If you’re on the hunt for a festive, fun, and utterly delicious holiday treat, you’ve got to try this Green Marshmallow Cornflake Wreaths Recipe. I absolutely love how simple it is to whip up, and trust me, the kids (and grown-ups too!) go crazy for these crunchy, sweet, little wreaths. They’re festive, colorful, and just the right balance between chewy marshmallow and crisp cornflakes. Stick around, because I’m sharing all my best tips to help you nail this treat every single time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick & Easy: You’ll have these wreaths ready in about 15 minutes — perfect for last-minute holiday prep.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Shaping the wreaths is hands-on and playful, making it a great activity to involve the kiddos.
- Festive & Customizable: The bright green marshmallow mix with the red cinnamon candies is classic Christmas cheer on a plate.
- Crunch Meets Chew: The texture combo of crispy cornflakes and gooey marshmallow is absolutely addictive.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Green Marshmallow Cornflake Wreaths Recipe calls for just a handful of pantry staples that combine beautifully for maximum flavor and texture. Here’s the scoop on why each ingredient plays a role and tips on what to look for.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps melt the marshmallows smoothly—using salted variety gives a nice balance of sweet and savory.
- Mini Marshmallows: The glue that holds everything together; mini ones melt faster and distribute more evenly.
- Vanilla Extract: Boosts flavor depth—it’s a small addition that really makes a difference.
- Green Food Coloring: The star for creating that festive green hue; gel or liquid works fine, just add a bit more if you want a deeper shade.
- Cornflakes: The classic crunchy base; use plain cornflakes for the best texture and flavor.
- Cinnamon Imperials (Red Hots) or Mini M&M’s: Those little red candies bring the perfect pop of color and a hint of spice or chocolate to finish off your wreaths.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Green Marshmallow Cornflake Wreaths Recipe is how easy it is to personalize! You can tweak colors, candies, or even mix-ins to suit your holiday vibe or dietary needs.
- Color Variations: I’ve played around with blue or red food coloring to match different themes, and it’s just as festive and fun.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap cornflakes for gluten-free crispy cereal — just as crunchy and safe for those with sensitivities.
- Chocolate Lovers: Adding mini chocolate chips into the mix or using mini M&M’s instead of cinnamon imperials adds a fun twist that my kids adore.
- Spicy Kick: For a grown-up flair, I like adding a sprinkle of cayenne or chili powder into the melted marshmallow mixture to balance the sweetness with a little heat.
How to Make Green Marshmallow Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows
Start by lining a baking sheet or clean counter with parchment paper — this makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your wreaths from sticking. Melt ½ cup salted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, toss in 10 ounces of mini marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth. This part goes quickly, so keep an eye on it and stir to prevent scorching.
Step 2: Add Flavor and Color
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in ½ teaspoon vanilla extract along with ½ teaspoon green food coloring. I discovered that adding the food coloring at this stage helps the color spread evenly without dulling. If you want a brighter green, feel free to add a little extra color until you get your perfect shade.
Step 3: Fold in the Cornflakes
Now carefully fold in 5 to 6 cups of cornflakes. Use a spatula to gently mix everything together, making sure every flake is beautifully coated but not smashed. You’ll notice the marshmallow mixture starts to firm up quickly, so work briskly but gently! Getting good coverage here is key for maintaining that ideal crunch.
Step 4: Shape the Wreaths
Butter your hands lightly — this is a game-changer to keep the sticky marshmallow off your fingers. Scoop about 2-inch spoonfuls onto the parchment paper, then shape each mound into a little wreath ring with a hole in the middle. I like to gently press the center with my thumb to open up the wreath shape. It takes just a few minutes and feels so satisfying!
Step 5: Decorate and Store
Place 3 cinnamon imperials on one side of each wreath to mimic holly berries — this little red accent brings the whole festive look together. If you’re using mini M&M’s, you can get creative with patterns or colors. Store your wreaths in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days (if they last that long!).
Pro Tips for Making Green Marshmallow Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
- Butter Your Hands Well: This tip saves so much frustration and keeps wreaths neat because marshmallows can get super sticky.
- Use Fresh Mini Marshmallows: Older marshmallows can be dry and won’t melt as nicely, so fresh packages give better results.
- Don’t Overmix Cornflakes: Stir gently to avoid crushing the cornflakes and keep them crunchy.
- Shape Quickly Before Setting: Marshmallow will start to firm up fast; shape the wreaths as soon as the mixture is manageable to avoid cracking.
How to Serve Green Marshmallow Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
Garnishes
I love keeping it classic with cinnamon imperials because their bright red color really pops against the green. But on occasion, I’ll swap in mini M&M’s or even edible gold stars for a bit of sparkle. Fresh rosemary sprigs tucked beneath each wreath on a serving tray also add a lovely natural touch and pick up that pine tree vibe.
Side Dishes
These wreaths shine as a standalone treat, but I’ve also enjoyed pairing them with a warm batch of hot cocoa or a platter of holiday cookies for a cozy dessert table. They’re light on the stomach but still satisfy that sweet craving without feeling too heavy.
Creative Ways to Present
For the holidays, I like arranging these wreaths on a large white platter with sprigs of holly or evergreen tucked in between for a festive display. Another fun idea is to tie a pretty ribbon or twine around each wreath and gift them as edible favors. My friends always get a kick out of receiving these colorful little delights!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover wreaths in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them nice and chewy without getting stale. Just make sure the container is well sealed to avoid moisture making the cornflakes soggy. They usually last about 5 days before the texture starts to change.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these wreaths wrapped individually in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe container. When thawed at room temp, they retain their flavor but the texture softens slightly. So freezing is an option if you want to prep way ahead, but I recommend eating them fresh for the best crispness.
Reheating
Since these are no-bake treats, reheating isn’t necessary—or really recommended. If you’re craving a bit of extra softness, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave can soften the marshmallow, but be careful not to melt everything altogether!
FAQs
-
Can I make this Green Marshmallow Cornflake Wreaths Recipe without food coloring?
Absolutely! The food coloring is purely for festive effect and doesn’t affect flavor. If you prefer a natural look or don’t have green food coloring on hand, just skip it and enjoy the classic white marshmallow version.
-
What’s the best way to store these wreaths so they stay fresh?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, away from humidity. This prevents the cornflakes from turning soggy and keeps the marshmallow chewy. Avoid storing in the fridge as condensation can affect texture.
-
Can I substitute other cereals for cornflakes?
Definitely! Crisp rice cereal or gluten-free corn cereal works well too. Just pick a cereal that’s light and crunchy so your wreaths keep a nice texture.
-
How do I prevent the marshmallow mixture from getting too sticky during shaping?
Butter your hands generously before shaping each wreath. This simple trick keeps the marshmallow from sticking to your fingers, making it easier to achieve a neat wreath shape.
Final Thoughts
This Green Marshmallow Cornflake Wreaths Recipe is one of those holiday classics that never fails to bring smiles and festive cheer to the table. I remember the first time I made these with my kids — the excitement as they shaped their own wreaths was priceless, and the joy of sharing sweet homemade treats is what makes this time of year so special. If you’re looking for a quick, colorful, and crowd-pleasing dessert, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this recipe a go. You’ll be making these year after year, I promise!
Print
Green Marshmallow Cornflake Wreaths Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 wreaths
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully festive Cornflake Wreaths are a quick and easy holiday treat made with buttery marshmallow-coated cornflakes shaped into charming wreaths and decorated with cinnamon candies. Perfect for Christmas celebrations, these no-bake snacks come together in just minutes and bring a vibrant, sweet touch to your holiday dessert table.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon green food coloring (add more for deeper color)
Dry Ingredients
- 5-6 cups cornflakes
- 72 cinnamon imperials (red hots) or mini M&M’s
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large pan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup salted butter. Once melted, add 10 ounces of mini marshmallows and stir continuously until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
- Add Flavor and Color: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon green food coloring. Mix until the color is consistent, adding more food coloring if you want a deeper green hue.
- Combine with Cornflakes: Add 5-6 cups of cornflakes to the melted marshmallow mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until all cornflakes are evenly coated with the green marshmallow mixture.
- Form Wreath Shapes: Line a baking dish or countertop with parchment paper. Butter your hands to prevent sticking, then scoop about a 2-inch spoonful of the mixture and shape it into a wreath with a hole in the middle. Place each shaped wreath on the parchment paper.
- Decorate Wreaths: Place 3 cinnamon imperials on one corner of each wreath to resemble festive berries. Let the wreaths cool and set completely.
- Store: Once set, store the wreaths in a covered container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Notes
- These wreaths are a simple, no-bake holiday treat perfect for kids and last-minute holiday parties.
- Butter your hands each time before shaping wreaths to prevent sticking.
- Red cinnamon imperials add a classic holiday touch, but mini M&M’s can be used as a colorful alternative.
- You can adjust the food coloring intensity to get the perfect festive green shade.
- Store treat in an airtight container to maintain freshness and chewiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wreath
- Calories: 203 kcal
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 165 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
