Church Window Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a nostalgic treat that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat, you’ve got to try this Church Window Cookies Recipe. They’re these fun, colorful, chocolatey rolls filled with marshmallows and nuts, then coated in coconut—it’s like a sweet little surprise in every bite. When I first stumbled upon this recipe, I was hooked immediately because it’s ridiculously easy and perfect for holiday parties, potlucks, or just a cozy family snack. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll start becoming your go-to cookie for gatherings!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create that classic, chewy, slightly crunchy combination you expect from Church Window Cookies. You’ll want good quality chocolate for the richest flavor, and I always recommend toasting the walnuts to really bring out their nutty goodness.

• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Easy to melt and not too sweet, they make the cookies perfectly rich without overpowering the marshmallows.
• Butter: Adds smoothness and helps the chocolate set nicely when chilled.
• Pastel Miniature Marshmallows: These little guys are what make these cookies so fun—you’ll see those pretty colors peeking through!
• Chopped Walnuts: Toast ’em for extra flavor and crunch, which perfectly complements the softness of the rest of the cookie.
• Flaked Coconut: The final coating adds a lovely texture and a hint of tropical sweetness.

Variations

I like to keep this Church Window Cookies Recipe pretty traditional, but playing around with add-ins is so much fun and really lets you personalize it for your taste or dietary needs.

• Nut-Free Version: I swapped walnuts for toasted sunflower seeds once for a nut allergy-friendly batch, and they came out just as crunchy and delicious.
• Different Chocolate: Using dark chocolate chips adds a slightly richer and less sweet flavor if you prefer a deeper chocolate taste.
• Mixed Nuts: Sometimes I toss in pecans or almonds along with walnuts for a more complex nutty flavor.
• Colored Coconut: For special occasions, I’ve mixed shredded coconut with a little food coloring to match holiday themes—it’s such a fun visual twist!

How to Make Church Window Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate and Butter

Start by gently melting the semisweet chocolate chips and butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously to get a shiny, smooth mixture without scorching. I like to remove it from the heat just as it’s fully melted—this helps prevent the chocolate from seizing up. Let it cool just a bit to avoid melting the marshmallows in the next step.

Step 2: Fold in Marshmallows and Walnuts

Once the chocolate is slightly cooled but still pourable, gently stir in the pastel miniature marshmallows and toasted walnuts. You want to fold them in carefully to keep those marshmallows intact, so you get colorful pockets when sliced.

Step 3: Shape into Rolls and Coat with Coconut

Divide your mixture into three equal parts. Using waxed paper helps a lot—you place the chocolate mixture on the paper, then roll it into a log about 10 inches long. After shaping, roll each log in flaked coconut for that signature finish. Wrapping them tightly in waxed paper prevents freezer burn and helps them hold together as they chill.

Step 4: Chill and Slice

Pop the wrapped rolls in the fridge for at least 2 hours until they’re firm enough to slice cleanly. When it’s time to serve, cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. They’ll be sturdy but soft in the middle with that wow-factor visual thanks to the marshmallows.

How to Serve Church Window Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick to just the flaked coconut coating since it adds a delicate, tropical touch and looks charming with the pastel marshmallows. But if I’m feeling fancy, a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a drizzle of white chocolate adds a sweet finishing touch that also looks beautiful.

Side Dishes

Church Window Cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or your favorite cup of tea—perfect for cozying up in the afternoon. For festive occasions, I like setting them alongside fresh fruit or a cheese platter to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

I once traced out little “cookie towers” by stacking the slices on a decorative tray, perfect for holiday parties. Another time, I wrapped individual slices in parchment paper and tied them with twine as edible gifts—they’re just so easy to share and look adorable wrapped up like little edible jewels.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once sliced, I keep these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and chewy for about a week, though mine don’t usually last that long! If you prefer them a bit softer, just let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Freezing

Church Window Cookies freeze beautifully if you want to prepare them ahead of time. I freeze the rolled logs wrapped tightly in waxed paper then place them in a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, just thaw in the fridge overnight and slice as usual.

Reheating

These cookies don’t need reheating, but if you like them a bit soft, leave the slices out at room temperature for a little while or warm them briefly in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. Be careful not to melt the marshmallows though—that’s part of the charm!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Church Window Cookies Recipe brings a bit of vintage charm to my kitchen—and I’m always amazed at how easy it is to pull together something that looks and tastes so special. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug: simple, cheerful, and full of delightful surprises with every slice. If you want to wow your friends or indulge yourself with a no-fuss homemade treat, give these a try—you’ll be so glad you did!

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