Are you ready to make the best no bake Christmas cookies? Our cornflake wreath cookies use pantry and fridge staples to create beautiful, festive Christmas cookies. They look beautiful, taste amazing and are ready in just twenty minutes! These cookies are the perfect way to spread holiday cheer with neighbors, coworker and teachers.
My grandchildren’s favorite holiday tradition is making Christmas cookies. Their favorite cookie to make is anything that requires decorating. So, I knew I’d have to let them help during recipe testing! The result? Not only did they love helping with the process from start to finish, they also loved how they looked AND tasted! Give the gift of cookies and memories this holiday season.
Content Covered Here
Why We Love Our Cornflake Wreath Cookies
- No bake recipe- we love dessert recipes that require zero baking! Not only does this free up your oven during the busy holiday season but it also makes it easier to include children without the stress of hot ovens. No bake Christmas cookies are the perfect way to get the whole family involved.
- Pantry and kitchen staples- cereal, marshmallows, butter, and food dye are easily found in your local grocery store or often already on hand in your pantry and refrigerator.
- Quick and easy to make- our cornflake wreath cookies recipe is ready in just twenty minutes!
Looking for more festive Christmas recipes? Try our Christmas Punch and Cranberry Brie Bites!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Unsalted Butter– salted butter will do in a pinch.
- Mini marshmallows– if you need to substitute with regular size marshmallows, reduce quantity to 40 marshmallows. They cook down the same as mini marshmallows.
- Vanilla extract– can substitute with peppermint extract for a different flavor cookie.
- Green food coloring– if you use natural food coloring just know that color will not be as vibrant green.
- Cornflakes cereal– use Frosted Flakes, Chex cereal, or Rice Krispies cereal as an alternative, although your wreaths will have a different texture and look- they still will taste great.
- Red cinnamon candies-or red M&Ms, really any red candy will do!
- Cooking spray– or butter an essential ingredient to keep the mixture from sticking to your hands!
Our no bake Christmas cookies look great next to our Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes on a dessert table.
Equipment
- Parchment paper (2-3 sheets)
- 2 Baking Sheets
- Large non-stick pot (for melting marshmallows)
- Silicone spatula or spoon (greased with cooking spray or butter)
How to Make No Bake Cookies With Cornflakes
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spray a spatula and your hands with cooking spray.
- In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter. Add marshmallows and stir constantly until completely smooth. Remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla extract and green food coloring. Start with 10 drops and add more until you reach a vibrant green.
- Add cornflakes to the marshmallow mixture and gently fold until all the flakes are coated. Work quickly because the mixture sets fast!
- Scoop about 1/4 cup of mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. Using greased fingers, shape into a ring with a hole in the center to form a wreath shape.
- Immediately press 3-4 red candies onto each wreath while the mixture is still warm.
- Allow wreaths to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes to 1 hour until firm. Store in an airtight container.
Troubleshooting
- Mixture Is Too Sticky: The two top reasons for a sticky mixture are that you might have melted the marshmallows too long or used too high heat. Next time, pull them off heat as soon as it is smooth.
- Wreaths Won’t Hold Their Shape: The mixture cooled too much before shaping. Reheat briefly and work faster, or make smaller batches, if needed.
- Cornflakes Getting Crushed: Fold the cornflakes in gently and use a larger pot to give yourself room to work without smashing the cereal.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Our top two tips for our no bake cookies with cornflakes: use lots of cooking spray and work quick! Spray cooking spray on your hands and equipment and work quickly to avoid sticking, this recipe sets up fast. Too sticky? Use water on your hands instead of cooking spray.
Recipe FAQs
Why did my green color turn out pale?
Gel food coloring will always give you a more vibrant shade than liquid food coloring. Start with 10 drops and work your way up, you’ll want the mixture darker than you think because it will dilute the color down when you mix in the cereal.
Can I use something besides cinnamon candies for the berries?
Yes! Try mini red m&m candies, red sprinkles, red mini gum drops, or crushed pieces of candy cane.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, ingredients can be doubled, however we don’t recommend assembling the cookies in one large batch. Break it up into smaller batches so that you can work without the cookies setting up on you.
Other Cookie Recipes to Consider…
- Original M&M Cookie Recipe
- Nutter Butter Snowman Cookies
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
- Heart Shaped Cookies
If you tried this Christmas Wreath Cornflake Cookie recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Christmas Wreath Cornflake Cookies (No-Bake)
These no-bake Christmas Wreath Cookies are made with just 6 ingredients and ready in 20 minutes! A fun, easy recipe kids love to help make.
Equipment
- 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
- silicone spatula or spoon - greased with cooking spray or butter
- large non-stick pot - for melting marshmallows
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups mini marshmallows 4 cups mini or 40 regular marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- green food coloring gel works best – about 10-15 drops, adjust for desired shade
- 6 cups cornflakes cereal
- ¼ cup red cinnamon candy Red Hots candies or red mini M&Ms for “berries”
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prep: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spray a large spoon or spatula with cooking spray (very important – this prevents sticking). Set aside.
- Melt Marshmallows: In a large pot (I recommend a non-stick pot) over low heat, melt butter. Add mini-marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat.
- Add Color: Stir in vanilla extract and green food coloring. Start with 10 drops and add more until you reach desired shade of green. You might need as much as two teaspoons of food coloring. Go darker than you'd think- the color will dilute down when you add cornflakes. You'll want to move fast through this process so that the melted marshmallows stay warm.
- Add Cornflakes: Quickly add cornflakes to the marshmallow mixture. Gently fold together with your greased spatula until all cornflakes are evenly coated. Work quickly – the mixture sets very fast!
- Shape Wreaths: While mixture is still warm and pliable, scoop about ¼ cup portions onto prepared baking sheets. Using greased fingers (cooking spray or butter) or the back of a greased spoon, shape each portion into a wreath (ring shape) about 3 inches in diameter. Use your thumb to make a hole in the center.
- Add Berries: Immediately press 3-4 red candies onto each wreath to look like holly berries.
- Set: Let wreaths cool and set at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving or storing.
Notes
Kid-Friendly Ideas
Marshmallows: Regular-sized marshmallows melt exactly the same as mini marshmallows. The recipe calls for about 40 regular ones if that’s easier for you.
Vanilla Extract: Peppermint extract adds a nice twist if you want something different. Use 1/2 teaspoon since it’s a little stronger flavor than vanilla.
Cornflakes: Rice Krispies cereal works beautifully and creates a similar texture. Some people prefer them since they’re less likely to get soggy if the wreaths sit out. Frosted Flakes will also work.
Red Candies: Cut up dried cranberries, mini red jelly beans, crushed candy cane, or even small pieces of red licorice all work as “berries.” Pick whatever your family likes best. Troubleshooting Mixture Is Too Sticky: You might have melted the marshmallows too long or used high heat. Next time, pull them off heat as soon as they’re smooth.
Wreaths Won’t Hold Their Shape: The mixture cooled too much before shaping. Reheat briefly and work faster, or make smaller batches if needed.
Cornflakes Getting Crushed: Fold more gently and use a larger pot to give yourself room to work without smashing everything. Storage These keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. They don’t freeze well since the cornflakes get soggy when thawed.
- Adding food coloring (supervised)
- Folding in cornflakes (supervised, gentle hands!)
- Shaping wreaths (greased hands essential)
- Adding red candies (yum!)
- Note: Kids should NOT help with stovetop melting – adult only.
- Spray your hands, spoon, and spatula multiple times while working. This marshmallow mixture is incredibly sticky, and adequate greasing makes the whole process easier.
- Keep the heat on low and stir constantly. High heat can make marshmallows seize up or burn on the bottom. When the mixture looks smooth and glossy, it’s ready.
- Gel food coloring gives you vibrant green without thinning the mixture. Liquid food coloring works but requires more drops and can make the mixture slightly looser. Add color gradually since you can always add more but can’t take it away.
- Fold gently to avoid crushing all the cornflakes into powder. Some breakage is normal, but you want to keep those flakes mostly intact for texture.
- Work with portions while they’re still warm but not scalding hot. If they cool too much, they won’t hold their wreath shape. Press firmly but gently when creating the center hole.
Marshmallows: Regular-sized marshmallows melt exactly the same as mini marshmallows. The recipe calls for about 40 regular ones if that’s easier for you.
Vanilla Extract: Peppermint extract adds a nice twist if you want something different. Use 1/2 teaspoon since it’s a little stronger flavor than vanilla.
Cornflakes: Rice Krispies cereal works beautifully and creates a similar texture. Some people prefer them since they’re less likely to get soggy if the wreaths sit out. Frosted Flakes will also work.
Red Candies: Cut up dried cranberries, mini red jelly beans, crushed candy cane, or even small pieces of red licorice all work as “berries.” Pick whatever your family likes best. Troubleshooting Mixture Is Too Sticky: You might have melted the marshmallows too long or used high heat. Next time, pull them off heat as soon as they’re smooth.
Wreaths Won’t Hold Their Shape: The mixture cooled too much before shaping. Reheat briefly and work faster, or make smaller batches if needed.
Cornflakes Getting Crushed: Fold more gently and use a larger pot to give yourself room to work without smashing everything. Storage These keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. They don’t freeze well since the cornflakes get soggy when thawed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 204IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 2mg
Save This Recipe!
Enter your email below, and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.
Leave a Reply