The Jolliest Christmas Reindeer Recipe for Holiday Fun

Magical christmas reindeer cookies spark joy in every kitchen, bringing whimsy to holiday baking.

Kids absolutely adore these playful treats that look just like adorable woodland creatures.

Cute pretzel antlers and chocolate chips create delightful faces that children will squeal over.

Festive decorations turn simple cookies into charming edible art pieces.

Chocolate melts and candies transform ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Baking together becomes a cherished moment of connection and creativity.

Gather the family and let your imagination run wild with these delightful reindeer-inspired sweets.

Why Christmas Reindeer Treats Are So Whimsical

• Quick and Easy Holiday Baking: Whip up these adorable reindeer cookies with minimal effort, perfect for busy families during the Christmas season.
• Kid-Friendly Decorating Adventure: Engage children in a fun, creative activity that transforms simple sugar cookies into cute reindeer faces using pretzels, chocolate chips, and candies.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Create delightful festive treats with basic pantry staples, making this recipe budget-friendly and accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Stress-Free Holiday Treat: Prepare these cookies in under 30 minutes, from mixing to baking, allowing more time to enjoy family moments during the holiday rush.

What You’ll Need For Christmas Reindeer Treats

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for creating a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. Choose unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie edge.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.

• Mini Pretzels, Mini Chocolate Chips, Red or Brown Candy: Create the adorable reindeer face details. Choose small pretzels for perfect antler shape, mini chocolate chips for eyes, and a bright red or brown candy for the nose.

How To Assemble Christmas Reindeer Treats

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350F (175C). Cover baking sheets with parchment paper. Gather your cookie-making tools and ingredients for a jolly baking adventure.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough

• Softened butter
• Sugar

Blend until the mixture becomes light and airy, about 2 minutes of mixing magic.

• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Mix until everything looks smooth and happy.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, creating a soft, delightful dough.

Step 4: Shape Adorable Cookies

Roll small portions of dough into cute little balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie. Use your fingers to gently press down each ball, creating a perfect base for our reindeer friends.

Step 5: Transform into Reindeer

• Mini pretzels for playful antlers
• Mini chocolate chips for sparkling eyes
• Festive colored candy for a cheerful nose

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a warm, golden brown.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. Your adorable reindeer cookies are ready to spread holiday cheer!

Tips For Making Cute Christmas Reindeer Treats

• Choose Quality Ingredients: Select fresh, room-temperature butter and high-quality vanilla extract to enhance the cookie's rich, buttery flavor and ensure a delightful taste experience.
• Prevent Spreading: Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to help maintain the reindeer shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Create Perfect Pretzel Antlers: Gently press mini pretzels into the cookie dough before baking, ensuring they're partially embedded to prevent falling off and create a cute, sturdy reindeer look.
• Customize Decorations: Swap chocolate chips with candy eyes or use different colored candies for noses to add a personal touch and make each reindeer cookie unique and fun.
• Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their adorable shape.

How To Store Christmas Reindeer Treats

• Seal freshly baked Christmas reindeer cookies in an airtight container to maintain their delightful crunch and flavor.
• Store these festive treats at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve the delicate decorations.
• Freeze unbaked cookie dough for up to 3 months by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and placing it in a freezer-safe bag.
• Thaw frozen dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking for the best results.

Fun Pairings For Christmas Reindeer Treats

• Brew Warm Comfort: Pair these adorable reindeer cookies with rich hot cocoa topped with marshmallows, creating a cozy holiday moment that warms both heart and hands.
• Milk Magic Companion: Serve cold whole milk alongside these cookies, letting the creamy sweetness complement the buttery cookie texture and make each bite feel like a festive celebration.
• Sweet Seasonal Sidekick: Enjoy a scoop of peppermint or vanilla ice cream with these cute reindeer cookies, transforming the treat into a delightful dessert that captures Christmas cheer.
• Spiced Companion Drink: Offer a warm mug of spiced apple cider with cinnamon sticks, providing a festive beverage that matches the cookies' holiday spirit and adds extra warmth to the experience.

Creative Reindeer Treat Variations

• Chocolate Chip Reindeer: Fold mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough for extra sweetness. Use chocolate-covered pretzels for antlers and add a drizzle of melted white chocolate for festive flair.
• Gluten-Free Holiday Buddies: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend. Use almond flour for a nutty undertone and gluten-free pretzels for antlers. Opt for dairy-free chocolate chips to accommodate various dietary needs.
• Spiced Winter Companions: Incorporate ground cinnamon and nutmeg into the cookie dough. Replace regular pretzels with cinnamon-coated pretzel sticks. Use darker chocolate chips for deeper flavor and top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
• Peppermint Reindeer Treats: Mix crushed candy canes into the dough. Use candy cane pieces for the nose and white chocolate chips for eyes. Drizzle melted candy cane chocolate over cooled cookies for a minty Christmas touch.

Christmas Reindeer FAQ Section

• What makes these Christmas reindeer cookies special?

These adorable cookies transform simple sugar cookies into cute holiday characters that bring instant joy and festive cheer to any Christmas gathering, making them perfect for kids and adults alike.

• Do I need any special baking skills to make these reindeer cookies?

Not at all! These cookies are super easy to create and require basic baking skills. Even beginners can successfully decorate these cute reindeer faces with simple ingredients like pretzels, chocolate chips, and candies.

• Can I prepare the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling and baking.

• What kind of candies work best for the reindeer nose?

Red or brown candies like M&M’s, red or brown candy-coated chocolates, or even red and brown jellybeans work perfectly to create the adorable reindeer nose.

Christmas Reindeer Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Magical Christmas Reindeer cookies blend festive cheer with whimsical charm, creating delightful treats that sparkle with holiday spirit. Sweet chocolate and cheerful decorations bring seasonal joy to your cookie platter.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour

Flavoring and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Decorative Ingredients:

• Mini pretzels (for antlers)
• Mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
• Red or brown candy-coated chocolates (like M&Ms, for noses)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring an even cooking surface.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth foundation for the dough.
3. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly to marry the ingredients and develop a rich, consistent base.
4. Separately combine flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking to eliminate potential lumps and create a uniform dry mixture.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft, pliable dough emerges.
6. Craft small spherical portions of dough, rolling them between palms and positioning them on the prepared baking sheets with adequate spacing.
7. Gently press each dough ball to create a flat surface, preparing the canvas for reindeer facial features.
8. Carefully position mini pretzels at the top of each cookie to simulate antler structures, ensuring symmetrical placement.
9. Delicately embed mini chocolate chips as eyes and place a vibrant red or brown candy to represent the characteristic reindeer nose.
10. Transfer the decorated cookies into the preheated oven, allowing them to bake for 10-12 minutes until edges acquire a gentle golden hue.
11. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheets for a brief 5-minute cooling period.
12. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete cooling and solidification of their festive design.

Notes

• Pretzel Placement Hack: Gently press mini pretzels into cookie dough before baking to ensure they stick perfectly without falling off during baking.
• Chocolate Chip Eye Trick: Use tweezers or a toothpick to precisely position mini chocolate chips for symmetrical and adorable reindeer faces.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend, ensuring the same tender texture while accommodating dietary restrictions.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, allowing for stress-free holiday baking and spontaneous festive treat creation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 196
• Sugar: 8.3 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 10.2 g
• Saturated Fat: 6.3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25.4 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.7 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg