Name: Christmas Reindeer Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 13.5 oz. Pillsbury sugar cookie dough; 32 mini pretzel twists; 32 mini chocolate chips; 16 red M&M's candy; 2 tablespoon chocolate icing

Jump to Recipe

These semi-homemade reindeer cookies are absolutely precious! I love anything reindeer themed around the holidays, so these are definitely a hit with me! These easy cookies are a perfect last-minute idea for a Christmas party or to tuck into lunch boxes. Kids absolutely love them, and since you can so easily make them in just a few minutes, they are a great last-minute treat.

Reindeer Cookies Recipe

I'm a pretty huge fan of semi-homemade recipes. I love everything homemade, don't get me wrong, but sometimes, you just need something easy. Using store-bought cookie dough, you'll be able to make an adorable little cookie in minutes without having to mess up the kitchen. This makes an easy choice for last-minute desserts and frees up your time to hang out with your kids playing games or watching Christmas movies.

Reindeer are always a hit with me. I love the cute little critters in both cartoon and real life form. If you want to create a fun reindeer themed platter, add reindeer rice krispie treats, reindeer poop Oreo truffles, Rudolph peanut butter cookies, reindeer truffles, or even reindeer chow snack mix!

How Long Can You Keep Baked Cookies in the Fridge?

Cookies are best when freshly made, but if you make larger batches, you can easily keep them for longer. On the countertop, I like to recommend eating them within 3-4 days of baking. That is, as long as you keep them in an airtight container.

Refrigerated cookies can last up to 10 days easily. Just make sure you keep them in airtight containers or Ziploc bags that have been labeled and dated. Of course, I doubt these will last that long because they are so fun to make and eat! The main part is keeping them in an airtight container so they don't get stale or moldy.

What Can I Use to Make Reindeer Faces

My favorite way to make faces is with candy and pretzels. These are the easiest, but not the only way! Get creative in making faces. You can also let the kids help you make these by adding unique looks to them or customizing them to fit their needs. Tons of fun ways to create reindeer faces that are adorable and delicious! Below are some other ideas.

Colored icing piped as a mouth, eyes, and nose.
Candy pieces shaped like eyes, mouth, or nose.
Cinnamon imperials (Red Hots) as noses.
Reese's Pieces candy as eyes or nose.
Plain pretzels as ears.
Candy licorice pieces as ears.
Sixlets candy

You might also add fur to your reindeer by using this idea from reindeer sugar cookies that uses colored coconut shreds as fur. Such a cute idea that kids will absolutely love making with you. The best part of making this recipe is doing so with your kids. You can really get creative with them helping and they don't have to be perfect. All they have to be is delicious!

Can You Make These With Different Cookie Flavors?

You can definitely make these with different cookie flavors. I used sugar cookie dough for this version, but that doesn't mean you have to do the same. Below are some flavors that might also be yummy for this reindeer cookies idea.

Peanut butter
Chocolate chip
Gingerbread
Snickerdoodle
Pumpkin
Funfetti
Caramel
Chocolate
Cookies and cream

You can also make your own cookie dough if you prefer. I like to keep a batch of sugar cookie dough in my freezer at all times. So, this recipe is easy to whip up at any time. You can do the same if you prefer, or simply pick up any bag of mix or already prepared dough in the grocery store.

Ingredients

Cookie dough
Chocolate covered mini pretzels
Red M&M's
Mini chocolate chips

Optional: Icing to hold face in place

How to Make Reindeer Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make sugar cookie dough or open package if using already prepared dough.

Using a cookie scoop, form balls of dough.

Press the ball down until flattened into a circle, then pinch the sides into a cure on one end to create an angled face shape instead of a completely round cookie.

Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes or until just golden on the bottom.

Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Using icing, attach two pretzels at the top rounded side for ears.

Add two chocolate chips for the eyes and an M&M for the mouth.

Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

More Christmas Dessert Recipes

Need more ideas for your holiday dessert buffet? We have tons of great options that are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for kids and adults. There are tons of tasty options that are easy to make, and you are sure to love everything on this list! Plus, most of these ideas are also great for making with kids. I love making candies and treats with the kids during the holiday season.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 16

Christmas Reindeer Cookies Recipe

Use ready-made cookie dough to create a delicious homemade reindeer cookies recipe! These are a perfect Christmas cookie you'll love!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 5 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

13.5 oz. Pillsbury sugar cookie dough
32 mini pretzel twists
32 mini chocolate chips
16 red M&M's candy
2 tablespoon chocolate icing

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make sugar cookie dough or open package if using already prepared dough.
Using a cookie scoop, form balls of dough.
Press the ball down until flattened into a circle, then pinch the sides into a cure on one end to create a angled face shape instead of completely round cookie.
Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes or until just golden on the bottom.
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Using icing, attach two pretzels at the top rounded side for ears.
Add two chocolate chips for eyes and an M&M for the mouth.
Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.