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Home » Recipe Index » Cookies

Holly Cookies

Dec 15, 2019 · Leave a Comment

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3 Holly Cookies on a stack of small white Christmas plates with more cookies in the background and a red text overlay near the bottom.

These festive, no-bake Holly Cookies, are an easy addition to your holiday dessert platter, or Christmas cookie tray. The bright green cookies topped with red candies look like pieces of holly.

3 Holly Cookies on a stack of small white Christmas plates with more cookies in the background.

Just like crispy rice treats, these Holly Cookies are loved by kids and adults. The sweet combination of corn flakes, butter, and marshmallows is hard to resist.

Some people like to shape these cookies into wreaths, but I prefer the quicker method of dropping the mixture in mounds. I use a tablespoon from my flatware to scoop out the coated cornflakes and another tablespoon to push the mixture onto the parchment paper.

If you’re not a fan of marshmallows, but still want an easy cookie recipe for the holidays, try my Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms. Like the Holly Cookies, the blossom cookies are a favorite in my family.

These no-bake cookies are quick and easy to prepare. You only need 15 minutes and the following 5 ingredients:

  • Large marshmallows
  • Unsalted butter
  • Green food color
  • Corn flakes
  • Red candies (for decorating)

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make Holly Cookies.

Are marshmallows gluten free?

Most marshmallows found in your local grocery store are gluten free, but be sure to check the ingredients. For these cookies I used gluten free Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallows.

How to Make Holly Cookies

Line your cookie sheets or countertop with parchment paper or foil.

In a double boiler, over medium heat, melt the butter and marshmallows (photo 1). Stir with a wooden spoon until completely melted and smooth. Reduce heat to low.

Add a few drops of green food color to the marshmallow mixture and stir to combine (photos 2 & 3). Add additional food color to achieve the desired color.

Process shots 1-4 for making holly cookies

Pour corn flakes into the marshmallow mixture and stir until completely coated (photo 4).

Use a large tablespoon to drop the mixture in mounds onto the parchment paper or foil. Immediately add 3 red candies to the center of each cookie before they cool and become set.

Several Holly Cookies on a sheet of parchment paper with red candies sprinkled around the cookies.

Allow the holly cookies to cool and set up before serving.

You can make these festive cookies ahead of time. They will stay fresh, stored in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Once the cookies are cooled and set, you can stack them and they won’t stick together.

Baker's Tips

  • Using a double boiler prevents the butter and marshmallows from burning. It also allows you to keep the cookie mixture warm while you scoop out individual mounds and add the candies. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can make one. Simply place a heat proof bowl over a saucepan partially filled with simmering water.
  • Add the red candies immediately after scooping the mixture onto the parchment paper. If the mixture cools and sets up, the candies won’t stick. I keep the candies in a little bowl so they are ready to be quickly added to the cookies.

A round white plate filled with Holly Cookies on top of a red and white kitchen towel

During the holiday season, I have a tough time keeping these festive cookies in stock. Friends and family can’t get enough of them. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges or to simply add color to any Christmas dessert platter.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe to add to your holiday celebrations, give these Holly Cookies a try. I know you’ll be making them again and again!

More Gluten Free Holiday Recipes

  • Festive Holiday Gluten Free Almond Puff
  • Gluten Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
  • Cranberry Coffee Cake
  • Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars
  • Gluten Free Molasses Cookies

If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog, don't forget to leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.  I really enjoy hearing from you!

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3 Holly Cookies on a stack of small white Christmas plates with more cookies in the background.

Holly Cookies

Connie @ Flavor Walk
These festive, no-bake Holly Cookies, are an easy addition to your holiday dessert platter, or Christmas cookie tray.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Gluten free
Servings 18 cookies
Calories 102 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 30 large marshmallows
  • green food color
  • 3 ½ cups corn flakes
  • red candies for decorating

Instructions
 

  • Line cookie sheets or countertop with parchment paper or foil.
  • In a double boiler, over medium heat, melt butter and marshmallows. Stir with a wooden spoon until completely melted and smooth. Reduce heat to low.
  • Add a few drops of green food color to the marshmallow mixture and stir to combine. Add additional food color to achieve the desired color.
  • Pour corn flakes into the marshmallow mixture and stir until completely coated.
  • Use a large tablespoon to drop the mixture in mounds onto the parchment paper or foil. Immediately add 3 red candies to the center of each cookie before they cool and become set.
  • Allow the holly cookies to cool and set up before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Using a double boiler prevents the butter and marshmallows from burning. It also allows you to keep the cookie mixture warm while you scoop out individual mounds and add the candies. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can make one. Simply place a heat proof bowl over a saucepan partially filled with simmering water.
  • Add the red candies immediately after scooping the mixture onto the parchment paper. If the mixture cools and sets up, the candies won’t stick. I keep the candies in a little bowl so they are ready to be quickly added to the cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 9mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 255IUVitamin C: 1.2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 1.6mg
Top image is holly cookies and red candies on parchment paper. Bottom image is a white plate filled with holly cookies and the middle has a red text box.
3 Holly Cookies on a stack of small white Christmas plates with more cookies in the background and a red text overlay near the bottom.

 

3 Holly Cookies on a stack of small white Christmas plates with more cookies in the background and a blue text overlay near the bottom.

 

« Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Scones »

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Connie of Flavorwalk Food BlogWelcome to Flavor Walk. I'm Connie the author of this blog where I share gluten-free, simple and easy recipes that add flavor to life. Spend a little time, explore, and you may find some flavor to add to your life, too.
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