Christmas Holly Clusters
Here’s another installment from Gayle’s Recipe Corner. This was a HUGE favorite for me growing up . . . I begged Mom to make them every year even though they weren’t her favorite. They are so easy and simple, and I’m sure you’ve had them – many people bring them out at the holidays. I looked them up in her cookbook and, of course, there is a star and a note that says “Ones you like with cornflakes!” 
(The marshmallows didn’t hurt either!) If these are new to you, just think Rice Krispies Treats made with Corn Flakes instead of Rice Krispies.
I have so many fond memories of our Christmas “baking days” where we’d both be in the kitchen all day (sometimes for multiple days) in special Christmas aprons baking our family’s traditional Christmas treats. Here’s her recipe for Christmas Holly Clusters, and I’ve added some of my own notes over time so those are in pink.
Christmas Holly Clusters (makes 36)
1 stick of butter
30 large marshmallows
1/4 teaspoon green food coloring
4 1/2 cups Corn Flakes
1/3 cup red cinnamon candies (Red Hots)
Melt butter in a saucepan, and then add marshmallows; cook until melted. (This can be done in the microwave as well.) Remove from heat; add food coloring and stir until evenly colored. Add Corn Flakes and stir until they are coated (a very large bowl helps!). Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper. Press several cinnamon candies on each cluster. Let dry for 1 hour. Makes a colorful gift at Christmas.
– Gayle Griffin
(As a reminder, Mom wrote/compiled a recipe book when I was young and gave me my very own copy of it for my 19th birthday when I moved out of the house and into my own apartment. She had gone page by page and written notes to me like “Very good”, “Easy”, “Your Dad’s favorite”, etc. Now that she’s been gone 24 years, those notes are priceless to me. It’s so nice to open a book and hear her voice through her writing. I’m thankful.)
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