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Why These Easy Christmas Wreath Sugar Cookies Will Be Your New Holiday Favorite

These charming Christmas wreath sugar cookies aren’t just pretty; they’re designed for maximum fun and minimal stress, making them perfect for busy holiday seasons or family baking days. Here’s why I absolutely adore them and why I think you will too:

1. Absolutely No Cookie Cutter Needed! This is perhaps the biggest selling point! Forget about rummaging through your drawers for a specific wreath or circle cookie cutter. If you don’t have a round cookie cutter on hand, simply grab a standard drinking glass or even an open, clean tin can (like a soup can) to cut out your cookie shapes. For the center hole that transforms a circle into a wreath, an apple corer or the lid of a spice jar works wonders. It’s all about using what you have, making this recipe incredibly accessible and budget-friendly.
2. Minimal, Everyday Decorating Supplies: Say goodbye to complicated piping bags with dozens of tips and a rainbow of frosting colors. These adorable Christmas wreath cookies are designed to be decorated with just one color of frosting – a festive green – and a sprinkle of M&M candies. You can use these vibrant candies to create cheerful “ornaments,” classic “holly berries,” or even charming little “bows” as depicted in my photos. The beauty is in the simplicity, allowing everyone to get creative without needing advanced decorating skills.
3. Whip Them Up in Record Time: Unlike many fancy sugar cookie recipes that demand hours of intricate work, these easy wreath cookies can be mixed, baked, and decorated in under an hour. This efficiency is a game-changer during the bustling holiday season when time is a precious commodity. If you’re really short on time, you can even use pre-made sugar cookie dough from the store (like Pillsbury) to speed up the process even further, making them an ideal last-minute treat for parties or gifting.
4. A Delightful Activity for Kids and Beginners: This recipe is truly designed for fun, not perfection. There’s no need for intricate piping skills or steady hands; even spreading the frosting with a butter knife works beautifully. For those who want a bit more control, simply scoop your buttercream into a Ziploc bag, snip off a small corner, and pipe simple dots. This relaxed approach makes it a fantastic activity for kids, allowing them to express their creativity and feel proud of their holiday creations without the pressure of perfection.

Psst! For even more cute and simple Christmas cookies that feature M&M’s, be sure to explore my guide on 5 EASY Christmas Cookies for Kids!

Essential Tools & Ingredients for Your Festive Wreath Cookies

You’ll be delighted to know that you don’t need an arsenal of specialty baking gear to create these simply decorated sugar cookies. Most of these items are probably already in your kitchen, making this a truly accessible recipe for all skill levels.

• Cut Out Sugar Cookie Dough: My reliable recipe is provided below, ensuring your cookies hold their shape beautifully.
• Green Buttercream Frosting: The recipe for this vibrant green hue, along with specific color formulas for different shades, is detailed in the recipe card below.
• M&M’s Candies: These add a pop of color and texture, perfect for creating “berries,” “bows,” or “ornaments” on your wreaths.
• Circle Cookie Cutter or Glass Cup: An approximate 2.5-3 inch diameter works best. If you don’t have a cutter, a drinking glass or mug is a perfect substitute for cutting out the round cookie shapes.
• Ziploc Bag or Piping Bag: For easy and mess-free frosting application. A Ziploc bag with a snipped corner works just as well as a dedicated piping bag.
• Optional: Smaller Circle Cutter for the Center Hole: An apple corer, a small bottle cap, or the lid to a spice jar are excellent DIY options for creating the perfect wreath opening.
• Optional (for a more decorative piped look): A Wilton #10 round piping tip will give you neat, consistent dots, but it’s by no means essential.

Step 1: Prepare Your Perfect Circular Cookies

Begin by rolling out your prepared sugar cookie dough to a thickness of approximately ⅜ to ½ inch. I always recommend making your sugar cookies a bit thicker; this helps them bake more evenly and provides a sturdy base that can beautifully hold a generous amount of buttercream frosting without breaking. Using a 2.5 to 3-inch circle cookie cutter, a glass cup, or an open tin can, cut out your circular shapes. For that characteristic wreath look, gently cut out a smaller hole in the center of each circle. An apple corer or the lid from a spice jar is perfect for this task. Once cut, carefully transfer them to a baking sheet. Bake according to the recipe instructions below until the edges are lightly golden, then allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before moving on to decorating. My specific recipe, yielding 12 delicious round cut-out sugar cookies, is conveniently located in the recipe card that follows!

Pro Tip: If you don’t own a traditional circle cookie cutter, don’t fret! Get creative with household items. Wine tumblers, wine glasses, or even clean, open aluminum cans (like those used for soup or vegetables) work wonderfully as impromptu DIY cookie cutters. This is the old-fashioned way to get perfectly round cookies!

Step 2: Achieve the Perfect Green Hue & Frost Your Cookies

Now for the fun part – frosting! You have a couple of options here, depending on your desired look and comfort level. For a super simple approach, just use a butter knife or small offset spatula to spread an even layer of green frosting over your cooled cookies. Don’t worry about perfection; rustic charm is part of the appeal! If you’re aiming for a slightly neater or more decorative finish, transfer your green buttercream into a piping bag (or a Ziploc bag with a small corner snipped off). I find it helpful to pipe a border around the edge of the cookie first, then fill in the center; this method gives the edges a cleaner, more defined look. For an extra festive touch, you could even use a star tip for a textured, pine-needle effect, but a simple round tip or even just the snipped bag corner works perfectly for charming dots.

Making that perfect festive green frosting: For every 1 cup of buttercream frosting, I recommend adding 3 drops of Wilton Blue gel food coloring combined with 2 drops of Wilton Yellow gel food coloring. This combination creates a lovely, deep emerald green that’s ideal for Christmas wreaths. If you’re looking for more options or different shades of green, I also have a comprehensive guide titled How To Make Dark Green Icing (5 Shades!).

Step 3: Embellish Your Wreath Cookies with M&M’s!

This is where the magic truly happens, and it’s incredibly fun for all ages! While your frosting is still soft and “wet,” gently press red M&M’s into the green buttercream to create festive bows or vibrant holly berries. The red candies pop beautifully against the green background, instantly transforming your simple cookies into delightful Christmas wreaths. Don’t limit yourself to just red! You can also use a mix of M&M colors to represent colorful Christmas lights strung around your wreath, or even use miniature M&M’s for a more intricate look. There are so many creative and easy ways to decorate these simple Christmas sugar cookies, allowing you to personalize each one and make them truly unique. Let your imagination run wild and enjoy the process of turning these blank canvases into edible works of holiday art!

How do I achieve that perfect dark emerald green frosting for my wreaths?

Creating a rich, festive emerald green is simpler than you might think! For every 1 cup of your buttercream frosting, mix in 3 drops of Wilton Blue gel food coloring and 2 drops of Wilton Yellow gel food coloring. Always start with less and add more if needed, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure an even color. This vibrant shade is incredibly versatile and ideal for various Christmas-themed treats, including Christmas trees, festive wreaths, ornaments, and even charming Christmas lights designs.

Bonus Tip: For a deeper dive into creating various shades of green, be sure to check out my detailed guide on How To Make Dark Green Icing (5 Shades!). It offers different formulas to achieve a range of beautiful green hues.

Can I freeze these festive wreath cookies for later enjoyment?

Absolutely! These easy wreath cookies freeze beautifully, allowing you to prepare them in advance and enjoy them for up to 1 month. To prevent them from sticking or smudging, I highly recommend freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first until they are firm. Once frozen, you can transfer them to an airtight container. If you need to stack them, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to protect the frosting. However, if you’ve used a more delicate or decorative piping technique (like a star tip with defined peaks), it’s generally best to avoid stacking them to maintain their pristine appearance, even after freezing.

Is it possible to make these cookies ahead of time, especially for a party?

Yes, making these cookies ahead of time is a fantastic idea, particularly if you’re planning a cookie decorating party or simply want to get a head start on your holiday baking! You have a couple of options: you can freeze the unfrosted, baked cookies. When you’re ready to decorate, just let them thaw to room temperature. This method is perfect for cookie decorating gatherings, as it means less work on the day of the event. Alternatively, if your cookies are already decorated with frosting, follow my freezing tips mentioned above. Simply store them in an airtight container in the freezer, and they’ll be ready to enjoy whenever the craving strikes or your guests arrive!

Craving More Unique Christmas Cookie Ideas Featuring M&M’s?

If you loved the simplicity and charm of these M&M-decorated wreath cookies, you’re in for a treat! I am passionate about creating accessible and fun cookie designs that anyone can make, especially during the holiday season. That’s why I absolutely adore crafting designs using simple circular sugar cookies – it means you don’t need a massive collection of Christmas cookie cutters to create impressive and adorable treats!

For a treasure trove of additional round sugar cookie ideas and creative ways to use M&M’s in your holiday baking, be sure to check out my dedicated post on 5 EASY Christmas Cookies for Kids! Get ready for many more festive, beautifully decorated sugar cookies coming your way to brighten your holiday spread and delight your loved ones. Happy baking!