Make these old-fashioned Church Window Cookies for your Christmas trays this year! They are easy no-bake cookies that everyone loves!
This vintage recipe comes from an old church cookbook from the 1970s, my Mom made them every year and they were always one of my favorite Holiday cookies!
We call these no bake cookies church window cookies, but they also go by the name no bake stained glass cookies!
If you like old-fashioned Christmas treats, check out my classic Rum Balls recipe too.
What are Church Window Cookies?
Church Window Cookies are classic American cookies that are made to look like stained church window glass. It’s a no-bake holiday treat that features multi-colored mini marshmallows, walnuts wrapped in chocolate ganache, and sweetened shredded coconut.
Everything is rolled into a log, and then chilled and sliced into cookies. The concept is similar to this Biscoff White Chocolate Salami, you might want to call these candies instead of cookies!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No-Bake Recipe – These cookies don’t require any cooking or baking, they are so easy to make!
- Packed with Marshmallows – If you love marshmallows, then this recipe is for you. The marshmallows are coated with delicious chocolate, and nuts are added for an extra crunch.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you need to make these easy no-bake cookies:
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Marshmallows: Use pastel mini marshmallows for these no-bake cookies. These can be found at most grocery stores, I got mine from Walmart.
- Chocolate: I went for semisweet chocolate, but milk chocolate would also be delicious so choose your favorite or do a mix of the 2.
- Butter: Either salted or unsalted butter works here. It will be melted with the chocolate to soften it, and make the cookie buttery.
- Nuts: Any kind of nuts work in this recipe, but the most classic option is walnuts. Pecans are also great.
- Coconut: We will use coconut to coat the logs before chilling and slicing. It can be omitted if you don’t love coconut, and substituted with powdered sugar, cocoa powder, graham cracker crumbs, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or ground nuts.
How To Make Church Window Cookies
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, or over a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter until it’s smooth. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes so it does not melt the marshmallows.
- Combine: Combine marshmallows with chopped walnuts then pour the melted chocolate over the mixture. Stir to combine.
- Shape: Spread coconut on wax paper, transfer half of the mixture over the coconut, and shape it into a log with the help of wax paper. Repeat with the second log.
- Chill: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge until set, about 2 hours. Then slice with a knife into ¼-inch slices and serve.
Tip!
Be careful not to overhead the chocolate as you melt it. Use a double boiler or a microwave, if you use a microwave then melt at 50% powder in 30 seconds increments stirring in between.
Recipe Tips
- Use Your Favorite Nuts: I use walnuts, but feel free to use pecans, pistachios, or peanuts instead. You can also add dried fruit like dried cherries or cranberries.
- Heavy-duty plastic wrap works best in this recipe. The thinner stuff will break and tear more easily, making rolling up the log difficult.
- To harden the log more quickly, place it in the freezer for about an hour.
Storing Tips
Keep church window cookies in the fridge. Stored in an airtight container, it can be kept for up to 2 weeks.
For longer storage, wrap first with plastic wrap, then with foil or wax paper, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
To serve, take the cookies out of the fridge and allow them to sit for 10 minutes before enjoying them.
FAQs
Yes! You can freeze these cookies wrapped very well with plastic wrap and foil or wax paper for up to 2 months.
If you don’t like coconut, use powdered sugar, cocoa powder, crushed candy canes, graham cracker crumbs, sprinkles, or ground nuts instead.
I hope that you enjoy these old-fashioned no-bake church window cookies! Be sure to Pin this recipe for later!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Church Window Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 stick (113g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups/12oz (340g) chocolate chips milk chocolate or semi-sweet
- 1 cup (125g) walnuts chopped
- 1 10oz bag pastel mini marshmallows
- 1½ cups sweetend shredded coconut or powdered sugar or ground nuts
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, or over a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter until it’s smooth. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes so it does not melt the marshmallows.
- Combine marshmallows with chopped walnuts then pour the melted chocolate over the mixture. Stir to combine.
- Spread coconut on wax paper, and transfer half of the mixture over the coconut, and shape it into a log with the help of wax paper. Repeat with the second log.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge until set, about 2 hours. Then slice with a knife into ¼ inch slices and serve.
Notes:
- Use Your Favorite Nuts: I use walnuts, but feel free to use pecans or peanuts instead.
- Heavy duty plastic wrap works best in this recipe. The thinner stuff will break and tear more easily, making rolling up the log difficult.
- To harden the log more quickly, place it in the freezer for about an hour.
- Store church window cookies in the fridge. Stored in an airtight container, it can be kept for up to 2 weeks.
- For longer storage, wrap first with plastic wrap, then with foil or wax paper, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To serve, take the cookies out of the fridge and allow them to sit for 10 minutes before enjoying them.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
kevin venteicher says
thank you looks delicious easy too prepare also