Reindeer Sugar Cookies: Fun Christmas Cookies for Kids
Sweet, chocolatey, and oh-so-adorable, Reindeer Sugar Cookies bring instant cheer to the dessert table. With golden sugar cookies as the base, topped by swirls of chocolate frosting, salty pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and bright red M&M noses, these holiday sugar cookies transform into Rudolph and his reindeer friends right before your eyes. This Christmas cookie recipe is easy enough for beginner bakers yet delightful enough to impress the big guy in the red suit. These cookies are perfect for winter gatherings, holiday parties, or a playful weekend treat.
Each cookie looks like it trotted straight in from the North Pole, ready to make snack time magical. The different tastes and textures create the perfect balance of flavor. Kids of all ages will smile at the sight of these sweet-faced reindeer lined up on a platter. They’re the perfect Christmas cookies for kids.
Reindeer Sugar Cookies Recipe Overview
These Reindeer Sugar Cookies make 24 servings and come together with about 15 minutes of baking, followed by 15-20 minutes to put together the reindeer. After cooling, the holiday sugar cookies are ready to decorate with frosting, pretzels, candy eyes, and red or brown M&Ms.
Tools Needed for Reindeer Sugar Cookies
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Butter knife
Ingredients for Reindeer Sugar Cookies
- 16 oz sugar cookie dough, precut into squares (Pillsbury recommended)
- 1 container of chocolate frosting
- 48 pretzel twists
- 48 candy eyeballs
- 24 red and/or brown M&Ms
How to Make Reindeer Sugar Cookies
1. Bake the cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the cookie dough squares on the prepared sheet, spacing them 2–3 inches apart. Bake for 13–17 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
2. Cool the cookies
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 1 minute, then carefully transfer them to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely (about 5–10 minutes) before decorating.
3. Frost the base
Using a butter knife, spread a smooth layer of chocolate frosting over each cookie. This will be the face of the reindeer.
4. Add antlers
Place two pretzels at the top of each cookie, one on each side, to look like reindeer antlers.
5. Create the face
Add two candy eyeballs beneath the antlers. Finally, press a red M&M into the frosting just below the eyes to create the classic Rudolph nose.
Decorating Tips for Reindeer Sugar Cookies
Work with cooled cookies: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before adding frosting, or the heat will melt the chocolate and cause decorations to slide.
Use matching antlers: Break pretzels in half for a more “antlery” shape, or use whole ones for a cuter look.
Get creative with colors: While red noses are a classic Rudolph feature, using brown M&Ms on the rest creates Santa’s classic reindeer lineup.
Why Reindeer Sugar Cookies Are the Perfect Holiday Dessert
These are the perfect Christmas cookies for kids to make. They can take part in arranging antlers, eyes, and noses, making every batch of holiday sugar cookies feel like a family activity. The combination of store-bought sugar cookie dough and simple candy decorations keeps the process stress-free while still looking like they came out of Grandma’s cookbook.
The flavor profile is a winning trio: buttery sugar cookies as the base, chocolate frosting for richness, and the crunch of pretzels for a salty contrast. The candy eyes and M&M noses add a little extra sweetness, and more importantly, they complete the reindeer face.
Storage Instructions for Reindeer Sugar Cookies
Once the cookies are decorated and set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Layers can be separated with parchment paper to prevent smudging. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making them easy to prepare ahead of time for gatherings or dessert platters or just to have Christmas cookies for kids who visit over the holidays.
Variations on Reindeer Sugar Cookies
Here are a few alternate Christmas cookie ideas:
- Gingerbread reindeer: Swap sugar cookie dough for gingerbread dough to create a spiced twist.
- Mini reindeer bites: Cut dough squares with a knife to make smaller cookies, then decorate with tiny pretzel pieces and mini M&Ms.
- Chocolate chip base: Start with chocolate chip cookie dough instead of sugar cookie dough for extra flavor.
- Snowy background: Add a dusting of powdered sugar over the cookies for a “snow-kissed” effect.
Reindeer Sugar Cookies: An Easy Holiday Baking Idea
Reindeer Sugar Cookies are almost as much fun to make as they are to eat. Children will giggle as they arrange candy eyes in silly ways, experiment with different nose colors, and decide which member of Santa’s team is which. Adults will enjoy the nostalgia of holiday baking and the joy of seeing a platter filled with whimsical reindeer faces.
The decorating process encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and teamwork, turning baking into an experience. At the end, everyone gets to enjoy a plate of cookies and they might even leave one or two for Santa. It’s the kind of Christmas cookie recipe that brings laughter to the kitchen and sweetness to the table.
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