Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Reindeer Cookies with Chocolate and Pretzels Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 677 reviews
  • Author: Villerius
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These festive Reindeer Cookies are a fun and easy holiday treat made with chocolate cake mix and decorated to look like adorable reindeer. Soft, chocolatey cookies topped with chocolate frosting, mini Nilla Wafers, candy eyes, colorful M&Ms, and pretzel antlers make these the perfect Christmas cookie for kids and adults alike.


Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Decorations

  • 1 can chocolate frosting (or 1-2 cups homemade chocolate frosting)
  • 24-28 mini Nilla Wafers
  • 24-28 red and brown M&Ms
  • 1 package candy eyes
  • 48-56 mini pretzels


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies.
  2. Make Cookie Batter: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Stir until fully incorporated to create a thick cookie batter.
  3. Form Cookies: Scoop 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.
  4. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place 12 cookie dough balls onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, spacing them evenly.
  5. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies start to get crinkly.
  6. Cool Slightly: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to help them set without breaking.
  7. Transfer to Rack: Move the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before decorating.
  8. Frost Cookies: Spread a generous layer of chocolate frosting over the top of each cooled cookie.
  9. Add Nilla Wafers: Place one mini Nilla Wafer onto the bottom half of each frosted cookie to form the reindeer’s snout.
  10. Attach Eyes: Place two candy eyes above each Nilla Wafer, sticking them in place with a little frosting.
  11. Add Antlers: Position two mini pretzels above the eyes on each cookie to resemble antlers, pressing gently to secure.
  12. Attach M&Ms: Use frosting to attach one red or brown M&M to each Nilla Wafer to represent the reindeer’s nose.
  13. Set Frosting: Allow the frosting to set completely before serving to keep decorations intact.

Notes

  • These Reindeer Cookies are simple to make and perfect for Christmas parties or holiday baking with kids.
  • You can substitute homemade chocolate frosting for the canned variety to add a personal touch.
  • For extra flair, use different colored M&Ms or add edible glitter to the frosting.
  • Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for best freshness.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg