These Reindeer cookies are the perfect treat to get you in the Christmas spirit. Not only are they super cute and festive, but they're also incredibly delicious. With the perfect combination of rich peanut butter, chocolate, salty pretzels, and sweet candies.
These reindeer cookies are so easy and fun to make, even the kids can join in on the action. It's a great way to spend quality time with the family and create some precious holiday memories.
Your friends, neighbors, and coworkers will be blown away when you share these charming little reindeer with them. They make the perfect edible gift for spreading joy and warming hearts during the most wonderful time of the year.
Why You Will Love This Reindeer Cookies
Let me count the reasons to love these tasty bites!
Adorable and festive design - These cookies are shaped and decorated to look like cute little reindeer, making them an incredibly charming and fun holiday treat. The reindeer faces with pretzel antlers, candy noses, and chocolate chip eyes are simply delightful.
Delicious flavor combinations - It combines rich peanut butter or chocolate cookie dough with sweet candies and pretzels for great flavor and texture contrast. The mix of salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy elements makes them irresistible.
Kid-friendly and fun to make - Decorating the reindeer faces allows kids to get creative and hands-on with the baking process. The simple assembly makes it an easy recipe for children to help with.
Perfect for gifting- Their cute appearance and portability make these reindeer cookies ideal for packaging up as edible gifts for friends, neighbors, teachers, etc. during the holidays.
Nostalgic and whimsical - There's something nostalgic and whimsical about shaping cookies into reindeer that taps into the childlike wonder of Christmas. They're bound to bring smiles.
INGREDIENTS
These Reindeer Cookies come together with a list of simple ingredients:
- Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and flavor to the cookies.
- Vegetable Shortening: This helps the cookies bake up taller and gives a soft, tender texture.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds that iconic peanut butter taste and moisture.
- Granulated and Brown Sugars: The perfect sweet duo for chewiness and depth of flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Eggs: Bind the dough together and provide structure.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for the cookie dough.
- Baking Soda: Leavening agent for a slight rise and spread.
- Salt: Balances and enhances the flavors.
- Mini Pretzel Twists: Become the adorable reindeer antlers.
- Rolo Candies: Transform into the reindeer's chocolate nose.
- Red M&M Candies: The bright red nose brings Rudolph to life.
- Candy Eyes or Chocolate Chips: Give the reindeer their expressive eyes.
- Decorating Frosting: This helps secure the candies and adds a festive touch.
How To Make This Reindeer Cookies
Here are the easy steps for making homemade Reindeer Cookies:
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix. The dough will be soft. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 days.
Step 5: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 6: Scoop dough into balls and roll them into oval shapes. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 7: Bake for 9-12 minutes until set but not browned.
Step 8: Remove the cookies from the oven. Immediately press 2 pretzel twists into the top for antlers, a Rolo candy in the center for the nose, and 2 candy eyes or chocolate chips for the eyes.
Step 9: Dot a small amount of frosting on the Rolo candy and press a red M&M's on top of the nose.
Step 10: Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
Tips For The Best Reindeer Cookies
Here are my top tips to ensure your Cookies are perfect:
- Chill the dough thoroughly: before baking. This firms it up for easier shaping and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Work quickly: when assembling the reindeer features right after baking, as the cookies will be soft and the candies will adhere best while still warm.
- Get creative: with different candy options for the nose (red M&Ms, red Skittles), eyes (chocolate chips, candy eyeballs), and antlers (pretzel twists, candy canes).
- Underbaked centers: are key for keeping the cookies soft and chewy once cooled. Watch closely and remove from oven when centers still look slightly underdone.
How To Store
Follow these steps to store leftover Reindeer Cookies so you can enjoy them again!
Storing: Once baked and cooled completely, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days.
Freezing: Allow the baked cookies to cool completely before freezing. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1 hour. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Place frozen cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 5-8 minutes until warmed through.
Reindeer Cookies
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Ingredients
- 80 g 0.35 cups unsalted butter
- 80 g 0.35 cups vegetable shortening
- 150 g 0.66 cups creamy peanut butter
- 150 g 0.66 cups granulated sugar
- 150 g 0.66 cups packed light brown sugar
- 7.5 ml 0.33 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs approx. 100g or 0.44 cups
- 265 g 2.1 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 g 0.67 teaspoon baking soda
- 2.5 g 0.17 teaspoon salt
- 24 mini pretzel twists approx. 60g or 2.1oz
- 12 Rolo candies approx. 60g or 2.1oz
- 12 red M&M candies approx. 30g or 1oz
- 24 candy eyes or mini chocolate chips approx. 30g or 1oz
- 20 g 0.67 small tube decorating frosting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, shortening, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix. The dough will be soft. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 days.
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough into large balls and roll into oval shapes. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 9-12 minutes until set but not browned.
- Remove from oven and immediately press 2 pretzel twists into the top for ears. Press a Rolo candy in the center of the nose. Add 2 candy eyes or chocolate chips for eyes. Dot a small amount of frosting on the Rolo and press a red M&M on top of the nose.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- The vegetable shortening helps the cookies bake up taller and gives a soft texture, but you can substitute all butter if preferred.
- Cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking.
- Baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
While creamy peanut butter is recommended for a smoother texture, you can use crunchy if you prefer some peanut crunch in your cookies.
Can I customize these Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies with different decorations?
Yes, you can get creative and use various candies or icing to customize the decorations on the reindeer cookies according to your preferences.
Q: How long should I allow the cookies to cool before decorating?
Allow the cookies to cool completely before adding the reindeer decorations to ensure they stick to the cookie surface properly.
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