These no-bake cornflake wreaths are one of my favorite holiday crafts to make with my kids–and they’re totally edible! Made with just 6 easy ingredients, these cornflake Christmas wreaths are simple, festive, and perfect for gifting. The marshmallow coating keeps the cereal soft and chewy, while a few RedHot candies add a classic holly accent. These marshmallow cornflake wreaths taste incredible and bring holiday cheer to any kitchen.
Christmas Cornflake Wreath Cookies
My green cornflake wreaths are similar to Rice Krispie treats, but I use Corn Flakes instead of Rice Krispies for a crispier texture and a true wreath-like look. I added a bit of food coloring to make these cornflake cookies extra festive, then shaped them into wreaths and decorated them with RedHot candies to resemble holly berries.
Corn syrup is a key ingredient in these marshmallow cornflake wreaths for a number of reasons. It prevents crystallization, keeps marshmallows smooth, adds chewiness, and helps the cereal stick together. If you skip it, the wreaths may be more fragile and less pliable. Honey or maple syrup works as a swap, or add another ¼ cup of marshmallows to compensate.
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Prevent Sticky Fingers for Perfect Wreaths
For perfectly shaped and long-lasting cornflake wreath cookies, lightly grease your hands with nonstick baking spray before mixing and shaping. This simple step prevents the sticky marshmallow from adhering to your fingers, giving you smoother, more uniform wreaths and reducing breakage. It also makes it easier to work with kids safely, keeping the process fun and frustration-free.
Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 4 cups mini marshmallows *
- 3½ tablespoons salted butter
- 2 teaspoons corn syrup **
- Green food coloring
- 4 cups Corn Flakes cereal ***
- ½ cup RedHot candies ****
Instructions
- Place the mini marshmallows into a large, microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring each time, until completely melted. This will take about 2-3 minutes.4 cups mini marshmallows
- Add the butter and corn syrup, and stir until combined.3½ tablespoons salted butter, 2 teaspoons corn syrup
- Add a few drops of green food coloring and mix until the marshmallows are all green.Green food coloring
- Place the cornflakes into a large mixing bowl. Spoon the marshmallow mixture over the cornflakes. Mix well until the cornflakes are completely coated with the marshmallow mixture. This may take several minutes.4 cups Corn Flakes cereal
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray your hands with baking spray for ease of shaping.
- Separate the cornflakes into 8 balls. Press a finger into the center of each ball to form the middle of each wreath and shape each wreath.
- Place 3 Red Hot candies onto the top of each wreath. Let set, uncovered for 2 hours to allow the marshmallow to dry before serving.½ cup RedHot candies
Notes
- Make sure to stir the marshmallows well when melting. They will continue to cook so stirring them will ensure that they melt and become smooth.
- Too much marshmallow and butter can make these cornflake wreaths sticky. Also, using marshmallow fluff in place of the marshmallows can make the cookies stickier than usual. To combat this, simply add a bit more cereal!
- Start with a few drops of green food coloring, then add more as needed. The marshmallow mixture darkens slightly as it sets, so go a bit brighter than your target shade. Gel food coloring gives the most vibrant “holiday green.”
- For a more all-natural approach to coloring, I recommend stirring in 2 tablespoons of matcha green tea powder!
- Add Flavor: Stir in ½-1 teaspoon of vanilla, almond, or peppermint extract, or a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice into the melted marshmallows before mixing with the cereal. Avoid adding too much liquid, or the marshmallows may become sticky.
- Incorporating the green marshmallow mixture into the cornflakes may be difficult to do completely with a spoon or spatula. To make it easier, you can spray your clean hands with baking spray and mix it by hand.
- If your wreaths are too sticky to shape, chill the mixture for 2-3 minutes before forming. You can also use a greased cookie cutter (like a donut or circle cutter) to help shape uniform wreaths.
- Easily shape wreaths in a greased donut baking pan!
- Don’t pack the cereal together too tightly when forming the wreaths, or they could turn out hard.
- After forming the wreaths, be sure to let them firm up on a prepared cookie sheet. This will help the cookies stay intact when you go to serve them.
- If gifting, wrap each wreath individually in cellophane to keep fresh and prevent sticking.
How to Make Cornflake Wreaths for Christmas Step-by-Step
Prep: Gather the list of ingredients for this cornflake wreath cookies recipe.
Melt the Marshmallows: Place 4 cups of mini marshmallows into a large, microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until completely melted. This will take about 2-3 minutes. Add 3½ tablespoons of salted butter and 2 teaspoons of corn syrup, and stir until combined. Make sure to stir the marshmallows well when melting. They will continue to cook, so stirring them will ensure that they melt and become smooth.
Color the Marshmallows: Add a few drops of green food coloring and mix until the marshmallows are all green. Start with a few drops of green food coloring, then add more as needed. The marshmallow mixture darkens slightly as it sets, so go a bit brighter than your target shade. At this point, you can add ½-1 teaspoon of your favorite flavoring extract to flavor the cookies, if desired.
Mix in the Cereal: Next, place 4 cups of cornflakes into a large mixing bowl, and spoon the marshmallow mixture over the cornflakes. Mix well until the cornflakes are completely coated with the marshmallow mixture. This may be difficult to do completely with a spatula. To make it easier, you can spray your clean hands with baking spray and mix it by hand.
Shape the Wreaths: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray your hands with baking spray for ease of shaping. Separate the cornflakes into 8 balls. Press a finger into the center of each ball to shape and form the middle of each wreath. Alternatively, you can shape them using cookie cutters as a guide, or place them into a greased donut pan. Take care not to pack the cereal too tightly, or the treats will turn out hard.
Decorate and Set: Place 3 RedHot candies (from ½ cup) onto the top of each wreath. Let them set uncovered for 2 hours. This allows the marshmallow to dry and set before serving.
How to Store
Store leftover cornflake wreaths in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I do not suggest freezing these, as the texture is ruined by freezing and thawing.
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