Deck the Halls with Delightful Reindeer Cookies

The scent of baking spices, the twinkle of fairy lights, and the promise of a season filled with joy – these are the hallmarks of the holidays. For me, the season truly kicks off when my kitchen transforms into a festive wonderland, buzzing with the energy of creating edible treasures. Last year, a sweet discovery found its way into my repertoire: Reindeer Cookies. They were an absolute hit with the children in my Sunday School class, bringing squeals of delight and eager little hands reaching for more. Their charm lies not just in their irresistible taste, but in their utter ease of creation and their wonderfully festive appearance on any holiday cookie tray.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: Approximately 36 cookies
• Yield: 3 dozen
• Dietary Type: Contains Dairy, Eggs, Gluten, and Peanut

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step in any culinary adventure. For these charming Reindeer Cookies, you’ll need a delightful blend of pantry staples and a few special additions that bring the magic to life.

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (scant measurement – this means slightly less than a full cup, gently leveled off)

For Decoration:

• 1 bag (approximately 300g) small pretzels (heart-shaped ones work wonderfully)
• 1 bag (approximately 250g) M&M’s (choose red for noses and green for eyes, or get creative with your color palette!)

Equipment Needed

You won’t need a whole brigade of specialized tools for this recipe. The following essentials will see you through:

• Large mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats (optional, for easy cleanup)
• Cooling rack

Instructions

The magic of these Reindeer Cookies unfolds step-by-step, each one bringing you closer to a delightful holiday treat. Follow these instructions closely for the best results.

1. Cream the Foundation: In a large mixing bowl, begin by creaming together the softened butter, smooth peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This aeration process is crucial for a tender cookie.
2. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Next, beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should look smooth and glossy.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this can lead to tough cookies. The dough should be thick and manageable.
4. Shape the Reindeer Base: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, if desired. Roll the cookie dough into balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them to allow for spreading.
5. Craft the Festive Shapes: Gently flatten each cookie ball with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass. Now comes the fun part: shape the flattened dough into a triangle. You can gently pinch and pull the dough to create a rough triangular shape.
6. Adorn Your Reindeer: Before baking, it’s time to give your cookies their festive features. Carefully place two small pretzel pieces into the two upper corners of each triangle to form the reindeer’s antlers. Then, press one red M&M into the bottom corner to create the adorable red nose. Finally, place two green M&M’s onto the cookie surface to represent the eyes.
7. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking sheets to the preheated oven. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.
8. Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Expert Tips & Tricks

As a chef, I always look for ways to elevate a good recipe into a great one. Here are a few tips to make your Reindeer Cookie experience even more delightful:

• Scant Flour Measurement: The “scant” measurement for flour is important. Too much flour can make cookies dry and crumbly. Measure your flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling off the top with a straight edge rather than scooping directly from the bag, which compacts the flour.
• Dough Consistency: If your dough feels too sticky to handle, you can refrigerate it for about 15-20 minutes before shaping. This will make it firmer and easier to work with.
• Pretzel Placement: For antlers that stay put, gently press the pretzel pieces into the warm cookie dough. If you find they’re falling off, a tiny dab of melted chocolate or cookie icing can act as edible glue.
• Candy Customization: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your M&M colors! Rainbow reindeer are just as festive. You could also use mini chocolate chips for eyes if M&M’s aren’t your preference.
• Uniformity in Baking: For even baking, ensure your cookie balls are roughly the same size. This helps them bake at the same rate.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

These Reindeer Cookies are a visual and culinary treat, perfect for any holiday gathering.

• Serving: Arrange them artfully on a festive platter. They look especially magical nestled amongst other holiday cookies or alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk. Their charm is undeniable, and they’re always a conversation starter.
• Storage: Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you need to store them for longer, they can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Nutritional Information

This nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on exact ingredient brands and quantities used.

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	2882.2 kcal	–
Calories from Fat	1164 kcal	–
Total Fat	129.3 g	199%
Saturated Fat	60.5 g	302%
Cholesterol	298.4 mg	99%
Sodium	3643 mg	151%
Total Carbohydrate	390.5 g	130%
Dietary Fiber	13.9 g	55%
Sugars	202.1 g	808%
Protein	53.4 g	106%

Variations & Substitutions

While these cookies are delightful as is, here are a few ideas for variations and substitutions to tailor them to your needs or preferences:

• Nut-Free Alternative: For a nut-free version, substitute the peanut butter with a seed butter (like sunflower seed butter) or a nut-free cookie spread. Ensure your pretzels and M&M’s are also nut-free certified if allergies are a concern.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. You may need to slightly adjust the amount of flour for the correct dough consistency.
• Decorative Twists: Instead of M&M’s, try using small round candies for eyes or even tiny white chocolate chips. A dusting of edible glitter or powdered sugar after baking can add an extra touch of winter magic.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Why is the flour measurement listed as “scant”?
A: A “scant” measurement means slightly less than a full cup, gently leveled. This helps prevent the cookies from becoming too dry or dense.

Q: My pretzel antlers keep falling off. What can I do?
A: Gently press the pretzel pieces into the cookie dough before baking. If they still loosen, a tiny bit of melted chocolate or edible glue applied after baking can secure them.

Q: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: Yes! The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days. You can also bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container for several days.

Q: What if I don’t have heart-shaped pretzels?
A: Any small, simple pretzel shape will work for antlers. You can also break larger pretzels into smaller pieces to achieve the desired look.

Q: Can I skip the peanut butter?
A: While peanut butter provides a wonderful flavor and texture, you can substitute it with another smooth nut butter or a seed butter if needed.

Final Thoughts

Creating these Reindeer Cookies is more than just baking; it’s about weaving a little bit of holiday magic into your kitchen and your celebrations. The smiles they bring, the laughter shared as little hands help decorate, and the sheer joy of a perfectly formed reindeer cookie – it’s what the season is all about. So, gather your loved ones, put on some festive music, and let the aroma of these delightful cookies fill your home. They are best enjoyed with a generous serving of holiday cheer, perhaps alongside a warm mug of spiced cider or a rich hot chocolate. May your holidays be as sweet and bright as these charming reindeer.