If you’re hunting for a festive, fun, and super tasty holiday treat, you’re going to absolutely love this Holiday Cornflake Wreaths Recipe. This recipe is one of those gems that bring a pop of Christmas cheer straight to your kitchen with minimal fuss, and the best part? Everyone from kids to adults will be reaching for seconds. Keep reading—I’ll walk you through everything you need to make these charming, crunchy little wreaths that are perfect for the holidays or any winter celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive & Fun: These wreaths bring a bright, holiday vibe that makes them perfect for Christmas parties and kid’s snacks.
- Easy to Make: Minimal ingredients and simple steps, so even if you’re pressed for time, you’ll have these ready in no time.
- Kid-Approved: My family goes crazy for these, and kids love helping shape and decorate the wreaths.
- Versatile Treat: You can easily customize with different candies or colors, making it a fun holiday tradition to tweak as you like.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully—the butter and marshmallows create a sweet, sticky base that holds the cornflakes together perfectly. You’ll want to use fresh, crispy cornflakes for the best texture, and I always recommend using gel food coloring because it gives a richer, more vibrant color without watering down the mix.
- Salted butter: It adds richness and a little saltiness that balances the sweetness.
- Mini marshmallows: They melt easily and make the wreaths sticky enough to hold their shape without being too gooey.
- Green gel food coloring: Gel is my go-to for bright, true green color without changing the texture.
- Cornflakes: Crisp and crunchy, they give the wreath a delightful texture contrast.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Spraying your hands helps with shaping the wreaths without sticking.
- Small red cinnamon candies: Perfect for decorating—like bright little berries on your wreaths.
Variations
I’ve played around with this Holiday Cornflake Wreaths Recipe a lot, and it’s fun to tweak it depending on your mood or what you have in your pantry. Don’t be shy—making it your own is part of the joy!
- Chocolate Drizzle: I once drizzled melted white or dark chocolate over the wreaths, and it took them to the next level for a holiday party.
- Nut Allergies: If you’re worried about allergens, just swap the cinnamon candies for small dried cranberries or red M&Ms.
- Flavor Variations: Add some peppermint extract to the marshmallow melt for a festive twist my friends rave about.
- Gluten-Free: Cornflakes are naturally gluten-free but double-check your brand to avoid cross-contamination for sensitive eaters.
How to Make Holiday Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Baking Sheets
Start by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. Trust me, this makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your wreaths perfectly shaped while they set. Nothing worse than warm marshmallow sticky mess sticking to the pan!
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
Over low heat, melt 4 tablespoons of salted butter slowly to avoid browning it. Then toss in the entire 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes smooth and gooey. It’s important to keep the heat low here so the marshmallows don’t scorch. Once melted, add your green gel food coloring in drops, stirring until the color is evenly blended—I learned that adding it little by little helps you get the perfect shade.
Step 3: Combine Cornflakes and Marshmallow Mixture
Remove the pan from heat before folding in 5 cups of cornflakes. Stir gently so every flake is coated but isn’t crushed. This step decides the texture, and you want your wreaths crispy, not soggy or mushy. Let the mixture cool just enough so it’s safe to touch but still warm and pliable.
Step 4: Shape Your Wreaths
Spray your hands lightly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking—it makes all the difference! Take about 1/3 cup of the cornflake mixture and roll it into a log, about 5 inches long. Join the ends gently to form a wreath shape and place it on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat until you’ve used all the mixture. This shaping is so satisfying, and my kids love helping me out here.
Step 5: Decorate and Set
Last but not least, decorate each wreath with three small red cinnamon candies to mimic festive holly berries. It’s a simple touch that turns these treats into charming holiday stars. Let them sit for about 15 minutes to firm up and you’re ready to serve!
Pro Tips for Making Holiday Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
- Low and Slow Melting: I learned that melting butter and marshmallows on very low heat prevents burning and keeps things silky smooth.
- Gel Food Coloring for Brightness: Using gel food coloring is a game-changer—it gives a concentrated color without thinning the mixture.
- Nonstick Hands are Key: Spraying your hands with cooking spray before shaping stops the mixture from sticking and saves you from a gooey mess.
- Cooling Time Patience: Waiting the full 15 minutes for the wreaths to set helps them keep their shape and crunch when bitten into.
How to Serve Holiday Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
Garnishes
I stick to the classic small red cinnamon candies because they look exactly like cranberry holly berries and add a little spicy snap. Sometimes, I throw in a few mini edible glitter dustings or tiny silver dragées when I want these wreaths to sparkle on dessert tables—it’s a crowd-pleaser every time!
Side Dishes
These wreaths pair beautifully with warm cups of cocoa or mulled cider—the sweetness and spice from the drink balance the sugar in the treats. For holiday brunches, I serve these alongside a simple fruit salad and some fluffy cinnamon pancakes to keep the morning light and cheerful.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, I packaged individual wreaths in cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons and little name tags—it made for perfect party favors. Another time, I laid them out on a big holiday platter with sprigs of fresh holly and pine branches for an elegant centerpiece that guests loved snapping photos of!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
My go-to method is storing leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and crisp for a good 3 to 4 days, so you can enjoy them well after your holiday festivities.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these wreaths wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in freezer bags, and they thaw well at room temperature. Just be sure to let them come back to room temp fully so they regain their crunch before serving.
Reheating
No reheating needed for these treats! They’re best enjoyed fresh or fully cooled. If they seem a little soft after storage, letting them air out for 10 minutes usually revives their crisp texture perfectly.
FAQs
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Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel food coloring?
You absolutely can, but gel food coloring is concentrated and gives a brighter, more vivid green without making the marshmallow mixture runnier or affecting its texture. If you use liquid food coloring, add it sparingly to avoid thinning the mixture.
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What if I don’t have cinnamon candies for decoration?
No worries! You can substitute small red candies, like red M&Ms or even dried cranberries. Just pick something small and pretty that looks like little berries to keep the festive wreath vibe.
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How do I keep the wreaths from getting soggy?
Make sure your cornflakes are fresh and crispy to start with, and avoid making the marshmallow mixture too hot or too wet. Once shaped, let the wreaths set fully before storing them, and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature to preserve crunch.
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Can kids help make these Holiday Cornflake Wreaths?
Definitely! This recipe is kid-friendly and shaping the wreaths is a fun hands-on activity. Just supervise when melting marshmallows and handling hot mixture, then let the kids decorate as much as they want.
Final Thoughts
This Holiday Cornflake Wreaths Recipe has a special place in my heart because it’s more than just a sweet treat—it’s a reminder of holiday kitchen moments filled with laughter and kid-sized fingers shaping wreaths side by side. I absolutely love how these wreaths turn out: crunchy, sweet, and perfectly festive. If you want a simple, delightful dessert or party favor this season, give this recipe a go—you’ll enjoy the process as much as the final bite, I promise.
Print
Holiday 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
These festive Cornflake Wreaths are a delightful Christmas treat combining crispy cornflakes and gooey marshmallows, tinted green for a holiday look and adorned with red cinnamon candies to mimic traditional wreath decorations. Easy to make and perfect for holiday parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Wreath Base
- 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
- Nonstick cooking spray, for your hands
- 45 small red cinnamon candies
Instructions
- Prepare the baking sheets: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy clean-up.
- Melt and mix marshmallows: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until they are completely melted and smooth. Stir in the green food coloring evenly to tint the mixture festive green. Remove the saucepan from heat.
- Combine with cornflakes: Add the cornflakes to the melted marshmallow mixture, gently stirring until the cereal is well coated with the mixture. Let it cool slightly to make it easier to handle.
- Shape the wreaths: Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Take about 1/3 cup of the cornflake mixture and form it into an even log shape. Connect the ends of the log to form a circular wreath. Place it onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining mixture.
- Decorate and set: Place 3 small red cinnamon candies evenly spaced on each wreath to mimic holly berries. Let the wreaths sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes or until firm and set before serving.
Notes
- Spraying your hands with nonstick spray is crucial to prevent the marshmallow mixture from sticking when shaping the wreaths.
- If you do not have green gel food coloring, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of water-based green food coloring, but the color may be less vibrant.
- These wreaths are best served the same day for optimal texture but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure your cornflakes are certified gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wreath
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
