Frosted Holiday Rings: Glazed Spiced Wreath Delights:

A Sweet Start to the Season

I have made these Frosted Holiday Rings for years. My grandkids call them “wreath cookies.” They love to help place the little red candies.

It is a simple recipe. It fills the whole kitchen with a sweet smell. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It feels like the holidays have truly begun.

The Magic of Marshmallows

Melting marshmallows is the most important step. You must stir and stir. It keeps everything from sticking to the pot.

One year, I got a phone call and forgot to stir. I ended up with a sticky, burnt mess. I still laugh at that kitchen mistake. This matters because patience in the kitchen makes everything taste better.

Getting Your Hands Dirty

Buttering your fingers is the best part. It lets you shape the wreaths without getting too sticky. It is a fun, messy job for little hands.

You have to work fast before the mixture gets firm. What is your favorite part of baking? Is it mixing, shaping, or maybe just tasting?

A Pop of Color and Flavor

The green color makes these treats so cheerful. The red cinnamon candies look like little berries. They add a tiny bit of spicy flavor too.

Fun fact: The red cinnamon candies are called “cinnamon imperials.” They are perfect for this time of year. This matters because we eat with our eyes first. A pretty treat just tastes happier.

Your Turn in the Kitchen

Now it is your turn to try. This recipe is a wonderful one to make with family. It creates sweet memories along with sweet treats.

Will you use the red candies or try something different? Tell me, what is your favorite holiday cookie to bake? I would love to hear your family’s traditions.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
corn flakes	8 cups	I used Kellogg’s brand
unsalted butter	1 cup	room temperature
unsalted butter	1 tablespoon
marshmallows	16 ounces	a large bag
vanilla extract	1 ½ teaspoons	I used McCormick brand
green liquid food coloring	1 teaspoon
cinnamon imperial candies	⅛ cup	48 pieces

Making Our Frosted Holiday Rings

Hello, my dear! Let’s make some fun holiday treats. These little wreaths are so cheerful. I love how the green color shines.

My grandkids call these our “magic cornflake cookies.” They are easy and so much fun. We get to use our hands. It’s a happy, messy time.

• Step 1: First, let’s get our pans ready. Line two big cookie sheets with parchment paper. This keeps our wreaths from sticking. I learned that the hard way once. (A hard-learned tip: Use parchment paper or they will stick for sure!)
• Step 2: Now, we melt the butter and marshmallows. Use a big pot on medium-low heat. You must stir and stir. It takes a few minutes. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It reminds me of sweet clouds.
• Step 3: Turn off the heat. Stir in the vanilla and green food coloring. Watch the white turn into a lovely green. It’s like magic in the pot. Be careful, the steam can be hot.
• Step 4: Gently fold in the cornflakes. Coat every single piece with the green goo. Be gentle so they don’t get too crushed. I still laugh at the time I got more on me than in the bowl!
• Step 5: Scoop the mixture onto your pans. Use a greased half-cup measure. Leave space between them. You should get about six per sheet. What’s your favorite part of holiday baking? Share below!
• Step 6: This is the fun part! Butter your fingertips well. Quickly poke a hole in each mound to make a wreath. The marshmallow can get sticky. Work fast before it sets.
• Step 7: Time to decorate! Press four red candies onto each wreath. They look like little berries. You can add more if you like. Make them your own.
• Step 8: Finally, let the wreaths chill in the fridge for one hour. This helps them get firm. Then you can arrange them on a pretty plate. They always look so festive.

Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Dessert, Snack

Your Creative Twists

You can change this recipe in so many ways. It’s fun to try new things. Here are a few ideas I love.

• Peppermint Sparkle: Use red food coloring instead. Then use crushed peppermint candies for the berries. It tastes so fresh and cool.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Make the wreaths plain, without color. After they chill, drizzle them with melted chocolate. My grandson adores this version.
• Fruity Fun: Use colorful fruit-flavored marshmallows. You won’t need any food coloring. The wreaths will be a pretty pink or blue. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Wreath Delights

These treats are wonderful all on their own. But you can make them extra special. I like to put them on a big platter. Add some real pine branches around the plate. It looks so pretty.

For a cozy drink, hot cocoa is the best match. The chocolate and sweet marshmallow are perfect together. For the grown-ups, a sweet cream sherry is a nice holiday sip. It’s a warm and happy combination. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Wreath Delights Fresh

These wreath cookies are best enjoyed the day you make them. But you can store them for later. Just put them in a single layer in an airtight container. They will stay good on the counter for two days.

I do not recommend freezing them. The cornflakes can get soggy when they thaw. I learned this the hard way one busy Christmas. My wreaths lost their lovely crunch.

You can make the marshmallow mixture ahead of time. Just keep it warm and soft in a slow cooker on low. This lets you scoop all your wreaths at once. Batch cooking saves time during the busy holidays.

This matters because good food should bring joy, not stress. A little planning makes holiday cooking so much easier. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Fixing Common Wreath Problems

Is your marshmallow mixture sticking to everything? Make sure to grease your measuring cup and your hands well. I use that extra tablespoon of butter for my fingers. It makes shaping the wreaths so much easier.

Are your wreaths falling apart as you shape them? You must work quickly. The marshmallow sets fast as it cools. I remember my first batch looked more like little green haystacks.

Is the green color not bright enough? Add a few more drops of food coloring. Mix it in completely before adding the cornflakes. This ensures every piece gets a festive color.

Fixing these small issues builds your confidence in the kitchen. It also makes your treats look as wonderful as they taste. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Wreath Cookie Questions

Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use your favorite gluten-free corn flakes. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Q: Can I make them ahead? A: You can make them a day before. Store them in that airtight container I mentioned.

Q: What if I don’t have red candies? A: Use red M&M’s or dried cranberries instead. They will look just as pretty.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Of course. Just cut all the ingredients in half. You will get about six wreaths.

Q: Any other fun tips? A: Try a drop of peppermint extract instead of vanilla. It makes your kitchen smell like a candy cane factory! Which tip will you try first?

Share Your Holiday Kitchen Creations

I hope you have fun making these festive treats. Cooking is about making sweet memories with loved ones. I love seeing your kitchen adventures.

Please share a picture of your beautiful wreath cookies. I would be so happy to see them. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Lena Morales.