The holiday season is all about warmth, joy, and creating sweet memories in the kitchen. These Easy Reindeer Cookies capture the magic of Christmas with their delightful reindeer design and homemade charm. Perfect for bakers of any skill level, this recipe combines simple ingredients and straightforward steps to deliver soft, chewy cookies that everyone will adore. Whether you’re baking for a festive party, a gift, or just to satisfy your holiday sweet tooth, these charming cookies will bring smiles and festive cheer to your holiday celebrations.
Pair them with other festive treats like the light and fluffy Christmas Tree Meringues, or indulge in the rich flavors of a Chocolate Cake Roll with Rich Creamy Filling. For something fruity and fresh, don’t miss the Fluffy Mixed Berry Muffins — perfect for holiday breakfasts or brunches.
Why You’ll Love Easy Reindeer Cookies
These delightful cookies bring holiday cheer with every bite! Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Festive and fun design that kids and adults adore
- Simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry
- Quick and easy to make, great for last-minute holiday baking
- Perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting
- Soft and chewy texture with a delicious vanilla flavor
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Mini pretzel twists (for antlers)
- Red candy-coated chocolates (for noses)
- Mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Press two mini chocolate chips onto each dough ball for the eyes.
- Add a red candy-coated chocolate near the bottom edge for the reindeer nose.
- Break mini pretzels in half and gently press them into the tops of the dough balls to create antlers.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Easy Reindeer Cookies
Easy Reindeer Cookies are charming and delicious served on any festive occasion. Serve them on a holiday cookie platter alongside other favorite treats for your Christmas party guests. They pair wonderfully with hot chocolate, coffee, or eggnog.
For a fun presentation:
- Arrange the cookies on a decorative holiday plate or a tiered serving tray.
- Include peppermint sticks or candy canes around the platter for extra holiday flair.
- Use festive napkins and cups to enhance the holiday vibe.
- Package them in clear gift bags tied with a ribbon for gifting to neighbors or coworkers.
These cookies also make a delightful treat for children’s holiday gatherings or classroom parties because of their playful design.
How to Store Easy Reindeer Cookies
To keep your Easy Reindeer Cookies fresh and tasty:
- Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- If you want to extend their freshness, place parchment paper between layers of cookies before sealing the container.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature before serving.
- Avoid storing cookies near strong-smelling foods as they can absorb odors.
Proper storage helps to maintain the soft and chewy texture that makes these cookies so enjoyable.
Tips to Make Easy Reindeer Cookies
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming with the sugar, which helps achieve a light texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour to avoid tough cookies.
- Press the decorations (pretzels, candies, chocolate chips) gently so they stay embedded during baking.
- If you want extra chocolate flavor, substitute the chocolate chips with mini white chocolate chips for a fun contrast.
- Consider chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking if it feels too soft to handle easily.
- Customize the red candy for the nose using different colors or shapes, like red M&Ms or red jelly beans.
- Use a cookie scoop to ensure even-sized cookies for consistent baking.
Variations of Easy Reindeer Cookies
Give these cookies a festive twist with these variations:
- Chocolate Reindeer Cookies: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolate base.
- Peppermint Reindeer Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract to the dough and decorate with crushed candy canes.
- Sugar Cookies: Use classic sugar cookie dough and decorate with colorful icing in addition to pretzel antlers.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for a safe option.
- Vegan Twist: Use vegan butter and substitute the egg with a flax egg or applesauce.
These variations allow you to tailor the cookies to your taste and dietary preferences.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use regular candy instead of red candy-coated chocolates for the nose?
A: Yes, small red candies like M&Ms or red jelly beans work perfectly as well.
Q2: How long do Easy Reindeer Cookies last?
A: When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they last about 5 days.
Q3: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and keep it refrigerated, or freeze it for longer storage.
Q4: What can I use instead of pretzels for antlers?
A: Thinly sliced almonds or small candy canes can be fun alternatives to pretzels.
Final Thoughts
Easy Reindeer Cookies are a festive and heartwarming treat that brings the spirit of the holidays right into your kitchen. Their adorable look and straightforward recipe make them perfect for bakers of all levels. Plus, they’re a crowd-pleaser at any seasonal gathering. By following these tips and variations, you can create your own batch of holiday magic.
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Print
Easy Reindeer Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Reindeer Cookies are fun, festive, and perfect for holiday baking. Soft, chewy, and decorated with pretzel antlers and candy noses to delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Mini pretzel twists (for antlers)
- Red candy-coated chocolates (for noses)
- Mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg and vanilla extract until combined.
4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients.
5. Roll dough into 1-inch balls; place on baking sheet 2 inches apart.
6. Press two mini chocolate chips for eyes on each ball.
7. Add a red candy near bottom edge for the nose.
8. Insert half pretzels at top for antlers.
9. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
10. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes before moving to wire rack.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.
Freeze for longer storage, thaw before serving.
For variation, try adding cocoa powder or peppermint extract.
Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg