Jolly Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe for Magical Holidays

Chocolate-dipped cookies with playful reindeer peanut butter shapes bring holiday cheer to every dessert table.

These adorable treats capture the magic of winter celebrations with their whimsical design.

Rudolph-inspired cookies sparkle with chocolate antlers and candy eyes that make kids and adults smile.

Sweet peanut butter becomes the perfect canvas for creating festive animal characters.

Simple ingredients and minimal decorating skills help you craft these delightful cookies in minutes.

Each bite delivers a delicious blend of chocolate and peanut butter that embodies seasonal joy.

Bake a batch and watch faces light up with pure Christmas delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 24

What’s Inside: Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Essentials

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender texture and supports smooth blending of ingredients.
• Peanut Butter: Delivers signature nutty flavor and provides creamy consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cookies and helps with crisp exterior.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth of flavor and helps cookies stay soft and moist.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure to cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet undertones.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundation of cookie structure with balanced texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor.

• Mini Pretzels: Creates adorable reindeer antler shape with crunchy texture.
• Candy Eyes: Adds whimsical character to cookie design.
• Red Candy Nose: Completes playful reindeer appearance, perfect for holiday cheer.

Tools to Master Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly and easily.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for beating butter and sugars to creamy perfection.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients separately.
• Baking sheets: Crucial for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and crisp up.
• Rolling tool (optional): Can help shape dough into consistent balls.

How to Make Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies with Ease

• Whip Up the Cookie Base

Cream together butter, peanut butter, and sugars until smooth and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

• Merge Dry Ingredients

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a soft dough.

• Chill the Dough

Refrigerate dough for half an hour to make it easier to handle and shape.

• Prepare Baking Surface

Heat oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

• Shape and Form Cookies

Roll dough into small balls, placing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball with your hand or a glass bottom.

• Bake to Perfection

Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges are set. Cookies will be soft initially but firm up while cooling.

• Create Reindeer Magic

While cookies are still warm, press mini pretzels at the top for antlers. Add candy eyes and a red candy nose to transform cookies into adorable reindeer.

• Cool and Serve

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Arrange on a festive platter or package as delightful holiday gifts.

Make Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Yours with These Tips

• Pro Baker's Reindeer Cookie Secrets
• Chill Dough Magic: Refrigerating the dough helps prevent spreading and creates perfectly shaped cookies with crisp edges. Cold dough handles more easily and develops richer flavor.
• Pretzel Placement Pro: Gently press pretzels into warm cookies to ensure they stick without breaking. Let them cool slightly before adding candy decorations for best adhesion.
• Make-Ahead Happiness: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months for instant holiday baking.
• Allergy-Friendly Twist: Swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for nut-free version. Use gluten-free pretzels and alternative flour for celiac-friendly cookies that everyone can enjoy.
• Decoration Drama: Get creative with candy colors! Use different colored candies for eyes and noses to make each reindeer cookie unique. White chocolate drizzle can add extra festive flair.

Serving Ideas to Showcase Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

• Holiday Party Platter: Create a whimsical reindeer cookie display by arranging cookies in a sleigh-like formation with green and red sprinkles scattered around for festive cheer.
• Cookie Gift Packaging: Wrap batches of cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, adding a small holiday tag for a personalized touch that makes gift-giving extra special.
• Kids' Decorating Station: Set up a fun decorating area where children can add their own creative flair by placing additional candy eyes, colored candies, or sprinkles on the reindeer cookies.
• Milk Pairing Suggestion: Serve these adorable cookies alongside cold milk in festive mugs or with hot chocolate for a classic winter treat that brings smiles to everyone's faces.

Keep Your Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Fresh Longer

• Cookie Chill Method: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to enhance texture and make shaping easier, preventing sticky hands during cookie creation.
• Smart Storage Strategy: Keep cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain shape and prevent sticking.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Wrap cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for holiday sharing or creating charming homemade presents for friends and family.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months in sealed freezer bag; thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking for quick, fresh cookies anytime.

Festive Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Festive peanut butter reindeer cookies bring holiday cheer with playful chocolate and pretzel antlers. Chocolate chips and candy eyes complete these whimsical treats that delight children and adults at winter gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (125 g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• Mini pretzels
• Candy eyes
• Red candy-coated chocolates

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Mix butter, peanut butter, and sugars until creamy and well-blended, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
2. Wet Ingredients Integration: Blend egg and vanilla extract thoroughly into the creamy base, ensuring complete incorporation.
3. Dry Mixture Creation: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together, distributing leavening components evenly.
4. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, combining until a uniform dough emerges, then chill for 30 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.
5. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
6. Cookie Shaping: Form uniform dough balls, spacing them strategically on prepared baking sheet and gently flattening each to ensure even baking.
7. Baking Process: Cook until cookie edges turn golden and centers appear set, approximately 8-10 minutes.
8. Decorative Transformation: While cookies are warm, strategically place pretzel pieces as antlers, attach candy eyes, and position red candy nose to create whimsical reindeer characters.
9. Cooling and Presentation: Allow cookies to rest briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling before serving or packaging for festive sharing.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to prevent excessive spreading and enhance cookie texture, allowing butter to solidify and flavors to meld beautifully.
• Position Decorations Precisely: Add pretzel antlers and candy features immediately after baking while cookies remain warm, ensuring smooth attachment without breaking delicate surfaces.
• Control Baking Consistency: Watch cookie edges closely during 8-10 minute baking window, removing when golden but still slightly soft to maintain chewy, tender texture.
• Substitute Smartly: Replace traditional ingredients with gluten-free flour and dairy-free butter for allergy-friendly versions without compromising delightful reindeer cookie appearance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg