These Reindeer Cookies are made with a sugar cookie mix, pretzels and candy pieces. They're fun Christmas cookies the kids will love to help you bake.
I think they would make great gifts to give to teachers and neighbors as well.
Check out all the other Reindeer Desserts and ideas to make with the kids over the holidays.
These Reindeer Cookies were inspired by my Reindeer Treats Recipe published on this site recently. It also would be a great addition to any of the Santa's Reindeer Treats from a few years ago.
I wanted to have a few more treats and snacks for Rudolph for my readers to use for their children and grandchildren. It's always fun to get in the kitchen with the kids over the holidays.
Table of Contents
How to Decorate a Reindeer Cookie
Transform these simple refrigerated dough cookies into adorable reindeer cookies with just a few simple decorating techniques!
If you want more detail than what I'm showing below, try using brown icing for the head and antlers, adding white icing for eyes and a red candy for the nose.
Use pretzel twists to create the antlers. And if you want add a few finishing touches like rosy cheeks, edible glitter, and maybe even a holly sprig.
Looking for MORE treats to make for Santa and his reindeer?
Check out my Santa's Treats Digital Cookbook. It's filled with 10 deliciously simple recipes for reindeer treats, cupcakes, pretzels, candies, and hot cocoa. They're perfect for spreading the joy of FOOD this holiday season!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Variations
- Brownies- use a brownie mix and bake the brownies first in the pan and then use a round cookie cutter, cut out shapes and decorate the brownies to look like Rudolph.
- Decorating Icing - bake the cookies first and then using decorating icing, pipe on the eyes and red nose.
- See my Reindeer Cupcakes Recipe on my website for a slightly different treat to make for Santa.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Combine the cookie mix with the cocoa powdered, softened butter and egg.
Step 2: Using a hand mixer, combine the ingredients until a soft dough is formed.
Step 3: Roll into a dough and chill for 30 minutes.
Quick Tip
Instead of rolling the sugar cookie dough with regular flour, use cocoa powder.
Step 4: Roll the dough out using a rolling pin to about ¼ inch thick.
Step 5: Using a round cookie cutter, cut out the rounds that will form the reindeer face.
Step 6: Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Baking Instructions
Step 7: Gently stretch out the rounds to make a slightly oval shape for the face. Add two pretzels at the top of the cookies for the antlers.
Step 8: Gently press in two blue M&Ms into the dough for eyes and one red M&M for the nose. Bake for 8 minutes.
Step 9: Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes before removing to a cooling rack.
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Storing Tips
Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Freezer: I wouldn't freeze these cookies as it might change the texture of the pretzels and the color of the M&Ms.
More Cute Christmas Treats
📖 Recipe Card
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.
Reindeer Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 package Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Mix; 17.5 ounce size bag
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 1 stick butter; softened
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, add cookie mix, cocoa powder, softened butter and egg.
- Using a hand mixer, combine the ingredients until a soft dough is formed.
- Roll into a ball and chill for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle a little cocoa powder on your work surface. Place dough on top of the cocoa powder. Dust the rolling pin with the cocoa powder.
- Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thick.
- Cut out cookies with a round cookie cutter. Carefully stretch the cookie rounds to make them a slightly oval shape. Place them on the baking sheets.
- Add two pretzels under the top of the cookie for the antlers.
- Gently press two blue M&Ms into the dough for the eyes and one red M&M for the nose on each cookie.
- Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Repeat until all the cookies have been baked.
Notes
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Michelle Ayers says
So cute!
Lois says
Thank you Michelle!