Marshmallow Holiday Wreaths

A holiday spin on the classic marshmallow treats we all know and love! These Marshmallow Holiday Wreaths are so easy to make and look so cute on any holiday table.

Cereal, Cereal and More Cereal

Usually these delicious treats are made with rice cereal. I love it because the cereal is pretty simple in terms of flavor which really allows the marshmallow and vanilla extract to shine!

These are a little different because they use a flaked cereal instead! I choose this cereal for two reasons! 

1. Appearance. I think the flaked appearance of the cereal helps contribute to the wreath feel. I like that it has a flaked edge which makes these look more rustic and free form. Kind of like a real life wreath, we want this shape to be very organic.
2. Taste. While I love the regular version, this cereal has a bit more flavor to it which I think takes these treats to a different level. It’s not the typical taste nor shape which I think helps these stand out as their dessert. If I had to choose, I like this flavor of cereal better than the rice cereal. But don’t tell the rice cereal that! 

If you have the rice cereal already in your pantry, or like it better, you can still use that kind! 

Food Coloring vs Food Gel

If you’ve ever noticed while shopping for food coloring there’s actually two different types: a liquid and a gel. 

Both work great and both essentially do the same thing! If you prefer one over the other, feel free to skip this section and carry on with the deliciousness.

Food coloring is typically the liquid version that comes in that four pack you’ll always find a grocery store. These are really great at coloring lighter foods and the colors can be a bit softer, muted than a gel. The downside to using food coloring is that if you add too much you can change the consistency of your food, especially if you’re making frosting. 

Food gel can provide a much more vibrant color and you don’t have to worry about it changing the consistency of your food! The downside is that gels can be slightly harder to find and can be more expensive. 

I like to use gel because I like that you can create a more vibrant color without having to use as much gel. For these, I used a Hunter Green food gel and I only had to use one drop if you can believe it!

Ingredient List

Who doesn’t love a five ingredient recipe!? I’m all about a quick and easy recipe that has just a few ingredients! Especially around the holidays when things get busy!

• Butter - butter is crucial for delicious flavor but it also helps the marshmallow not stick to the pan! Nothing worse than stuck marshmallow! 
• Mini Marshmallows - I love the mini marshmallows because in my head, you end up with more marshmallows. I’m not sure if that math actually checks out but it makes sense in my head! If you want to use the large marshmallows though that works too! 
• Flaked Cereal - I prefer this cereal to the rice cereal because it adds just a bit more flavor to these treats!
• Food Gel - If you still have questions, then please refer to the section above to get my full breakdown on food coloring versus food gel!
• Mini Chocolate Candies - Crucial for turning these treats into adorable Marshmallow Holiday Wreaths.

Tips and Tricks

One of my favorite tips for working with marshmallow, especially melty marshmallow, is to keep some nonstick cooking spray near by. You can spray this on the spoon, the pan, even your hands! It helps contain the stickiness slightly!

My other tip for this recipe is to give the marshmallow treats a few minutes to cool down before you shape them. When I was testing this recipe, I found that I was getting a better shape and it was easier to work with the treats after they had cooled for about 2-3 minutes. I wouldn’t let them set for longer than 5 minutes because you don’t want the mixture to get too hard!

These Marshmallow Holiday Wreaths are so festive and delicious I couldn’t stop eating them! I love the gooey marshmallow with the crunchy cereal. It’s been one of my favorite holiday treats for a long time!

Cheers!

-Holly Michelle