Today, I’d like to examine an existential question, almost as old as life itself:

Is a Rice Krispie Treat a cookie?

I ponder that, because I think it’s only a short jump from Rice Krispie Treat to other cereal and marshmallow-based desserts. Like Cornflake Wreaths.

I’m choosing to believe that any concoction made of grain, kept together by melted marshmallows, is indeed a cookie.

Like most superficially-done research, my conclusions directly benefit myself.

Cornflake Wreaths

• 1/3 c. butter
• 4 c. mini marshmallows
• green food coloring
• 6 c. cornflakes
• red cinnamon candies

1. Put cornflakes in a large bowl.
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Once it is melted, add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
3. Stir in green food coloring.
4. Pour butter-marshmallow mixture into the cornflakes, stirring until they are well-coated
5. Lay down wax paper or parchment paper; spoon mounds of the mixture on the wax/parchment paper.
6. Wash your hands and dry them well. Then grease them with butter or kitchen spray.
7. Shape those mounds into wreaths; top with red cinnamon candies.
8. Let set for half an hour before taking them off the wax/parchment paper.

A couple things here–make sure you have that stove on low heat. Last year, I didn’t and made brown butter cornflake wreaths, and they tasted burned. Also, make sure you spray your hands. I speak from experience here too.

My mom made these in the 80s. I think about everyone’s mom made these in the 80s. Sometimes, that little piece of nostalgia on a Christmas cookie tray can take you back to the simpler days of He-Man, Popples, and unironically-ugly Christmas sweaters.

The new generation seems to like them a bunch too.