so patience helps here.

Step 3: Add Color and Flavor

Next, stir in the green gel food coloring and vanilla extract. Keep mixing until the marshmallow mixture is an even shade of holiday green – it’s like magic watching it transform.

Step 4: Mix in Cornflakes Gently

Pour your cornflakes into the marshmallow bowl and fold them in gently, coating each flake without crushing them. This helps keep your wreaths light and crispy instead of dense and soggy.

Step 5: Shape Your Wreath Cookies

Using a greased ¼ cup measuring cup, pack the mixture in and carefully turn it out onto your lined sheet pan. Then, dampen your fingers to make a hole right in the center, shaping the mixture into wreaths. Place your red candy “berries” right on top for that perfect festive look.

Step 6: Let Them Cool Completely

I always let the wreath cookies cool at room temperature until firm—usually about 20-30 minutes. This step is crucial so they hold their shape when you pick them up instead of falling apart.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve found a few little secrets that make the Christmas Wreath Cookies with Marshmallows Recipe turn out perfectly every time. Here’s what helped me nail the texture and shape with less stress.

Use Gel Food Coloring: This type doesn’t thin your marshmallow mix, so your wreaths stay sturdy and brilliantly green.
Grease Your Measuring Cup & Fingers: Marshmallow goo is sticky, so a little cooking spray keeps everything sliding off nicely when shaping.
Don’t Over-Mix Cornflakes: Gently folding keeps the cereal crunchy and preserves the light bite we all love in these wreath cookies.
Cool Completely Before Serving: They firm up a lot as they cool—try rushing this and you might end up with falling-apart wreaths.

How to Serve Christmas Wreath Cookies with Marshmallows Recipe

Christmas wreath cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For garnish, I stick with the classic red candies—either Hot Tamales or mini red M&M’s—because they look like holly berries and add a fun crunch. But I’ve also had success using tiny edible sugar pearls or even a dusting of powdered sugar snow for a whimsical touch.

Side Dishes

The best side for these cookies is a cup of hot cocoa or a warm mug of spiced apple cider. They’re also wonderful alongside a cheese board to balance the sweet with savory during holiday parties.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve arranged these wreath cookies around a big plate with evergreen sprigs and cranberries for a festive centerpiece. Another time, I wrapped individual cookies in cellophane tied with red ribbon—such a hit for neighbor gifts or classroom treats!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay chewy and fresh for about 3 to 4 days, perfect for nibbling throughout the week.

Freezing

Freezing works well too! I place the wreath cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer bag. When I want one, I let it thaw on the counter for 15-20 minutes – just enough to enjoy like fresh made.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake, reheating isn’t necessary. But if you want gooey marshmallow softness, a quick zap in the microwave (about 5 seconds) does the trick – just don’t overdo it or they’ll melt too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute cornflakes with another cereal?

Yes! You can use Rice Krispies or even Cheerios if you prefer. Just keep in mind that different cereals will slightly change the texture and flavor. I usually stick with cornflakes for that crispy yet sturdy hold.

What’s the best way to get the marshmallow mixture off my hands?

A quick and easy trick is to spray your hands with cooking spray before handling the sticky marshmallow mix. If you forget, dipping your fingers in a bit of butter or even rinsing with warm water can help, but drying and re-coating with spray or butter works best.

Can I make these wreath cookies in advance for a party?

Absolutely! You can make them a day or two ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Just make sure they’ve cooled completely before storing to keep their shape and texture.

Is there a vegan version of this Christmas Wreath Cookies with Marshmallows Recipe?

Traditional marshmallows contain gelatin, so for a vegan version, you’ll want to find vegan marshmallows made with plant-based ingredients. Substitute butter for a vegan margarine or coconut oil and double-check your candies to be vegan-friendly. I haven’t tried this version myself yet, but it’s a great idea to explore!

Final Thoughts

Christmas Wreath Cookies with Marshmallows Recipe hold a special place in my heart—it brings back the warmest memories of baking with loved ones and sharing sweet smiles across the kitchen. I truly hope you enjoy making these as much as I do and find they add that magical touch to your holidays. You’ll be surprised how simple joy can taste!