Get ready to spread some serious holiday cheer with the most adorable Reindeer Cookies! This recipe transforms simple peanut butter cookies into festive little Rudolphs, complete with pretzel antlers and candy noses. It is perfect for holiday baking, offering a fun and easy project for the whole family. These customizable, kid-friendly treats are sure to become a cherished part of your seasonal traditions.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Reindeer Cookies
- Simple Ingredients, Quick Prep: You likely have most items already, making these a convenient last-minute treat.
- Fun for Family Decorating: Kids and adults alike will love personalizing each reindeer.
- Delicious Peanut Butter Base: The classic flavor of the peanut butter cookies is a crowd-pleaser.
- Ideal for Parties and Gifts: These make wonderful homemade presents or a delightful addition to any holiday spread.
- Adorable Festive Presentation: Their charming look instantly brightens any holiday table, making them perfect Reindeer Cookies.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients to make these delightful Reindeer Cookies. These items come together for a rich, flavorful peanut butter cookie base that’s perfect for decorating.
For the Cookies:
- 1/2 cup shortening (Crisco)
- 1 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
For Decorating:
- Chocolate-covered pretzel twists (for the antlers)
- M&M’s chocolate candy (red for noses, or assorted for variety)
- Chocolate chips (semi-sweet, for the eyes)
Notes & Substitutions
Feel free to tailor these Reindeer Cookies to your preferences. As noted by King Arthur Baking, shortening and butter affect cookie texture differently, with shortening generally leading to a more tender result. If peanut butter isn’t your favorite, swap out the dough for a classic sugar cookie or even gingerbread base. No chocolate-covered pretzels? Simply dip plain mini pretzels into melted chocolate. For the noses, other small round candies can substitute M&M’s. For ultimate simplicity, start with store-bought peanut butter cookie dough.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes baking these Reindeer Cookies a breeze. You don’t need anything fancy, just standard kitchen essentials.
- Large mixing bowls (at least two)
- Stand mixer or electric hand mixer (optional, but highly recommended)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets (two work best for rotation)
- Parchment paper or nonstick spray
- Small cookie scoop (for consistent sizing)
Instructions
Creating these fun Reindeer Cookies is a straightforward process, perfect for beginners. Follow these steps to bake and decorate your festive treats.
Preparing the Cookie Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Next, prepare your baking sheets by spraying them with nonstick cooking spray or lining them with parchment paper. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt with a fork until well combined. This ensures even distribution in your final dough.
In the large bowl of a stand mixer, or using a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, combine the shortening, light brown sugar, creamy peanut butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together at medium speed until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended. Add the large egg and continue to mix until it is just incorporated into the creamy mixture.
Finally, begin gradually adding the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Add a little at a time, mixing on low speed to prevent flour from flying out of the bowl. Mix only until the flour is just combined and no streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Shaping and Baking the Reindeer
Once your dough is ready, it’s time to shape your Reindeer Cookies. Use a small 1-inch cookie scoop to portion out uniform dough balls. Place these balls onto your prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. This spacing is key for properly shaped Reindeer Cookies.
To form the reindeer face shape, gently pinch the bottom half of each cookie dough ball. This creates a slightly elongated, pointy bottom for the snout. Then, lightly flatten the dough balls a bit with the palm of your hand. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for approximately 8 minutes. You want them to be set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
Decorating Your Reindeer Cookies
As soon as your cookies come out of the oven, start organizing all your embellishments. You will work quickly while the cookies are still warm and soft enough to embed the decorations. First, press the M&M’s (preferably red ones for Rudolph’s nose) firmly into the center of each warm cookie. These will be the reindeer noses.
Next, place two chocolate chips just above the nose for the eyes. Make sure to position them with the pointy side of the chocolate chip facing upwards. For the antlers, carefully insert the chocolate-covered pretzel twists near the top of the cookie, above the eyes. This part can be a bit tricky because the pretzels are heavier than the other decorations. It’s important to insert them solidly into the cookie, close to the eyes, applying gentle but firm pressure to ensure they stay in place. Allow your newly decorated Reindeer Cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack. Cooling fully helps the decorations set and prevents them from falling off.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving perfect Reindeer Cookies is easy with a few extra pointers. Always take the time to scrape down the sides of your mixing bowl thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well combined. It is crucial not to overbake your cookies; pull them from the oven when the edges are just set and the centers look slightly soft. For stable antlers, make sure they are inserted deeply and securely into the warm cookie dough. Allow your decorated Reindeer Cookies to cool completely before handling or storing them, as this allows all the decorations to set firmly. For extra adhesion, a dab of melted chocolate can help secure the eyes or antlers if they feel wobbly. Want to add more charm? Use small candy eyes for an even cuter look on your finished Reindeer Cookies.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Serving Suggestions
These festive Reindeer Cookies are perfect for many holiday occasions. Arrange them beautifully on a large holiday platter as a centerpiece dessert. Leave a plate out with a glass of milk for Santa on Christmas Eve. They are fantastic for cookie exchanges or as thoughtful, homemade gifts for neighbors and friends. Pack them for school parties or office potlucks to share the holiday spirit.
Storage Instructions
To maintain their freshness, store your finished Reindeer Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to 10 days. For extended storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. When freezing, place parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking together. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Variations
Don’t limit yourself to peanut butter! Try using chocolate chip, sugar cookie, or even gingerbread dough as your base for these Reindeer Cookies. Experiment with different colored M&M’s for the noses to create unique reindeer personalities. For a more elaborate decoration, use royal icing to pipe on features or details. Dip your pretzel antlers in white chocolate or sprinkles for extra flair. You could even add mini marshmallows for fluffy reindeer tails!
Nutrition
These Reindeer Cookies offer a delightful treat for the holidays. Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 167 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Sodium | 156 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate based on ingredients and preparation methods. Actual values may vary based on specific brands and portion sizes.
FAQ
Can I use store-bought cookie dough for these Reindeer Cookies?
Absolutely! Store-bought peanut butter or sugar cookie dough works wonderfully and speeds up the process. Just follow the package directions for baking, then decorate as instructed.
Can I use a different cookie flavor for my Reindeer Cookies?
Yes, feel free to get creative! Chocolate, sugar, or even gingerbread cookies can make excellent bases for your reindeer. Adjust the baking time according to the specific dough.
What if I don’t have chocolate-covered pretzels for the antlers?
No problem! You can use plain mini pretzel twists and dip them yourself in melted chocolate or just insert them plain. You can also break larger pretzels into smaller antler shapes.
How do I store these cookies for freshness?
Keep your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 10 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Can I make Reindeer Cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Bake and decorate them a few days in advance, or prepare the dough and freeze it unbaked. Thaw the dough, then bake and decorate when ready.
Conclusion
These adorable Rudolph Reindeer Cookies are a guaranteed way to bring smiles and festive cheer to your holiday season. They combine a delicious, easy-to-make peanut butter cookie with simple, fun decorations, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Whether you are baking with family, preparing for a party, or giving thoughtful gifts, these charming treats are always a hit. Get creative, have fun, and don’t forget to share your delightful Reindeer Cookies creations with us!
Rudolph Reindeer Cookies: A Festive and Easy Christmas Treat
Equipment
- Baking sheets
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Bowl
- fork
- Stand mixer or large mixing bowl
- Cookie scoop
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup shortening Crisco
- 1 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Decorations
- chocolate covered pretzel twists for the antlers
- M&M chocolate candy for the noses
- chocolate chips for the eyes
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375F degrees and spray baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring well with a fork.
Mixing Dough
- In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat shortening, brown sugar, peanut butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth and well-blended.
- Add the egg to the mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture, mixing until just combined without overmixing.
Forming & Baking
- Form dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet, using a cookie scoop if available.
- Pinch the bottom half of each cookie ball to create a reindeer face shape, then gently flatten it.
- Bake cookies one sheet at a time for approximately 8 minutes.
- While the cookies are baking, organize all your embellishments as you will need to work quickly once the cookies are out of the oven.
Decorating & Cooling
- Immediately after baking, while cookies are still warm, press red M&M’s for noses and chocolate chips (pointy side up) for eyes fairly close to the nose.
- Carefully add chocolate covered pretzel twists for antlers, ensuring they are solidly on the cookie near the eyes and gently applying pressure to secure them.
- Allow the decorated cookies to finish cooling completely.
