Easy Reindeer Christmas Cookies (Great for Sharing!)

Get ready to add a little holiday sparkle to your baking with these adorable Reindeer Christmas Cookies. They’re not only impossibly cute, but also a breeze to make. Whether you’re prepping for a festive party, a cookie exchange, or just having a fun baking day with the kids, these cookies bring a little extra joy and smiles for everyone.

Introduction

Hi there, and welcome! You’re about to jump into one of the most charming and surprisingly simple holiday cookie recipes you’ll find: Reindeer Christmas Cookies. These buttery treats dipped in chocolate aren’t just delicious—they’re a blast to decorate. They shine at holiday get-togethers, cookie swaps, or on a cozy afternoon baking with your little elves. For a varied cookie tray, add classic chocolate crinkles.

Below, you’ll get everything you need to go from zero to cookie hero: a bright photo, the full list of ingredients, step-by-step instructions with helpful photos, a printable recipe card with both US and metric measurements, plus tips for shaping, baking, decorating, storing, and transporting your cookies without a hitch. No fancy tools needed—just your everyday kitchen gear and a sprinkle of festive spirit.

• Simple ingredients you likely already have and easy-to-follow steps that make baking chill.
• Step-by-step photos guiding you from dough to baking to decorating, so you never feel lost.
• Creative decorating ideas, including pretzel antlers, white chocolate dips, and candy-drawn faces, plus fun variations to customize your batch. For more piping-and-sprinkle inspiration, see our Easy Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies.
• Helpful advice on storage, make-ahead tips, and serving suggestions to keep your cookies party-ready and fresh.

When you’re ready, scroll down to the recipe, or stick around for some insider tips before you dig in. Either way, you’ll soon be baking these festive little reindeer that are sure to spread plenty of holiday cheer.

Why You Will Love Making Reindeer Cookies

• These cookies come together super fast. Using everyday staples like all-purpose flour, butter, and sugar, you’re probably ready to start right now. The dough is simple and quick — but the decorating, especially with kids, is where the magic really happens. Pretzel antlers and candy-pencil eyes turn every cookie into a charming little masterpiece.
• Whether you’re throwing a Christmas party, heading to a cookie exchange, or just want a special bake for Christmas Eve, these Reindeer Christmas Cookies have got you covered. They’re tasty enough to enjoy and cute enough to double as holiday décor. For a full cookie platter, pair them with classic Christmas sugar cookies.
• Beyond the adorable looks, these cookies are really delicious. The buttery dough paired with salty pretzels and creamy white chocolate hits all the right flavor notes. Plus, they’re total hit on Instagram, if you love sharing your creations!
• Baking these could become a new holiday tradition for your family — imagine making them every year, sharing stories, laughs, and frosting mishaps together. Those moments are what make holidays special.
• No pricey or fancy kitchen gear needed here. A bowl, a baking sheet, and parchment paper are all it takes. I’m all about keeping holiday baking simple and stress-free.
• There’s loads of room for creativity here. Swap candy eyes for mini chocolate chips, add a red candy nose for Rudolph, or mix up the chocolate coatings. Every batch can feel fresh and personal, which makes the whole experience extra fun.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a peek at all the ingredients you’ll want to gather before you start baking.

How to Make Reindeer Cookies with Step-by-Step Instructions

You’ll find the full recipe with US and metric measurements ready for printing in the card below.

Preparing the Cookie Dough

First up: preheat your oven to 180ºC (356ºF). Grab a big mixing bowl and cream together the granulated sugar and softened butter using an electric mixer. Beat them until the mix looks light and fluffy — that’s when the magic really starts happening.

Cream the sugar and butter until fluffy and soft.

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until everything comes together smoothly.

Slowly stir in the flour and salt just until combined — overmixing can make cookies a bit tough, so gentle is best.

This dough forms your cookie’s base, so getting it right really pays off. Beat the egg and vanilla well for a smooth, even dough.

Forming the Cookies

Once your wet ingredients are nicely mixed, add the all-purpose flour and salt. Use a spoon or spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients in until just combined — avoid mixing too hard, or your cookies might lose their soft texture.

Roll or pat the dough to about ½ inch thick, then cut it into rectangles roughly 2 inches by ½ inch — these pieces will serve as your reindeer’s faces.

Then, using your hands, shape the dough into reindeer heads and bodies. Have fun giving each cookie its own little personality!

Baking and Cooling

Place your shaped cookies on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or a silicone mat to keep them from sticking and to ensure even baking.

Space the cookies evenly so they bake nicely without touching.

Bake for about 10 minutes, until the edges just start to turn golden. The cookies will feel soft coming out, but don’t worry — they firm up as they cool.

Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely. This step helps the chocolate decorating go smoothly without melting.

Decorating Your Reindeer

Now for the fun part—decorating! Slowly melt white chocolate over a double boiler or the microwave in short 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until it’s smooth and silky.

Cut mini pretzel twists in half to make the perfect crunchy antlers.

Make two small holes on the sides of each cookie — these will hold the pretzel antlers securely.

Dip the pretzel halves into the melted white chocolate, then gently stick them into the holes as antlers. Let the chocolate harden to keep them firmly in place.

Dip each cooled cookie into the white chocolate, covering as much or as little as you like for your favorite look.

Set the dipped cookies on parchment paper to let the chocolate firm up.

Give your reindeer faces some character by drawing eyes and noses with candy pencils in black and red. Watching each cookie take on its own personality is part of the fun!

Enjoy Your Creations

Once your chocolate and decorations are completely set, your adorable Reindeer Cookies are ready to be enjoyed.

Serve them on a festive platter at holiday parties, wrap them up for cookie swaps, or leave some out for Santa on Christmas Eve. Wherever they go, they’re guaranteed to delight!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

• Perfect the Dough: Dough texture is everything. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time. If too dry, add a splash of milk to bring it back. You want it soft and easy to shape—just right.
• Baking Tips: Oven temps vary, so keep an eye on your cookies. They should be lightly golden but still soft when taken out. They firm as they cool, so a slightly delicate feel fresh from the oven is normal.
• Fun Decorating: Candy pencils are my favorite for drawing faces, but mini chocolate chips, M&M’s, or candy eyes work great too. For chocolate chip eyes, press them into the cookie right after dipping in melted white chocolate so they stick well. For extra chocolaty antlers, dip pretzels in chocolate before pressing them in.
• Choosing Chocolate: Don’t hesitate to try milk, dark, or colored chocolate melts for dipping. Each gives your cookies a unique flavor and look, so pick what suits your vibe.
• Melting White Chocolate: White chocolate melts fast and can seize easily. Melt gently over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring often. Patience makes for silky smooth chocolate perfect for dipping.
• Make Dough Ahead: You can prep your dough up to 2 days before baking. Keep it wrapped tight in the fridge and let it warm to room temp before shaping. It makes handling so much easier.
• Flavor Twists: Want to mix it up? Add creamy peanut butter for a nutty note or a pinch of cinnamon for some warmth and spice. Both work beautifully for variation.

Variations and Easy Swaps

Craving a little twist? These simple tweaks keep the easy dough-and-decorate method but switch up flavors and looks without extra fuss.

• Change the cookie flavor: Swap some butter for creamy peanut butter (or try our easy peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for that classic PB–chocolate vibe), or add 1–2 teaspoons cinnamon for a cozy snickerdoodle feel. For a chocolaty twist, stir in 2–3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder to make chocolate reindeer cookies.
• Try different coatings: Use milk, dark, or colorful candy melts instead of white chocolate. Dip fully, partially, or drizzle for a pretty two-tone effect.
• Alternate antlers: No pretzels? No problem! Broken pretzel rods, slivered almonds, small pieces of breadstick, or even chocolate-drawn antlers can all work beautifully.
• Eye and nose swaps: Use mini chocolate chips, candy eyes, tiny M&M’s, red hots, or jelly candies instead of candy pencils. Press them into wet chocolate so they stick perfectly.
• Other decoration options: Try royal icing or edible markers, plus sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or edible glitter for extra sparkle.
• Make cookie pops: Stick a lollipop or popsicle stick in the dough before baking or gently push one into warm but set cookies. Dip and decorate as usual for cute, handheld treats.
• Diet-friendly swaps: Go dairy-free or vegan by using vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate, or start with sugar cookies without butter for a naturally butter-free base. Gluten-free friends can swap in a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend without changing the shaping or baking time.
• Play with sizes and shapes: Make mini bite-sized reindeer or big, festive showstoppers. Use small cookie cutters like circles or gingerbread men and decorate with antlers and faces. So many fun options!

Pro tip: Try one variation at a time so you can compare flavors and textures. When you find a favorite, bake an entire batch for a themed cookie platter or swap box that impresses.

How to Store Leftover Reindeer Cookies

If you’re planning ahead or just want to keep your reindeer fresh, here are my top tips for storing these festive treats. These same tips also work for sturdy drop cookies like oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Room Temperature Storage

For short-term storage, keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Place parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Stored this way, they’ll stay fresh and tasty up to a week.

Keeping Them Crunchy

Humidity can soften cookies fast. Tossing a slice of bread in the cookie container helps soak up moisture and keeps things nice and crisp.

Freezing for Longer

To store longer, freeze your cookies once decorations and chocolate are fully set. Layer them with parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay great for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Avoiding Condensation

If you refrigerate or freeze your cookies, bring them to room temperature before opening the container. This simple step prevents condensation, keeping your cookies crisp instead of soggy.

FAQ — Common questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep the dough up to two days ahead. Just wrap it well and store in the fridge. When you’re ready, let it warm up to room temperature to make shaping easier.

How long do finished cookies stay fresh?
Once decorated, keep them in an airtight container at room temp. Use parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick. They’ll stay fresh for about a week.

Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes! Make sure the chocolate and decorations are fully set. Freeze the cookies in a container with parchment paper between layers. They keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.

How do I keep the cookies crisp, especially in humid weather?
Pop a slice of bread into your cookie container to absorb moisture and keep the cookies crunchy. Avoid refrigerating since condensation can make cookies soggy. If you do refrigerate or freeze, bring the cookies to room temp before opening to avoid sogginess.

What’s the best way to melt white chocolate without it seizing?
Go slow! Use a double boiler or the microwave in short, 30-second bursts, stirring well after each. Gentle heat and stirring are key to smooth, silky white chocolate.

My pretzel antlers keep breaking — how can I make them stay put?
Make two tiny holes in the sides of cooled cookies. Dip pretzel halves in melted chocolate, then insert them into the holes while the chocolate’s still wet. Let it harden completely before handling or dipping more chocolate.

Can I change the decorations or chocolate type?
Yes! Mini chocolate chips, M&M’s, candy eyes, and more work perfectly for eyes and noses. Feel free to swap white chocolate for milk, dark, or colored melts for dipping.

What oven temp and bake time should I use?
Bake at 180°C (356°F) for about 10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies may feel soft fresh out of the oven but will firm up as they cool.

Can I change the cookie flavor or shape?
Definitely! The base dough is very versatile. Add cinnamon, peanut butter, or other flavors, and shape your reindeer however you like. Try to keep the thickness around ½ inch to bake evenly.

How should I transport cookies for a cookie swap or party?
Use an airtight container layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking or breaking. Make sure the container fits snugly so the cookies don’t slide around.

What to Serve with Reindeer Cookies

Wondering what pairs perfectly with these festive cookies? Here are some tasty ideas to round out your holiday spread.

Warm Beverages

A warm mug of hot cocoa or coffee is just the ticket with these sweet treats. Nothing beats sipping a cozy drink while the chocolate melts in your mouth. For the kids, warm milk or spiced apple cider works beautifully too.

Ice Cream Delight

For a special treat, serve your Reindeer Cookies with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cool creaminess contrasts beautifully with the rich, crunchy cookies for a dessert combo everyone loves.

Fruit and Cheese

Balance all the sweetness with a platter of fresh, juicy fruits and a variety of cheeses. The tart fruit and sharp cheese flavors add a tasty counterpoint that makes your snack or dessert well-rounded and interesting.

Nutty Companions

Almonds, pecans, or walnuts pair wonderfully with these cookies and add a satisfying crunch. Whether roasted or candied, nuts bring a great texture and taste upgrade. Try these celery reindeer treats with peanut butter crunch for a fun twist.