Festive Reindeer Cookies

Name: Festive Reindeer Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups all purpose flour; 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup chocolate chips; Pretzels for antlers; Candy eyes; Red candies for noses

These fudgy reindeer cookies are the perfect holiday treat to bake and decorate with your little ones.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 30, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

12 minutes

Total

32 minutes

Serves

There is nothing I love more than getting the kitchen messy with my grandkids during the holidays. These reindeer cookies are always a hit because they are soft and chocolatey, and they look just adorable once you add their little faces.

Since this dough is nice and thick, it is easy for kids to help roll the balls. My best tip is to get all your candy decorations ready in small bowls before you start, so you can decorate the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven.

🧺 Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips
Pretzels for antlers
Candy eyes
Red candies for noses

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4
Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture until combined.
5
Fold in the chocolate chips with a spoon.
6
Roll the dough into small balls and place them on your prepared baking sheet.
7
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set.
8
Remove from the oven and immediately press two pretzel pieces into the top for antlers, two candy eyes into the dough, and a red candy for the nose.
9
Let the cookies cool completely on the pan so the decorations stay in place.

💡 Tips

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies without the decorations and add them once they thaw.

#cookies #holiday #dessert #baking #vegetarian

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