You may know them as stained glass window cookies, cathedral cookies, or cathedral window cookies, but these chopped chocolate marshmallow logs are all the same thing—a classic no-bake Christmas cookie that everyone will love! This vintage recipe, often passed down through family cookbooks, captures the essence of festive occasions and the joy of holiday baking. These easy, no-bake cookies are perfect for the Christmas season and have been a classic American favorite for generations. They are a great choice for your next cookie exchange or as a fun baking project for kids any time of the year. Try some of our other favorite Christmas treats, like these Classic Gingerbread Cookies, Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars, Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms, and my Christmas Pinwheel Cookies!
Why We Love This Recipe
This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences. With only 5 simple ingredients, this is a great last-minute cookie recipe for the holidays! Church Window Cookies are incredibly easy to make. This no-bake recipe promises success with minimal effort. These cookies make a wonderful addition to any cookie exchange or as a thoughtful homemade gift at Christmas time.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Chocolate Chips – I’ve used semisweet chocolate chips as they are my favorite, but this recipe can be made using white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or any variety of chocolate that you like. Butter – Use salted butter to add a rich creaminess to the melted chocolate mixture. Shredded Coconut – I find that sweetened shredded coconut flakes taste amazing here, but you can use unsweetened or swap it for almond flakes. Marshmallows – I have used pastel mini marshmallows to give these Christmas cookies their beautiful stained glass effect. Walnuts – Any chopped nuts will do, but walnuts are especially festive.
How to Make Cathedral Window Cookies
Tips for Success
Make sure to allow the chocolate to cool for 5 minutes before mixing with the marshmallows or the marshmallows could begin to melt, losing their shape and possibly spreading through the chocolate. The quality of the ingredients that you use can significantly impact the final product. For best results, use high-quality chocolate chips for a richer flavor. The key to getting the right texture for your cookies is in the chilling process. Make sure to chill the logs until they are firm enough to slice without crumbling. The cookies may lose their shape when cut if they are too soft.
Substitutions and Variations
Unsweetened coconut can be used for a less sweet version, or if you’re in a pinch, you can add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the coconut to make it sweeter if you don’t have any. You could swap out the coconut for a finely chopped nut of your choice, such as peanuts, pecans, or almond flakes, or go a completely different route by using crushed cookies or Graham crackers, powdered sugar, or sprinkles. You can also leave out the coating completely; just wrap up the chocolate marshmallow mixture in a log shape and chill it in the fridge, then slice and serve when ready. Try using different kinds of chocolate, such as white chocolate, dark chocolate, or milk chocolate. You could add a bit of peanut butter to the chocolate if you love that combination, and you could also melt white chocolate with some colored candy wafers (or add food coloring (affiliate link)) to make super colorful cookies to match your themed event or special occasion. Adding a flavored extract such as vanilla extract, peppermint extract, or lemon extract will give these little Church Windows an extra burst of flavor. Instead of chopped walnuts, you could use other chopped nuts like peanuts, pecans, and almonds, or you can omit them for a nut-free version. For a different texture and flavor, you could use crushed Oreos, chopped peanut butter cups, or crushed Reese’s pieces and M&M’s to add some color with a crunch. Unsalted butter can be used instead of salted; just make sure to add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. Use a plant-based butter substitute for a dairy-free option. You can use plain white marshmallows if you need to, as the flavor won’t be affected, or go for a single color to match a themed event or special occasion. You can use vegan marshmallows if you prefer a plant-based option. For a holiday twist, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the chocolate mixture. This can add a warm, festive flavor to the cookies.
More Easy Treat Recipes
Christmas Crack Saltine Cracker Toffee Rolo Pretzels Easy Homemade Turtles Candy Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
If the knife sticks to the chocolate and causes it to smear onto the marshmallows, running the knife under hot water and wiping it dry between slices can help.
Easy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Christmas Pretzel Hugs
Easy Christmas Crockpot Candy
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