No cookie cutter? No problem! Make these cute & easy wreath sugar cookies using any circle cup you have in your kitchen! With only one color of frosting and m&m decorations, this is an easy cookie decorating idea that even the kids can help decorate!
Psst! For more easy ideas to pair with this, check out my 5 EASY Christmas Cookies for Kids!
Why I Love These Christmas Wreath Sugar Cookies
- No cookie cutter needed! If you don’t have a round cookie cutter, you can cut these out using a glass cup or an open tin can (i.e. soup can!). To cut out the center hole, you can use a apple corer or the lid to a spice jar. No fancy wreath cookie cutter needed!
- No special decorating supplies needed: You can decorate these adorable Christmas wreath cookies with one color of frosting & M&M candies! You can use the candy to create ornaments, holly, or bows as shown in the pictures!
- Quick to make: Unlike fancy sugar cookies, you can whip these up and have them decorated in under an hour. You can even make these with premade dough from Pillsbury, if you’d like!
- Fun activity for kids: No intricate piping skills needed; you can simply spread on your frosting or scoop your buttercream in a ziploc bag, snip of the edge, and then pipe dots!
Psst! For more cute Christmas cookies with M&M’s check out my 5 EASY Christmas Cookies for Kids!
What You Need to Make Wreath Cookies
You don’t need much to make these simple decorated sugar cookies!
- Cut out sugar cookie dough (recipe below)
- Green frosting (recipe & color formulas below)
- M&M candy
- Circle cookie cutter or glass cup (approx. 2.5″ diameter)
- Ziploc bag or piping bag
- Optional: smaller circle to cut out center hole (apple corer or spice jar lid work well)
- Optional (for a more decorative look): Wilton #10 round tip
How to Make & Decorate Wreath Sugar Cookies
You can watch a quick video tutorial of me decorating these adorable green wreath cookies over on my TikTok page! I’ve been doing a 12 days of Christmas cookie series where I’m decorating circle sugar cookies with frosting!
Step 1: Make Circle Cookies
Roll out and cut each cookie into approximately 2.5″ circles and between 3/8-1/2″ tall (I like to make my sugar cookies thick so they withstand the buttercream frosting!). If desired, use an apple corer or lid to a spice jar to cut out a center hole. Bake and let cool. My recipe for 12 round cut out sugar cookies is in the recipe card below!
Tip: If you don’t have a circle cookie cutter, you can use a glass cup (wine tumblers or wine glasses work well!) or an open aluminum can (i.e. soup can). DIY cookie cutters the old fashioned way!
Step 2: Color & Frost Cookie
You can simply spread the frosting on the cookie with a butter knife or for a fancier look, use a piping bag to pipe dots. I like to pipe along the edge of the cookie and then fill it in; this will give the edges a cleaner look. For a more decorative feel, you can also use a star tip.
To make the green frosting: Per 1 cup of frosting add 3 drops Wilton Blue gel + 2 drops Wilton Yellow gel. I also have a guide for How To Make Dark Green Icing (5 Shades!).
Step 3: Decorate Wreath Cookies!
While the frosting is still “wet”, press on some red m&M’s to create a bow or ornaments! You can also use all of the colors to add on some colorful Christmas lights. There are so many ways you can decorate these easy Christmas sugar cookies!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I make the dark emerald green frosting?
- Per 1 cup of frosting: 3 drops Wilton Blue + 2 drops Wilton Yellow
- Emerald green frosting is perfect for: Christmas trees, wreaths, ornaments, Christmas lights
Tip: For more dark green icing formulas, check out How To Make Dark Green Icing (5 Shades!).
Can I freeze these wreath cookies?
Yes, you can freeze these easy wreath cookies for up to 1 month in an airtight container. I suggest freezing them in one layer before stacking. After they’re frozen, you can place parchment paper in between each later to prevent them from sticking together. If doing a more decorative design (with a star tip), I would avoid stacking them since those peaks can be fragile.
Can I make these ahead?
To make these ahead, you can freeze the unfrosted cookies and then let them thaw to room temperature before decorating. This is a great option if you want to make them ahead for a cookie decorating party!
If you’ve already decorated these sugar cookies with frosting & want to store for later, use my freezing tips above.
Do you have another unique Christmas cookie ideas using M&M’s?
For more round sugar cookie ideas, check out my 5 EASY Christmas Cookies for Kids! I LOVE making circle sugar cookie designs since anyone can make them, without needing a stash of Christmas cookie cutters! So many Christmas decorated sugar cookies coming your way!
Easy Wreath Sugar Cookies
With only one color of frosting and m&m decorations, these wreath sugar cookies are an easy cookie decorating idea that even the kids can help decorate! Makes 12 round sugar cookies (~2.5" in diameter) and 2 cups of buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Dough
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (nut allergy? you can substitute this with extra vanilla!)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1.5 teaspoons almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- Gel food coloring
Tools/Toppings:
- M&M's candy I like using a mix of regular sized & minis
- Circle cookie cutter 2.5-3" in diameter
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar on medium speed for 20-30 seconds. Mix in egg, vanilla and almond extract. Add in baking powder, salt, and flour and mix until combined. Transfer to a flour-covered surface and use a rolling pin to roll dough 3/8" to 1/2" thick. Use a 2.5-3" circle cookie cutter or glass cup to cut out dough. If desired, use a smaller circle to cut out a hole in the center (an apple corer or spice jar lid works well).
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Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Depending on size of your cookie cutter and thickness of dough, you may need to bake for a few extra minutes. Allow to cool before decorating.
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To make frosting: In a large mixing bowl, add butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Cream together on medium speed for 30 seconds, or until blended together. Mix in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until all is incorporated. Turn mixer to high speed, and beat for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
To make the green frosting: Per 1 cup of frosting add 3 drops Wilton Blue gel + 2 drops Wilton Yellow gel. I also have a guide for How To Make Dark Green Icing (5 Shades!).
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Spread or pipe frosting on top of cooled sugar cookies and decorate with M&M's as shown in the photos above.
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Store in airtight container for 2-3 days or freeze for later.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Recipe Notes
Substitutions for M&M’s: You can also color a small amount of frosting red to create the decorations.
Storing: store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Freezing: you can freeze these frosted wreath cookies for up to 1 month in an airtight container. I suggest freezing them in one layer before stacking. After they’re frozen, you can place parchment paper in between each later to prevent them from sticking together.
Make Ahead: freeze the unfrosted cookies and then let them thaw to room temperature before decorating. This is a great option if you want to make them ahead for a cookie decorating party!
Nutrition
For more easy Christmas cookie ideas for kids:
- 5 EASY Christmas Cookies for Kids
- Easy Rudolph Cookies
- Easy Christmas Tree Cookies
- Christmas Holly Cookie Cups
If you make these easy wreath cookies, be sure to leave a comment below and tag me on Instagram @designeatrepeat. I LOVE seeing what you made!
