Church Window Cookies not only taste heavenly but they also look like little pieces of art, like the vibrant stained glass windows of a cathedral! With only 5 ingredients, these no-bake classic American cookies are one of our favorite things to make during the holidays.
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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
- Melt chocolate with butter. Heat the chocolate chips and the stick of butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.
- Stir and cool. Stir frequently until the melted chocolate is smooth. Set the pan aside to cool for 5 minutes.
- Mix marshmallows and walnuts. Combine the colored marshmallows and walnuts in a large bowl.
- Add chocolate and stir. Once the chocolate mixture has cooled a bit, pour it over the marshmallows and walnuts and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Prepare plastic wrap with coconut. Lay out two large pieces of waxed paper, plastic wrap, or sheets of parchment paper on the countertop. Sprinkle ¼ of the coconut on each piece of plastic wrap in a narrow, roughly 4-inch strip down the center.
- Form marshmallow mixture into logs. Pour half of the chocolate marshmallow mixture in a line on top of the coconut, roughly shaping it into a log shape. Repeat for the other log.
- Add remaining coconut. Sprinkle the remaining coconut over the chocolate and marshmallows.
- Tightly wrap and chill. Roll up into two tight logs, twisting the ends to secure them so they don't unroll. Transfer the logs to the fridge and let the mixture chill for 2-3 hours until firm and set up.
- Slice logs into cookies. Unwrap each cookie log, then slice them into discs with a sharp knife to serve.
Recipe FAQ's
A double boiler is great for melting chocolate, so use one if you want to, but this recipe will show you how to melt chocolate carefully over low heat in a saucepan.
These cookies can last up to a week at room temperature when stored in an airtight container. If you are making the cookies in a warmer climate or during warmer months, then they will be okay at room temperature for a while, but you should keep them stored in the refrigerator to retain their shape.
Absolutely! Church window cookies freeze well. Just store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. To prevent them from sticking together, you may want to put a piece of parchment paper in between each of them.
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.
How Do I Slice Church Window Cookies?
When slicing your church windowpane cookies always use a clean, sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion. This ensures clean cuts without squishing the marshmallows.
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.
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
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Church Window Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup salted butter
- 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 (10-ounce) package mini multi-colored marshmallows
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Heat the chocolate chips and the stick of butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.
- Stir frequently until the melted chocolate is smooth. Set the pan aside to cool for 5 minutes.
- Combine the colored marshmallows and walnuts in a large bowl.
- Once the chocolate mixture has cooled a bit, pour it over the marshmallows and walnuts and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Lay out two large pieces of waxed paper, plastic wrap, or sheets of parchment paper on the countertop. Sprinkle ¼ of the coconut on each piece of plastic wrap in a narrow, roughly 4-inch strip down the center.
- Pour half of the chocolate marshmallow mixture in a line on top of the coconut, roughly shaping it into a log shape. Repeat for the other log.
- Sprinkle the remaining coconut over the chocolate and marshmallows.
- Roll up into two tight logs, twisting the ends to secure them so they don't unroll. Transfer the logs to the fridge and let the mixture chill for 2-3 hours until firm and set up.
- Unwrap each cookie log, then slice them into discs with a sharp knife to serve.
Notes
- Store: These cookies can last up to a week at room temperature when stored in an airtight container. If you are making the cookies in a warmer climate or during warmer months, then they will be okay at room temperature for a while, but you should keep them stored in the refrigerator to retain their shape.
- Freeze: Church window cookies freeze well. Just store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. To prevent them from sticking together, you may want to put a piece of parchment paper in between each of them.
