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Festive buttery Reindeer Christmas Cookies dipped in white chocolate with pretzel antlers and candy decorations, perfect for holiday parties and gift-giving.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • White chocolate (quantity enough for melting and dipping)
  • Mini pretzel twists, halved (for antlers)
  • Candy pencils in black and red (for eyes and noses)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180ºC (356ºF).
  2. In a large bowl, cream together granulated sugar and softened butter using electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  3. Add egg and vanilla extract; mix until combined smoothly.
  4. Gradually add flour and salt, stirring until just combined; avoid overmixing.
  5. Roll or press dough to about 1/2 inch thickness.
  6. Cut dough into 2-inch by 1/2 inch rectangles or shape into reindeer heads and bodies by hand.
  7. Place shaped cookies on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mat, spacing evenly.
  8. Bake for about 10 minutes until edges start to turn golden. Cookies will feel soft but will firm upon cooling.
  9. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Melt white chocolate slowly using bain-marie or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring often.
  11. Make two small holes on the sides of each cooled cookie to hold pretzel antlers.
  12. Dip pretzel halves into melted white chocolate, then insert into cookie holes; allow chocolate to set to secure.
  13. Dip each cooled cookie partially or fully into melted white chocolate; place on parchment to set.
  14. Decorate reindeer faces by drawing eyes and noses with candy pencils or by pressing mini chocolate chips or candies into wet chocolate.
  15. Allow chocolate and decorations to fully set before serving or storing.

Notes

If dough is too sticky, add more flour one tablespoon at a time; if too dry, add a splash of milk., Monitor baking closely; cookies should be lightly golden and soft when out of the oven as they firm while cooling., Use various decorations like mini chocolate chips, M&M’s, candy eyes, sprinkles, or edible glitter to customize cookies., Chocolate types for dipping can be white, milk, dark, or colored candy melts., Make dough up to two days ahead; keep wrapped tight in fridge and bring to room temperature before shaping., For flavor variations, add 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2-3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, or creamy peanut butter to the dough., To keep cookies crisp in humid climates, store with a slice of bread in the container to absorb moisture., For vegan or dairy-free versions, substitute vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate; use gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free cookies., Cookie pops can be made by inserting sticks before or after baking., Store cooled and decorated cookies in airtight container with parchment between layers at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze up to 3 months.

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