Name: Holly Crackles
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter; 30 large marshmallows (a 10-ounce bag contains 38 to 40); 1 teaspoon green food color (or more, if desired); 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 cup cornflakes cereal; Red-hot cinnamon candies, for decorating

Holly Crackles

29 Comments

MAKES: 36 cookies

PREP: 35 Min

COOK TIME: 5 Min

Need a star entry for your holiday cookie platter? Add some holiday cookie cheer with our Holly Crackles. They're bite-sized wreath-shaped cookies that look as good as they taste - and they always disappear in a flash.

What You'll Need

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
30 large marshmallows (a 10-ounce bag contains 38 to 40)
1 teaspoon green food color (or more, if desired)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups cornflakes cereal
Red-hot cinnamon candies, for decorating

What to Do

Line two baking sheets with wax paper. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter and marshmallows, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in food color and vanilla. Stir in cornflakes.
Drop mixture 1 tablespoon at a time, onto wax paper; decorate with candies. Let stand 30 minutes, or until cool.

Notes

You can make these as an Easter or springtime treat, too. Use pastel food color and jelly beans and call them Birds' Nests!

We love gifting this homemade candy during the holidays! For even more Christmas candy recipes be sure to download our free eCookbook, Christmas Candy Recipes: 24 Ideas for Homemade Christmas Gifts! Or if you're looking for some holiday cookie recipes, be sure to check out our free eCookbook, 12 Days of Christmas Cookies.

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Member 2873656

Dec 25, 2015

Mine would not harden, even tried the freezer. Stuck very firmly to the wax paper. Tasted great.

riverdogfarm 91229 18

Dec 22, 2015

Could you use Marshallow Fluff instead of marshmallows?

Test Kitchen Team

Dec 23, 2015

Hi there! The Mr. Food Test Kitchen has not made this recipe using fluffy marshmallow creme, and is unsure of how it will turn out. If you do make this recipe using it, let us know how it turns out for you. We would love to hear your feedback. Enjoy!

steinert 5714632

Dec 16, 2014

These are the BEST Christmas cookies ever! My mom has been making these for years, only she uses Rice Crispies. They are fantastic frozen, and they make your mouth nice and green )

busdvr 0271539

Dec 16, 2014

can't wait to try

rina 4112677

Oct 14, 2014

Can you please tell me the equivalent weight of a stick of butter in grams if possible? (We cannot buy sticks of butter in the UK) Many thanks

paulmccartneyrules 0209756

Dec 16, 2014

I googled it and 1 stick of butter is equal to 113 grams

Institches18

Aug 17, 2014

They won't get hard if you melt the marshmallows on very low heat.

tbdoepker 4805620

Dec 21, 2013

I have made them before, but shaped into a wreath (make into a circle).

gr99acie 6133646

Dec 17, 2013

All your comments rave about these crackels, I'm wondering what I did wrong but mine hardened right away. Very hard to spoon out. Cooled very hard. Not edible at all. I'm just glad the cost is not that much. Can anyone help?

ecmsaperry 6946039

Dec 22, 2013

I know that the marshmallows HAVE to be very fresh. Could that have been the problem?

chrysw3 1904169

Dec 17, 2013

Use Frosted Flakes instead of Corn Flakes - been making them every year since I was little, because we all need more sugar this time of year LOL - but they are oh so good - the first cookies to disappear from the tray always!

Member 6821765

Nov 22, 2013

Can you freeze these

wendywalgrave 1744 487

Dec 16, 2013

Yes. They freeze well. Just uncover the container when defrosting so moisture doesn't build up as they thaw.

twinsgrammy2 42119 20

Mar 29, 2013

Made by my Mom and Grandmother for years, and me, too. Making them tomorrow in bird nest style for Easter.

cbins11 4362893

Dec 08, 2012

I made these but they remained stickey. Was it the marshmellows?

KeepNF8th

Dec 08, 2012

Have made these many times over. I'd like to try making them w/ the Peppermint marshmallows, they only come in the mini marshmallows and unfortunately I've forgotten how many cups of minis to use. Mr. food can you help?

grannyblu

Jan 06, 2013

You can add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon peppermint extract for a peppermint flavor and use the regular size marshmallows

debspunk 2914995

Dec 06, 2012

Do these cookies make your mouth green when you eat them?

KeepNF8th

Dec 08, 2012

Yes they do! But they are totally worth the green mouth.

nevajohns 8338820

Dec 03, 2012

Instead of red hots I use any other type red cookie decorations. My 5 grandchildren are under the age of 10 and love these cookies!!

coupongail 5242520

Oct 17, 2012

Made these with my mother 30 years ago. They are so good & very pretty on a plate with other cookies. Easy to make but it helps to have 2 people working on them as they cool quickly & then you can't form them into cookies. Thanks for the wonderful memory!

lnrh 5194838

Sep 26, 2012

My granddaughter will have fun helping me make these. Can't wait to try these.

TPADILLA321 293302 7

Sep 24, 2012

I LIKE THE WREATH IDEA. I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THESE. I USE MY FAMILY AHEAD OF TIME TO SEE WHAT THEY LIKE & DON'T LIKE FOR NEW HOLIDAY FOODS & MARK THEIR COMMENTS OF WHAT THEY LIKE & THEY CAN HAVE SOMETHING THEY LIKE & ADD SOMETHING ELSE HOMEMADE LIKE POT HOLDERS OR HAND TOWELS. THEY LOVE IT.