Reindeer Cookies

Total Time
Prep: 45 min. + standing

Updated Aug. 13, 2024

Gather 'round the tree on Christmas Eve and feast on these adorable reindeer cookies. They couldn't be easier to decorate, and if you listen closely, you might hear reindeer hooves on the roof!

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There’s nothing like reindeer cookies to get you in the holiday spirit, especially when paired with a mug of hot cocoa and the sounds of Christmas carols. The best thing about these cookies (other than how adorable they are) is that they’re no-bake and fun to put together, so everyone can pitch in. All it takes is a few minutes of assembling ingredients and decorating, and you’ve got a batch of festive cookies ready to enjoy.

Ingredients for Reindeer Cookies

Taste Of Home Reindeer CookiesSofia Felguerez for Taste of Home

  • Dark chocolate candy coating: You could also replace the chocolate candy coating with icing if you’d prefer.
  • Nutter Butter cookies: Nutter Butters are great to use here because they look like reindeer heads once you’ve decorated them.
  • Miniature marshmallows: Cut the marshmallows into halves to use for the eyes.
  • Decorating icing: The icing draws out the reindeer features. If you don’t have decorating icing, you could decorate using brown M&M’s for the eyes and red M&M’s for the nose (leaving out the marshmallows).
  • M&M’s or Red Hots: Make sure to gently press these on (face down, so you don’t see the logo) so you don’t break the cookie.
  • Miniature pretzels: Place the pretzels into the candy coating or frosting so they stay put.

Directions

Step 1: Dip the cookies in chocolate

Taste Of Home Reindeer CookiesSofia Felguerez for Taste of Home

In a microwave, melt the candy coating and stir until smooth. Dip each cookie in chocolate; allow the excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper.

Step 2: Decorate the tops

Taste Of Home Reindeer CookiesSofia Felguerez for Taste of Home

Attach two marshmallow halves onto the cookies for eyes; add decorating icing for the pupils and a mouth. Add an M&M or Red Hot for the nose. Attach pretzels or pretzel pieces for antlers. Let stand until set.

Taste Of Home Reindeer CookiesSofia Felguerez for Taste of Home

Reindeer Cookie Variations

  • Ramp up the peanut butter: Instead of candy coating or frosting, coat the cookies in peanut butter.
  • Find different ways to decorate: Feel free to get creative here. Use other types of candy or frosting, pipe white icing on the antlers or decorate however you see fit.

How to Store Reindeer Cookies

Reindeer Christmas cookies are really best enjoyed as soon as you make them, but you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days if you’d like.

Can I freeze reindeer cookies?

No, we wouldn’t recommend freezing these cookies.

Reindeer Cookie Tips

Taste Of Home Reindeer CookiesSofia Felguerez for Taste of Home

Can I use other types of cookies for this recipe?

You could, but Nutter Butters work well for this recipe because they resemble a reindeer head.

Can I bake cookies to use for this recipe?

Yes, you could bake your own Nutter Butters to use here.

Is there a vegan version of reindeer cookies?

Yes. Make your own (vegan) Nutter Butters using peanut butter, almond flour and maple syrup, then use dairy-free chocolate candy coating and classic Skittles instead of M&M’s.

Watch How to Make Reindeer Cookies

Reindeer Cookies

Prep Time 45 min
Yield 32 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 pounds dark chocolate candy coating, chopped
  • 1 package (16 ounces) Nutter Butter cookies
  • 32 miniature marshmallows, cut in half crosswise
  • Decorating icing
  • 32 M&M's or Red Hots
  • 64 miniature pretzels

Directions

  1. In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip 1 cookie in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper.
  2. Attach 2 marshmallow halves onto cookie for eyes; add decorating icing for pupils and a mouth. Add an M&M or Red Hot for nose. Attach pretzels or pretzel pieces for antlers. Repeat with remaining cookies. Let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 182 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 111mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.

Gather 'round the tree on Christmas Eve and feast on these adorable reindeer cookies. If you listen closely, you might heard reindeer hoofs on the roof! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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