Pretzel Reindeer Cookies are the sweetest cookie project that you can make with your kids this Christmas season. Perfect for a little holiday party or watching your favorite holiday movies.
If you love this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try my gingerbread sandwich cookies or these easy reindeer gingerbread cookies.
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Why these Pretzel Reindeer Cookies are Best
These Pretzel Reindeer Cookies differ from the ones made with rolo candy because you are actually using cookies and do not have any of that melty mess that may happen with the rolo pretzel reindeer.
Lets face it, the holidays are hard, therefore anytime we can do cute, easy projects that are also delicious then we are ahead of the game.
Why This Christmas Cookie Recipe is a Keeper
These reindeer sugar cookies are perfect to leave for Santa. Did you know that the first mention of Santa using Reindeer to pull his sleigh was in New York in the early 1800’s. Check out these cool Santa facts.
- Less than 30 Minutes: Fresh, warm cookies in less than 30 minutes.
- Simple Ingredients: Simple and easy ingredients to make these pretzel reindeer cookies.
- Family Friendly: Kids love to help, this recipe is great for them to have a fun and festive time.
- Adaptable: Can make it with low calorie or gluten free ingredients if needed. They will taste great and look so cute. No need for a cookie scoop.
What is the best way to store these delicate cookies?
Store in an airtight covered container at room temperature or in a Ziploc bag. Lay the cookies flat with layers of wax paper or parchment paper in between. They are great to make ahead for your next get together.
Ingredient Notes for Rudolph Cookies
This cookie uses a standard cookie dough recipe.
- Pretzels: Snapped in half for the reindeer pretzel antlers.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions, Tips and Tricks
You can make these cookies for your cookie exchange or whenever you want a delicious, adorable recipe that the kids will love
- 2 Chocolate Chips: Use the mini chocolate chips for the two candy eyes or mini m&m candy work great too for the top of the cookie. A little chocolate is always a treat.
- Gluten Free: Gluten free cookies and pretzels can be found in the baking aisle and snack aisles of the grocery store.
How to Make the Cutest Reindeer Cookies
These are the basic steps for making christmas reindeer cookies. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions and nutrition facts such as saturated fat, cholesterol and carbohydrates.
STEP 1: Prep your Cookie Sheet and Make Dough
First, in a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer at medium speed to cream together butter and sugar. Add egg and beat some more. Next add all of the flour mixture into the mix: flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt.
STEP 2: Chill and Shape Cookie Dough for the Adorable Reindeer Cookies
Then wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for one hour. Next, roll out the cookie dough so that it’s about ¼ of an inch in size. Use a round cookie cutter, about 2 inches in diameter, to cut out 12-15 cookies. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Press 2 pretzel pieces on the top of each cookie – these will act as the reindeer’s pretzel for antlers.
STEP 3: Bake and Decorate the Top of the Cooled Cookies
When ready, preheat oven and bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes and then allow to cool completely on sheet pan and wire rack. Finally, decorate by applying icing for the face of your reindeer.
Recipe FAQs to Love These Cookies
Expert Tips for Making This Reindeer Cookie Recipe
- Sharp Knife: Mom can cut the mini pretzel twists with a knife for even antlers.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add reins out of icing on the cookies.
- Alternate ingredient: Nuts can be used for eyes and noses. Use shortening in place of butter.
- Dietary consideration tip: Low calorie cookie ingredients can be great in this recipe. Use a one for one sugar alternative such as splenda or swerve.
- Flavors: Use different cookie flavors such as peanut butter reindeer or molasses cookies.
Pretzel Reindeer Cookies
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup Unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup Granulated sugar
- 1 Large egg, room temperature
- 1 cups All-purpose flour + extra for rolling
- 2 tablespoon Cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 15 Hard pretzels, snapped in half
- Black and red decorating frosting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and beat some more.
- Next add all of the dry ingredients into the mix: flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt.
- Mix and knead until a cookie dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for one hour.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Once the chilling time is up, remove the cookie dough from the fridge.
- Sprinkle a smooth surface with flour. Add flour on a rolling pin as well.
- Roll out the cookie dough so that it’s about ¼ of an inch in size.
- Use a round cookie cutter, about 2 inches in diameter, to cut out 12-15 cookies.
- Press 2 pretzel halves on the top of each cookie – these will act as the reindeer’s antlers.
- Bake for 7 to 9 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
- With a round piping tip, pipe out a red nose and two black dots (for eyes) on the reindeer.
Christina’s Notes
- Sharp Knife: Mom can cut the mini pretzel twists with a knife for even antlers.
- Short cut tip: Try using premade cookie dough in any flavor such as peanut butter or caramel that you like and candy eyeballs for quicker cookies.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add reins out of icing on the cookies.
- Alternate ingredient: Nuts can be used for eyes and noses.
- Dietary consideration tip: Low calorie cookie ingredients can be great in this recipe. Use a one for one sugar alternative such as splenda or swerve.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
These are so fun and the kids really loved helping make them! Thanks.