Crunchy cornflakes, gooey marshmallows, creamy white chocolate, and festive peppermint are melted together to make these super cute Christmas wreath cookies.
The Easiest No-Bake Dessert for the Holidays
Freshly cut pine boughs as you brush by the tree. Cinnamon and cloves gently lollying in a saucepan of hot apple cider. And hot deliciousness baking in the oven.
They’re the smells of Christmas.
Over the years, I’ve made these crunchy Christmas wreath cornflake cookies I don’t know how many times. We’ve always made them with those little red hot berries, but I never did like them (they were just too hard for my taste).
This year I did some updating to the recipe, making it creamier, mintier and chewier with the addition of white chocolate. Just like Mr. Mac says, “I think you’re gonna like them.”
Enjoy!
What’s in This Recipe?
The full recipe, with amounts, can be found in the recipe card below.
- Butter — Helps bind together the peppermint Christmas wreath cookies and keeps them soft and chewy after the marshmallows cool.
- Mini marshmallows — The mini kind will melt more quickly and evenly than regular marshmallows, but use what you’ve got.
- Peppermint extract — Don’t substitute with mint extract, which is a blend of mint oils and tastes like mouthwash to me.
- Green food coloring — Gel or regular may be used.
- White chocolate — Actual white chocolate bars will melt more smoothly than white chocolate chips, but both may be used.
- Cornflakes — Provide a nice crunch. Sub in toasted rice cereal, if desired.
- Cinnamon candies — Use a brand that’s soft and chewy rather than hard and crunchy (I like Hot Tamales). Red mini M&M’s would work too!
How to Make No-Bake Christmas Wreath Cookies
- Melt together the butter and marshmallows. Use a larger pot than you think you’ll need. The extra breathing room will give you some good leverage once the cornflakes go in.
- Add in everything else. Wait to add the cornflakes until last to avoid overmixing and crushing them.
- Shape into Christmas wreaths. I like to grease my hands with a little extra butter to prevent the cornflake mixture from sticking to them. You can make the wreaths a large or small as you want, but I found ¼ cup of the mixture to be perfect for creating a good-sized cookie.
- Decorate. You’ll need to press the chewy cinnamon candies into the cornflake wreaths while they’re still warm so the “berries” can adhere.
- Let cool. The cookies need about an hour to firm up.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below, leave a comment to tell us what you think, and tag me on Instagram @foodiecrush.
No-Bake Christmas Wreath Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter , softened to room temperature
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract
- 2 teaspoons green food coloring
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 4 cups cornflakes (or toasted rice cereal)
- ¼ to ⅓ cup chewy cinnamon candies , cut in half (such as Hot Tamales®)
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet with wax paper. Butter wax paper and set aside.
- In large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt ½ cup butter over medium heat. Add marshmallows and stir continuously until melted, scraping sides of pan so sugar crystals don’t form.
- Turn heat to low. Add peppermint extract and green food coloring and mix well. Add white chocolate chips and stir until melted. Add cereal and mix well until all cereal flakes are well coated.
- Coat hands with some of remaining tablespoon of butter. Take about ¼ cup of cereal mixture and form wreath shapes on wax paper coated baking sheet. Decorate each wreath with 3-6 cinnamon candy halves, cut side down.
- Allow to cool for about an hour before serving. Store in an airtight container in single layers separated by wax paper or on baking sheet covered in plastic wrap for 4-5 days.
Storage Tips
These cornflake Christmas wreaths will last up to 5 days on the counter if stored in an airtight container. Place a piece of wax paper between the layers to prevent the cookies from sticking together. I do not recommend freezing them.
More Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Coconut Snowballs
- No-Bake Cookies (no peanut butter!)
- Milk Bar Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Chewy Ginger Cookies
- Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons
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Theba
I used to make these when I was young and liked the little Red Hots (cinnamon candies). However, another alternative not mentioned yet is red Sixlets candies (chocolate candies with hard candy shell — similar to an M&M but more round in shape).
Tammy
I ran across your recipe for Peppermint Christmas Wreaths.
How do you form the wreaths? Any tips? (I am NO Betty Crocker).
Also, how many wreaths are created?
thank you
sonaly
PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE
This is a before or after dinner mint that packs a lot more than a refreshing feeling after you consume it. This is pure delight for your taste buds.
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Christine (CookTheStory)
I have fond memories of making Christmas wreaths when I was little. Your recipe sounds delicious, and ours never quite looked as good as yours.
Jodie
These look like a cute Christmas treat! Could you tell me where to find the recipe for them? Thanks!
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Catherine
Hi! I’m new to this blog! I LOVE wreath cookies – my fave from childhood. Would love to try your version. Is the recipe posted somewhere? I’m not seeing it here – maybe it’s somewhere obvious and I’m missing it for some reason, but they sure do look delicious.
Thanks!
marla
So cute! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post :)
Aimee @ Simple Bites
Thank so much for the shout out on my edible gifts! I always love your Friday faves. =) Happy Holidays, Heidi!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
I literally can’t stay away from these! I love your spin ♥
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
I love the black and white reference. It’s so odd to think that kids these days will never experience something so simple. This is such a fun update on a classic recipe, love it! And btw, truly so awesome meeting you this weekend. Hope to see you again.
And great meeting you! I hope our paths cross again in the not to distant future. In the meantime, there’s always the blogs to keep us in touch!
Wendy @ AMFT
Love the wreaths….so cute! My kids would go crazy if I made those for them. :)
JJ - 84thand3rd
Eeek I love these little wreaths! Have never seen anything like them, so funny how every family has their classics that others have never seen. Ours is Sicilian Cucidati cookies – it just isn’t Christmas without them :)
Abby
I never did like those little red hots. Any time I need a small red bite for decorating, I use the mini holiday M&Ms flipped upside down. Chocolate > spicy red hots.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Cute little wreaths!
Cassie | Bake Your Day
#5. Love it. Such a great thing to remember this winger. And the bag…yes, the bag!
Becky @ Project Domestication
I love those wreaths, and your updates sound perfect.
Love the link, totally checking out that Instagram card idea. I need to get mine done pronto.
PS – I bought Holiday Cookie Cravings, congrats on such a lovely eCookbook yet again!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
How cute! Love it!
Karista @Karista's Kitchen
These wreaths are just the cutest! Pinned :)
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Your link on #6 is not working! :) I have to see it! :)
LOVE everything!!!!
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Abby@ The Frosted Vegan
These are an awesome departure from santa and reindeer shaped cookies, love them!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
My aunt always makes wreath cookies for the holidays, yours are stunning! And they sound way more delicious too!
Can’t wait for the new mag to come out! I was really hoping to get to Mixed this year, now I’m having the regret that comes from not signing up! Next year!
Have a great day!