The cornflake wreaths were my favorite cookies by far – both to make and to eat. Other kids’ moms made these cookies. They were way too much of a mess for my mom.
(Mom has some cleanliness issues you hardcore fans know all about.)
I was so proud of them – and was sure the kids would love them.
But I made one crucial mistake. The recipe wisely called for red mini-M&M’s. I happen to remember them with cinnamon candies from my youth, so I used cinnamon candies. I am sure there are exceptions out there, but, in general, and in my specific, cinnamon candies do not a happy four-year-old niece make. The look on Maddie’s face when she bit into one was agony – an agony she then associated with the wreaths, despite my desperate pleas to “try the green part. I swear it’s really, really good and you will love it…” She wasn’t hearing it. I fear I may have ruined marshmallow and cereal-based cookies for the rest of Maddie’s life. If not Christmas itself. The responsibilities of aunthood are often more of a burden than I can bear.