If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely delightful treat to make this holiday season, then you’re going to adore this Christmas Cornflake Wreaths Recipe. It’s one of those recipes that instantly brings a smile, whether you’re making it with kids, serving it at a party, or just snacking on it while sipping hot cocoa. I love how these wreaths turn out—they’re crunchy, sweet, and so charmingly festive. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to create these little edible wreaths that my family goes crazy for every Christmas!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple & Kid-Friendly: Mixing and shaping require no fancy equipment, so kids love joining in the fun.
- Festive & Fun to Decorate: The bright green cornflake mix and red cinnamon candies make these wreaths instantly recognizable and adorable.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Treat: You can whip these up in under an hour and they hold up well, great for holiday parties or gifting.
- Crunchy & Chewy Texture: The combo of marshmallow-softness and cornflake crunch is irresistible once you try it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Cornflake Wreaths Recipe uses simple pantry staples that come together magically. The ingredients create this perfect mix of chewy and crunchy with a pop of festive color thanks to the food coloring and cinnamon candies.
- Salted butter: Adds richness and helps melt the marshmallows smoothly; salted butter balances the sweetness nicely.
- Mini marshmallows: The glue that holds everything together—it melts into a gooey delicious binder.
- Green gel food coloring: Use gel for vibrant color without altering the texture; if you only have liquid, water-based is fine but use sparingly.
- Cornflakes: The crunchy base; choose plain cornflakes without added sugar for best balance.
- Nonstick cooking spray: A little spray on your hands makes shaping so much easier and less sticky.
- Red cinnamon candies: These act as the classic “berries” on the wreath—love the pop of red and a hint of cinnamon spice.
Variations
One of the things I love most about this Christmas Cornflake Wreaths Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on your taste and what you have on hand. You can get creative with colors, flavors, and decorations—make it truly your own festive project.
- White chocolate drizzle: I once drizzled melted white chocolate over the wreaths for extra sweetness and it looked like frosting on a real wreath.
- Different colors: Tried adding red or gold food coloring for a bit of variety; kids love mixing colors and seeing what pops!
- Nut-free or allergy-friendly: This recipe is naturally nut-free; just be sure to check your marshmallows and candies if allergies are a concern.
- Gluten-free: Cornflakes are often gluten-free, but double check the label to make sure.
- Decorations swap: Cranberries or red M&M’s work well instead of cinnamon candies if you want different flavors.
How to Make Christmas Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Baking Sheets
Start by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper—that’s where your wreaths will cool and firm up. Having everything ready ahead makes the process smooth and prevents any sticky situations. Trust me, I learned this the hard way the first time I made these!
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows with Color
Over low heat, melt the butter in a large saucepan. Once melted, add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until they’re completely melted and smooth. This step is key for that perfect sticky-but-not-too-messy texture. Then add your green gel food coloring and stir well until the whole mixture is evenly green. The vibrant color is what makes these wreaths pop festive charm!
Step 3: Stir in the Cornflakes Gently
Remove the pan from heat and gently fold in the cornflakes, ensuring each flake is coated without crushing them. This helps keep the crunch intact. Let the mixture cool slightly, so it becomes easier to handle but still sticky enough to shape—about 5 minutes usually does the trick.
Step 4: Shape Your Wreaths
Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray to keep the mixture from sticking. Take about 1/3 cup of the mixture and roll it into a log, then gently join the ends to form a wreath shape. Place the wreaths on your parchment-lined baking sheets. This step is where you can have fun getting those wreaths just right! If the mixture gets too sticky, a quick spritz on your hands is a lifesaver.
Step 5: Add “Berries” and Let Set
Decorate each wreath with 3 red cinnamon candies — they’re like the berries on the wreath and add a little spicy sweetness. Let the wreaths sit for about 15 minutes until they’re firm to the touch, and voilà—you’ve got edible holiday decor that tastes as good as it looks.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
- Use Gel Food Coloring: I discovered gel coloring gives a much richer green without softening the texture like liquid food coloring can.
- Nonstick Spray is Key: Don’t skip spraying your hands, or shaping the wreaths will be super frustrating.
- Cool Marshmallow Mixture Slightly: If the mix is too hot, it’s hard to shape; just wait a few minutes off the heat so it’s pliable.
- Don’t Overmix Cornflakes: Stir gently to keep the crunch intact for the best texture contrast.
How to Serve Christmas Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
Garnishes
While the red cinnamon candies are classic and delicious, I love adding a little powdered sugar dusting just before serving to give these wreaths a light “snow-kissed” look. Sometimes a few small sprigs of fresh rosemary on the serving platter adds a lovely pine-y aroma that complements the treat beautifully.
Side Dishes
These wreaths pair wonderfully with an assortment of holiday drinks—think hot chocolate with whipped cream or a cozy mug of mulled cider. For a party spread, place alongside other Christmas cookies, nuts, and cheeses to mix sweet and savory flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
I like arranging the wreaths on a festive plate lined with evergreen branches or even placing each wreath in a mini cupcake liner for an elegant touch. For gifting, wrap a few wreaths in clear cellophane with a red ribbon and a personalized tag—a simple, homemade gift that always delights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover wreaths in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keeping them somewhere cool and dry helps maintain their crunch and prevents the marshmallow from getting too sticky.
Freezing
In my experience, freezing doesn’t always work well with these wreaths because the marshmallow texture can change and harden. I recommend making them fresh or storing for short-term at room temp for best taste and texture.
Reheating
I don’t usually reheat these wreaths because I love their original chewy crunch. If they do get a little stale, sitting them out at room temperature for a short while can help soften them slightly, but warming tends to melt the marshmallow and affect texture.
FAQs
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Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
You can, but mini marshmallows melt more evenly and quickly, which helps keep the texture smooth and easy to work with. If using regular marshmallows, chop them into smaller pieces for best results.
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What if I don’t have green food coloring?
You can skip the coloring if you want; the wreaths will look more neutral but will taste just the same. Alternatively, natural green colorings or matcha powder can be experimented with, though the color might be less vibrant.
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How do I prevent the cornflake mixture from sticking to my hands?
Spraying your hands lightly with nonstick cooking spray before shaping is the secret. Also, working quickly and not letting the mixture cool too much helps it stay pliable without sticking too badly.
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Can I make these wreaths ahead of time for a party?
Yes! These wreaths are wonderful for making a day ahead. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature and decorate just before serving if you want them extra fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cornflake Wreaths Recipe has become a staple in my holiday traditions—there’s something so joyful about rolling those green wreaths together and watching everyone light up when they see (and taste!) them. It’s an easy recipe that delivers festive fun and flavor without any fuss, making it perfect for virtually anyone, no matter your baking skill level. I truly hope you give it a try and let it bring some extra sparkle to your holiday celebrations. Trust me, once you make them, they’ll be on your Christmas must-do list forever!
Print
Christmas Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 15 wreaths
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the holidays with these festive Cornflake Wreaths, a delightful no-bake treat combining buttery, marshmallow-coated cornflakes tinted green and adorned with red cinnamon candies to resemble Christmas wreaths. Perfect for parties, gifting, or a fun family activity.
Ingredients
Wreath Mixture
- 4 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 (10-oz.) package mini marshmallows
- 7 drops green gel food coloring or 1 tsp water-based green food coloring
- 5 cups cornflakes
Decoration
- 45 small red cinnamon candies
- Nonstick cooking spray, for your hands
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the wreaths from sticking and allow easy cooling.
- Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until they are fully melted and smooth.
- Add Color and Cornflakes: Stir in the green food coloring until the mixture is evenly colored. Remove the pan from heat and immediately add the cornflakes, stirring gently until each flake is well coated with the marshmallow mixture. Let the mixture cool slightly to a manageable temperature.
- Shape the Wreaths: Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Take about 1/3 cup of the cornflake mixture and shape it into an even log. Curve and join the ends of the log together to form a wreath shape. Place each wreath on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Decorate the Wreaths: Press three small red cinnamon candies evenly around the top of each wreath to mimic holiday berries.
- Set and Serve: Let the wreaths sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes or until firm and set. Serve and enjoy your festive cornflake wreaths!
Notes
- Using nonstick cooking spray on your hands is essential to prevent the sticky mixture from adhering to your skin during shaping.
- For a stronger green color, use gel food coloring; water-based coloring may produce a lighter green.
- These wreaths store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- You can substitute cornflakes with other similar crispy cereals if cornflakes are unavailable.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure your cornflakes and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wreath
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
