Why You’ll Adore These Cute Christmas Reindeer Cookies

These aren’t just any holiday cookies; they’re a celebration of flavor, texture, and festive charm. Here’s why these delightful Christmas Reindeer Cookies will become your new favorite:

• Unforgettable Flavor Profile: Unlike standard sugar cookies, our recipe incorporates rich brown sugar and a hint of maple syrup. This unique combination deepens the cookie’s flavor, creating a warm, inviting taste that perfectly complements the festive spirit. It’s a comforting sweetness that stands out from the crowd.

• Perfect Soft & Chewy Texture: The dough bakes up to an ideal soft and chewy consistency, making each bite incredibly satisfying. This delightful texture also provides the perfect foundation for our charming reindeer decorations, ensuring they stick securely without crumbling.

• Effortless Festive Decoration: You don’t need to be an expert decorator to make these cookies look amazing! With just a few simple additions – crunchy mini pretzels for antlers, whimsical candy eyes, and vibrant red M&Ms for Rudolph’s iconic nose – you can transform a plain cookie into a festive masterpiece. It’s a fun and easy process that guarantees impressive results.

• Ideal for Gifting & Gatherings: These sturdy yet tender cookies hold their shape beautifully, making them perfect for gifting to neighbors, colleagues, or teachers. They’re also an excellent choice for holiday potlucks, cookie swaps, or any festive get-together, always eliciting oohs and aahs from guests.

• A Joyful Kitchen Activity: Decorating these cute reindeer cookies is an absolute blast, especially when shared with family and friends. It’s a wonderful opportunity to involve children in the baking process, sparking their creativity and filling your kitchen with laughter and holiday cheer. This activity is sure to create cherished memories.

• Versatile Holiday Treat: Whether you’re filling up a festive cookie tray, participating in a friendly cookie swap, or simply looking for a delightful snack for your holiday party, these cookies fit every occasion. Their whimsical appearance and delicious taste make them a universally loved treat that brightens any event.

Essential Ingredients for Your Rudolph Reindeer Cookies

Crafting the perfect batch of Christmas Reindeer Cookies is surprisingly simple with this easy-to-follow recipe. These adorable treats rely on common pantry staples and are absolutely perfect for a holiday cookie swap, a festive gathering, or a fun baking project with kids. Get ready to celebrate the holidays in the sweetest way possible by sharing these charming cookies with everyone you love!

For the Irresistible Brown Sugar Cookie Base:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• 1 large egg, plus 1 additional large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling the cookie dough)

For the Adorable Reindeer Decorations:

• Reindeer Eyes: Small candy eyes (readily available in baking aisles)
• Reindeer Antlers: Mini pretzels or pretzel twists (the smaller, thinner varieties work best)
• Reindeer Nose: Red M&Ms, red hots, or small red candy melts

Using high-quality ingredients will elevate the taste of your cookies. Ensure your butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming, which helps create a light and fluffy dough. Fresh spices like cinnamon will also make a noticeable difference in the overall aroma and flavor of your holiday cookies.

Simple Steps to Create Cute Reindeer Cookies for the Holiday Season

Follow these straightforward instructions to bake and decorate your festive reindeer cookies. This process is designed to be enjoyable for bakers of all skill levels, ensuring a fun experience from start to finish!

1. Prepare Your Baking Area: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Line several baking sheet pans with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze. Set these prepared pans aside.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Make sure these dry ingredients are thoroughly combined to ensure a consistent flavor and rise throughout your cookies. Set this mixture aside for later.
3. Cream the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter until it’s light and creamy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the butter, which contributes to the cookies’ soft and chewy texture.
4. Add Sugars and Syrup: Gradually add the brown sugar and maple syrup to the creamed butter. Continue beating on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. The brown sugar provides a deeper molasses flavor and extra chewiness, while maple syrup adds a subtle, warm sweetness.
5. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Mix in the large egg, the additional egg yolk, and the vanilla extract. Beat until all ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as it can lead to tougher cookies.
6. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture in the large bowl. Mix on low speed until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Stop mixing as soon as the flour streaks disappear to avoid developing too much gluten.
7. Portion the Dough: Using a large cookie scoop (approximately 3 tablespoons per scoop), portion the cookie dough onto your lined baking sheets. Leave some space between each scoop as the cookies will spread slightly.
8. Shape and Chill: Gently roll each portion of dough into smooth, uniform balls. Then, roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to create a sparkling, slightly crisp exterior. Place the sugar-coated dough balls back onto the lined baking sheets and chill them in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
9. Bake to Perfection: Place no more than 6 cookie dough balls per baking sheet to allow for proper airflow and even baking. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden, but the centers still look soft. This ensures a wonderfully chewy interior.
10. Decorate While Warm: This is the fun part! Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, while they are still warm and pliable, gently press two mini pretzels into the top for the antlers. Add two candy eyes just below the antlers, and carefully place a red M&M in the center for Rudolph’s bright red nose. The warmth of the cookies helps the decorations adhere securely.
11. Cool Completely: Allow the adorable reindeer cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly before you move them. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. This step is essential for achieving the perfect texture and preventing them from becoming soggy.

Tips for Storing Your Reindeer Christmas Cookies

To keep your festive reindeer cookies fresh and delicious for as long as possible, follow these simple storage guidelines:

• Room Temperature Storage: Store your decorated reindeer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay wonderfully fresh and chewy for up to 5 days. Ensure the container is truly airtight to prevent them from drying out.

• Freezing Undecorated Cookies: If you’re planning ahead for Christmas or want to prepare a large batch, you can freeze the undecorated baked cookies. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw the cookies at room temperature and then decorate them with pretzels, candy eyes, and M&Ms right before serving. This ensures the pretzels remain perfectly crisp.

• Freezing Cookie Dough: You can also freeze the cookie dough! After forming and rolling the dough balls in sugar, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Decorate them once they are out of the oven and still warm.

Creative Variations for Your Reindeer Christmas Cookies

While these Rudolph cookies are delightful as is, feel free to get creative and personalize them with these fun variations:

• Spiced Flavor Twist: For an extra layer of warmth and holiday aroma, add 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg or ginger (or a combination of both!) to the dry ingredients when mixing the dough. This creates a beautifully spiced cookie that’s perfect for winter.

• Alternative Noses: If red M&Ms aren’t your preference, try using small red gumdrops, red jelly beans, or even small red sprinkles clustered together for a different festive look on your Rudolph cookies. Edible pearls or small chocolate candies can also add a unique touch.

• Chocolate Lover’s Delight: For an indulgent twist, dip the bottom half or a corner of your completely cooled baked cookies in melted dark, milk, or white chocolate. Let the chocolate set on parchment paper before serving. You can even sprinkle some festive sprinkles on the melted chocolate for extra flair!

• Different Cookie Shapes: While round cookies are classic for reindeer, consider using a simple oval cookie cutter for a slightly different look. You could also try a gingerbread man cutter and decorate them as reindeer! The possibilities are endless.

• Glittering Antlers: After pressing in the pretzel antlers, brush them lightly with edible gold or silver glitter dust for an extra magical touch that will truly make your reindeer shine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reindeer Christmas Cookies

Here are some common questions to help you master your holiday cookie baking:

Can I prepare the cookie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for make-ahead baking. You can prepare the cookie dough up to 2 days in advance and store it, tightly covered, in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply let the dough sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before scooping and rolling.

Is it necessary to decorate the reindeer face while the cookies are still warm?

Yes, it is highly recommended! The warmth of the freshly baked cookies helps the pretzels, candy eyes, and M&M noses adhere securely to the surface as the cookies cool. If you wait until they are completely cool, the decorations may not stick as well and could fall off easily.

Can I double this Christmas Reindeer Cookies recipe?

You certainly can! This is an excellent recipe for doubling or even tripling, especially if you’re baking for a large holiday party, a school event, or preparing multiple gift boxes for friends and family. Just be sure to use a larger mixing bowl and potentially work in batches if your stand mixer has a smaller capacity.

What kind of pretzels work best for the antlers?

Mini pretzel twists or small, thin pretzel sticks work best. The goal is to find pretzels that are small enough to look proportional as antlers on your cookies. Avoid overly thick or heavily salted pretzels, as they might overwhelm the delicate cookie flavor.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Several factors help prevent spreading: ensuring your butter is softened but not melted, accurately measuring your flour, chilling the dough as instructed, and not overcrowding your baking sheets. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you might want to chill the scooped and rolled dough balls for a bit longer.

More Irresistible Christmas Treat Ideas

• 65 Best Christmas Cookies Recipes
• 65 Best Christmas Cookies Cookbook
• Christmas Cookie Bars
• M&M Christmas Cookies
• 60 Easy No Bake Christmas Treats
• Christmas Cowboy Cookies
• Santa’s Christmas Trash Cookies
• Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Ugly Sweater Christmas Cookies
• Vanilla Iced Oatmeal Cookies

Christmas Reindeer Cookies Recipe

These soft and chewy brown sugar cookies are charmingly decorated with pretzel antlers, sweet candy eyes, and vibrant red M&Ms to resemble festive reindeer. This simple and delightful Christmas cookie recipe is perfect for a fun baking session and sharing holiday cheer.

Author: Kim Lange

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 1 vote)

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 12 mins
• Chill Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 47 mins
• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: American
• Servings: 20 cookies
• Keywords: christmas cookies, holiday baking, reindeer cookies, Rudolph cookies

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ⅔ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup granulated sugar for rolling
• Small pretzels for antlers
• Candy eyeballs
• Red M&Ms for noses

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy.
4. Add brown sugar and maple syrup. Beat until light and fluffy.
5. Mix in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until combined.
6. Add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms.
7. Scoop dough into balls (about 3 tablespoons each).
8. Roll into smooth balls, coat in granulated sugar, and chill for 15–30 minutes.
9. Place 6 dough balls per sheet and bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set.
10. While cookies are still warm, gently press in pretzels for antlers, candy eyes, and a red M&M nose.
11. Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

• Dough can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before scooping.
• Cookies freeze well undecorated for up to 2 months. Decorate after thawing for best texture.
• Try swapping the cinnamon for nutmeg or ginger for a spiced version.

Nutrition Information (per cookie)

• Calories: 236 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0.4g
• Cholesterol: 42mg
• Sodium: 127mg
• Potassium: 70mg
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar: 23g
• Vitamin A: 309 IU
• Vitamin C: 0.002mg
• Calcium: 32mg
• Iron: 1mg

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