Q1: Why are my cookies falling apart and not setting up?

The most common culprit is that you used a "puffed" cornflake cereal instead of a classic, flat, crispy cornflake, or you didn't use enough marshmallows. You need the classic, sticky, 30-marshmallow "glue" to hold everything together.

Q2: Why are my cookies rock-hard?

You overcooked your marshmallows. It is crucial that you melt the marshmallows over a low heat and remove the pan immediately once they are melted. If you "boil" or "caramelize" the sugar in the marshmallows, they will set up into a hard, brittle candy.

Q3: Can I use a different cereal?

Yes! This is a fantastic "template" recipe. It would also be delicious with puffed rice cereal (like Rice Krispies®), but you will lose the classic, "leafy" wreath look.

Q4: Can I use mini-marshmallows?

Yes, absolutely! A good rule of thumb is that about 10 large marshmallows = 1 cup of mini marshmallows. For this recipe, you would need about 3 cups (or one 10-oz bag) of mini marshmallows.

Q5: What if I don't have "red hots"?

No problem! A classic, festive substitute is to use red and green M&M's® Minis or classic, round, red sprinkles to create your "berries."

Christmas Wreath Cookies (An Easy Holiday Classic!)

A classic, festive, and easy no-bake recipe for ‘Christmas Wreaths.’ This simple, kid-friendly treat is made by melting butter and marshmallows together, tinting the mixture a vibrant green, and stirring in cornflakes cereal. The sticky mixture is then dropped onto waxed paper, shaped by hand into small wreath shapes, and decorated with cinnamon red hot candies to resemble holly berries.

Author: Evelyn

Ingredients

½ cup butter
30 large marshmallows
1 ½ teaspoons green food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups cornflakes cereal
2 tablespoons cinnamon red hot candies
Waxed paper

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
Add the marshmallows and cook, stirring constantly, until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the green food coloring and the vanilla extract.
Add the cornflakes cereal to the marshmallow mixture and stir gently until the cereal is completely coated.
Set out one or two sheets of waxed paper. (Tip: To keep the mixture warm and pliable, place the saucepan into a skillet filled with 1 inch of very hot water).
Working quickly, drop a heaping tablespoonful of the cereal mixture onto the waxed paper.
Use lightly greased or wet fingers to form the mound into a wreath shape (a circle with a hole in the middle).
Immediately decorate the wreath with cinnamon red hot candies to look like ‘holly berries.’
Repeat the process with the remaining mixture.
Allow the cookies to cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes) to set and harden before removing them from the waxed paper.
Store in an airtight container.

Notes

This is a classic no-bake Christmas treat that is fun and easy to make with kids.
It is very important to work quickly when shaping the wreaths, as the marshmallow mixture is very sticky and will start to harden as it cools. Greasing your fingers with butter or cooking spray is essential.
Keeping the saucepan over a bowl or skillet of hot water (as suggested) will keep the mixture pliable while you work.
Store these in a single layer or separated by waxed paper so they don’t stick together.

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/christmas-wreath-cookies/