There’s something magical about the scent of buttery marshmallows and festive green hues filling the kitchen. This Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe is not only quick and easy but also brings that nostalgic holiday charm with every bite—perfect for sharing or gifting this season.

The image shows several small green wreath-shaped treats made from clusters of shiny green popcorn tightly packed together to form rounded rings. Each wreath is decorated with bright red round candies placed in groups of three to five on top, resembling holly berries. The wreaths sit on a white plate, which rests on a white marbled surface. Some sprinkles in red and green colors are scattered around the wreaths and plate, adding a festive touch. 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

Honestly, I’ve made plenty of holiday treats, but these Christmas wreath cookies always stand out at any gathering. What I adore about them is how they combine that crispy crunch with festive colors, and you don’t need a lot of ingredients or baking skills to nail them.

Simple Ingredients: You likely already have everything in your pantry and fridge, so it’s super accessible.
Fun to Make: Forming the wreath shape is a little project that’s perfect if you want to get the kids involved.
Festive and Colorful: The green marshmallow coating with red candies creates that perfect Christmas vibe on your dessert table.
No Oven Required: It’s a total win when you want holiday treats without turning on the oven for hours.

This image shows a green wreath-shaped treat made of small, shiny green clusters with a textured, rough surface. The wreath has a round shape and sits on a white plate with a smooth edge. Scattered on top and around the wreath are small, bright red oval candies and short colored sprinkles in red and green, adding color contrast. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface that gives a clean and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe’s magic lies in combining gooey marshmallows and cornflakes for crunch, plus a touch of butter for richness. The green food coloring and red candies aren’t just for looks—they bring the Christmas spirit front and center.

Flat lay of a stick of pale yellow butter, a white ceramic bowl filled with large white marshmallows, a small white bowl holding vibrant green gel food coloring, another small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a white ceramic bowl overflowing with golden cornflakes, and a small white bowl containing bright red candy-coated chocolates, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed 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 melt the marshmallows smoothly.
Marshmallows: The glue that binds everything, creating that stretchy, sweet coating you want.
Green gel or liquid food coloring: Choose gel for vibrant color without changing texture.
Vanilla extract: A splash enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavors.
Cornflakes: They provide a crisp, light crunch that’s not too heavy.
Red hot candies or mini M&M’s: These little pops of red are the perfect festive accent on your wreaths.
Cooking spray: Keep this handy to grease your tools and prevent sticky fingers during wreath 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

One of the things I love about this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you prefer a milder color or want different toppings, these wreaths are forgiving and fun to personalize.

Variation: I’ve tried swapping cornflakes for crispy rice cereal for an extra crunch, and it worked beautifully—give it a try if you like a different texture.
Dietary Mods: You can use vegan butter and vegan marshmallows if you’re catering to dietary needs without losing that signature taste.
Seasonal Changes: For a twist, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies instead of red hot candies for a minty touch.

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

Step 1: Melt with Care

Start by placing your butter and marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl. I microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between—this helps avoid scorching. You want everything to be smooth and silky, so take your time with this step.

Step 2: Add Color and Flavor

Once melted, add green food coloring a few drops at a time to reach that perfect holiday green. Mix in the vanilla extract for a subtle warmth. Trust me, this little addition makes the cookies taste way better than just colored marshmallows.

Step 3: Coat the Cereal

Gently fold the cornflakes into the marshmallow mixture so every piece is evenly coated. Be careful not to crush the flakes—you want them light and crisp, not soggy or flattened.

Step 4: Shape with Love

Grease a ¼ cup measuring cup with cooking spray and pack the cereal mixture firmly inside. Turn it onto your prepared sheet pan. Use lightly sprayed fingers to make a hole in the center, forming the classic wreath shape—damp fingers really help here!

Step 5: Decorate and Chill

Dot the wreaths with red hot candies or mini M&M’s to mimic holly berries. Then let them cool completely until firm. It usually takes about 30 minutes. Once set, they hold their shape and taste amazing.

Top Tip

I’ve discovered a couple of little tricks that keep these wreath cookies looking perfect and tasting great every time. These tips helped me avoid sticky messes and soggy textures.

Microwave in Intervals: Heating marshmallows gradually prevents burning and ensures a smoother mix.
Use Gel Food Coloring: It provides vibrant green without watering down your mix or making it runny.
Grease Hands and Tools: This makes shaping the wreaths easier and keeps your fingers from sticking all over the place.
Cool Thoroughly: Don’t rush cooling—letting the cookies firm up before handling keeps them intact and less crumbly.

How to Serve Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe

Christmas Wreath Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always go with classic red candies because they pop against the green, but sometimes I’ve added tiny edible silver balls for extra sparkle. If you’re feeling adventurous, a light dusting of powdered sugar makes them look like frosty wreaths.

Side Dishes

These cookies are a sweet delight with hot cocoa or spiced cider—my go-to combo for cozy winter nights. They also complement a holiday cookie platter filled with gingerbread and sugar cookies beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging them standing upright in a wide glass vase or tied in small bundles with festive ribbon for gift-giving. They make charming edible decorations that guests can admire before digging in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover wreath cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep their crispness. I’ve found they stay fresh for up to a week when sealed well, perfect for nibbling over several days.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until firm, then transferring to a ziplock bag. When you want them, just thaw at room temp—no loss in crunch or flavor.

Reheating

These cookies don’t really need reheating, but if you prefer them a little soft, pop them in the microwave for 5-7 seconds. Be careful—marshmallows get hot quickly!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cereal besides cornflakes?

Absolutely! Crisp rice cereal or even lightly crushed Chex mix works well if you want a different crunch, but cornflakes offer the perfect light, crispy texture I prefer.

What’s the best way to get vibrant green color?

Using gel food coloring is my recommendation because it’s concentrated and doesn’t add extra liquid, so your marshmallow mixture stays thick and easy to work with.

How long do these cookies keep fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and crispy for about 5 to 7 days.

Can children help make this recipe?

Definitely! It’s a fun and safe recipe for kids to help with, especially shaping the wreaths and placing the candies. Just make sure an adult handles the melted marshmallows since they’re very hot.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe has become a ritual I cherish every holiday season. It’s simple, festive, and always brings smiles whether I’m baking alone or with family. I hope you have as much fun making—and eating—these as I do. They truly are a sweet little circle of holiday joy you won’t want to miss.