If you’re looking to add a sprinkle of magic and whimsy to your holiday baking, these Reindeer Cookies: Fun, Festive Holiday Cookies for All Ages Recipe are exactly what you need. These adorable cookies combine buttery, peanut buttery goodness with playful pretzel antlers and bright red candy noses that bring a smile to everyone’s face. Perfectly crispy on the edges and soft in the center, each bite delivers a delightful mix of flavors and textures that make holiday moments even sweeter. Whether baking with kids or giving them as charming gifts, this recipe is guaranteed to spread joy across your festive table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple pantry staples is all it takes to make these delightful Reindeer Cookies come to life. Each ingredient plays its part in balancing flavor, texture, and that signature festive look that everyone can’t wait to bite into.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and keeps cookies tender without overpowering sweetness.
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed: Brings deep caramel notes and moisture for chewy softness.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps cookies crisp up beautifully along the edges.
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy): Gives signature nutty flavor and moist texture crucial for these holiday treats.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add lift for a perfect cookie rise.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances all flavors with warm, sweet undertones.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base that holds the cookie shape firm yet soft.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Helps cookies rise just enough and stay tender.
- ½ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and heightens peanut butter flavor.
- 48 mini pretzels (2 per cookie for antlers): Adds a salty crunch and that playful reindeer look.
- 24 red chocolate candies or red M&M’s (for noses): Bright pops of color that make each cookie instantly festive.
- 48 mini chocolate chips (for eyes): Little details that bring the reindeer personalities to life.
How to Make Reindeer Cookies: Fun, Festive Holiday Cookies for All Ages Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s at the perfect heat for even baking. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze—a simple prep step that goes a long way.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, mix together softened butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Cream these together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This helps incorporate air for lightness and ensures your cookies will have that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully blending each before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract. These add richness and that warm, fragrant note that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix into Wet
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt to distribute everything evenly. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring just until everything is incorporated. This careful mixing preserves the perfect tender crumb.
Step 5: Shape Your Cookies
Scoop the dough into 1½-inch balls—a size that’s just right for the cute, bite-sized cookies we’re aiming for. Slightly flatten each ball to encourage even cooking and place them evenly spaced on your lined baking sheets.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching carefully. You’re looking for lightly golden edges with soft centers. This precise timing is what gives the cookies that classic chewy texture everyone loves.
Step 7: Decorate While Warm
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press two mini pretzels on the top to form antlers, two mini chocolate chips for eyes, and a single red chocolate candy right in the center as the nose. Doing this while the cookies are warm helps the decorations stick perfectly.
Step 8: Cool Completely Before Serving
Transfer your festive reindeer onto a wire rack to cool completely. This final step lets the cookies firm up just enough so the decorations stay put when handled, and your reindeer won’t lose their charm.
How to Serve Reindeer Cookies: Fun, Festive Holiday Cookies for All Ages Recipe
Garnishes
Consider dusting a little powdered sugar over your finished cookies to mimic a light dusting of snow—it adds a magical touch that enhances the festive feel. You can also serve alongside a small bowl of warm chocolate sauce for dipping to take the indulgence to another level.
Side Dishes
Pair your Reindeer Cookies with classic holiday beverages like rich hot cocoa or a spiced chai latte. For gatherings, a platter of assorted holiday treats such as gingerbread men or peppermint bark makes a wonderful complement, creating a festive and varied cookie table that’s perfect for sharing.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these lovable reindeer on a large serving platter surrounded by sprigs of fresh evergreen or cranberries for a stunning centerpiece. Wrapping individual cookies in clear cellophane tied with a festive ribbon also makes for charming edible gifts that guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully cooled, store your Reindeer Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, ready to satisfy any sweet tooth on demand.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. This method keeps them fresh for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
If you’d like your cookies warm again, pop them in a microwave for about 10 seconds or heat in a low oven for a few minutes. This will refresh their peanut buttery softness and bring out that fresh-baked aroma every time.
FAQs
Can I substitute the peanut butter for a different nut butter?
Absolutely! Almond or cashew butter can work well, though they may slightly change the flavor profile. Just make sure the substitute is creamy for the best cookie texture.
Are these cookies suitable for kids to help make?
Yes! This Reindeer Cookies: Fun, Festive Holiday Cookies for All Ages Recipe is perfect for baking with kids, especially the decorating step, which lets their creativity shine and adds to the holiday fun.
What if I don’t have red chocolate candies? What can I use?
You can use red M&M’s, cranberries, or even a small drop of red icing as a substitute for the reindeer noses—it’s all about that festive pop of color!
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes, using a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour can make these cookies gluten-free. Keep an eye on the dough consistency as sometimes gluten-free blends absorb differently.
Why do the pretzels work well as antlers?
The mini pretzels add a fun crunchy texture and their shape naturally resembles antlers, making the cookies instantly recognizable and festive. Plus, their salty flavor balances the sweetness perfectly.
Final Thoughts
Making these Reindeer Cookies: Fun, Festive Holiday Cookies for All Ages Recipe is like adding an extra dose of holiday cheer in cookie form. They’re easy to make, irresistibly tasty, and wonderfully fun to decorate. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just a cozy night in, these cookies have a special way of bringing people together and making memories sweeter. Give this recipe a try, and watch your holidays light up with smiles and happy bellies!
Print
Reindeer Cookies: Fun, Festive Holiday Cookies for All Ages Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Description
These Reindeer Cookies are adorable, festive treats perfect for the holiday season. Soft peanut butter cookies are decorated with pretzels for antlers, chocolate chips for eyes, and red candies for noses, making them fun for bakers of all ages to create and enjoy during Christmas celebrations.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Decorations
- 48 mini pretzels (2 per cookie for antlers)
- 24 red chocolate candies or red M&M’s (for noses)
- 48 mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, ensuring even texture in your cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate each before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to distribute the leavening agents and salt evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until fully combined and a dough forms.
- Form Cookies: Scoop the dough into 1½-inch balls using a cookie scoop or spoon. Slightly flatten each dough ball with your hands or a spatula, then arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown, signaling they are cooked through but still soft.
- Decorate: While the cookies are still warm, gently press two mini pretzels onto the top of each cookie to form antlers, place two mini chocolate chips for eyes, and add one red candy in the center to create the iconic reindeer nose.
- Cool: Transfer the decorated cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing to let them set perfectly.
Notes
- Using softened butter is key to achieving a creamy dough that mixes well.
- For best results, line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent cookies from sticking.
- Press decorations gently to avoid breaking the warm cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Peanut butter can be substituted with sunflower seed butter for nut-free variation.
