Christmas Cornflake Wreaths
These festive no-bake marshmallow treats combine crisp cornflakes with a buttery, chewy green coating and spicy-sweet red cinnamon candy berries. Ready in about 1 hour with 20 minutes of active prep.
Equipment
- 2 baking sheets
- Parchment Paper
- Large saucepan
Ingredients
- 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 c. cornflakes
- Nonstick cooking spray for your hands
- 45 small red cinnamon candies
Instructions
- Cover the surfaces of 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Keep both sheets ready to receive the sticky cereal rings.
- Warm the butter in a large saucepan over low heat, then stir in the mini marshmallows until they lose their shape. The coating should look smooth and melted without browning.
- Blend the green coloring into the melted marshmallow coating. Continue stirring until the color looks uniform, with no pale streaks.
- Take the saucepan off the burner, fold in the cornflakes until coated, and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Look for green-coated flakes that remain recognizable, with a mixture warm enough to shape but comfortable to handle.
- Coat your hands with nonstick cooking spray, portion out 1/3 cup of cereal mixture, and shape it into a log of even thickness. The mixture should hold together without excessive squeezing, and another light spray can help whenever it starts sticking.
- Curve the log into a ring, press its ends together, transfer it to a prepared sheet, and repeat with the remaining mixture. Each wreath should keep an open center and a joined seam that holds.
- Press 3 cinnamon candies onto each ring and leave the wreaths undisturbed until firm, about 15 minutes, before serving. The finished rings should hold their shape when lifted from the parchment.
Notes
Ingredient tip: Measure the cornflakes with a light scoop instead of pressing them down, and open the candy package before heating the butter so you can shape and decorate without delays.
Shaping tip: Wait until the coated cereal feels comfortably warm and tacky before forming the rings. If the mixture is too hot, the wreaths may slump flat; if it stiffens in the pan, warm it briefly over low heat while folding gently.
Texture tip: Keep the stove on low heat and stop heating as soon as the marshmallows melt smoothly, as overheating or using older marshmallows can make the finished wreaths hard.
Storage: Let the wreaths firm completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature in a single layer or with parchment or wax paper between stacked layers.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.