Adorable Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe

Jolly Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe for Holiday Fun

Adorable holiday treats sparkle with whimsy when you craft these delightful peanut butter reindeer cookies that capture childhood magic.

Rudolph’s cheerful spirit comes alive through simple ingredients and playful decorations.

Sweet and nutty, these cookies bring festive cheer to any celebration.

Children and adults alike will smile at the cute chocolate antlers and red candy noses.

Crafting these cookies becomes a delightful seasonal activity that spreads joy.

The magical combination of chocolate and peanut butter transforms ordinary baking into a heartwarming experience.

Dive into this delectable recipe and create memories that will shine brighter than Rudolph’s famous nose.

Tools That Help Shape Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to a light, fluffy consistency.
  • Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients separately.
  • Whisk: Great for blending flour, baking soda, and salt evenly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Baking sheet: Used for placing and baking cookie dough.
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Helps prevent cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly after baking.

How To Assemble Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies With Faces

  • Cookie Foundation

Mix together butter, peanut butter, and both types of sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until the blend becomes smooth and creamy, creating a rich base for your festive treats.

  • Flavor Boosters

Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, stirring gently to ensure all ingredients are perfectly integrated and the mixture develops a delightful aroma.

  • Dry Ingredient Magic

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate container, then slowly fold these dry components into the wet mixture, working carefully until a soft, pliable dough emerges.

  • Reindeer Transformation

Shape the cookie dough into small round balls, then gently press them onto a baking sheet, creating the adorable body of your reindeer cookies.

  • Decorative Details

Add chocolate chips for eyes, pretzel pieces for antlers, and a red candy for the nose, turning simple cookies into charming holiday characters that will delight kids and adults alike.

  • Baking Brilliance

Place cookies in a preheated oven and bake until edges turn golden brown, filling your kitchen with a warm, sweet fragrance that signals delicious treats are almost ready.

Ways To Personalize Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

  • Cozy Freezer Prep: Make cookie dough balls ahead and freeze for up to 3 months, allowing spontaneous baking whenever holiday spirit strikes.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan butter alternatives to create a lactose-free version that maintains the same rich, delicious flavor.
  • Nutty Swaps: For families with peanut allergies, substitute almond or sunflower seed butter to keep the cookie's texture and sweetness intact while ensuring everyone's safety.
  • Holiday Helper Hack: Use chocolate-covered pretzels for antlers and red candy-coated chocolates for noses to transform these cookies into adorable reindeer faces, making them extra festive and fun for kids to decorate.

Serving Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies To Guests

  • Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange these adorable reindeer cookies on a red or green ceramic plate, creating a playful winter wonderland display with pine branch or snowflake decorations.
  • Sweet Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside warm hot chocolate or cold milk to enhance the cookie's rich peanut butter flavor and create a cozy holiday treat experience.
  • Gifting Galore: Package these cute cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making them a charming homemade gift for teachers, neighbors, or holiday gatherings.
  • Kid-Friendly Decorating Station: Set up a fun decorating area with extra pretzels, chocolate chips, and candies so children can personalize their own reindeer cookie characters with unique faces and antlers.

Keep Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Soft After Baking

  • Chilling Champions: Refrigerate dough for 30-60 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and enhance flavor depth.
  • Freezer-Friendly Fix: Shape unbaked cookies and freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months, allowing quick baking whenever craving strikes.
  • Smart Storage Solution: Keep baked cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 5-7 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain texture and prevent sticking.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough 2-3 days prior to baking, storing tightly wrapped in refrigerator, which allows ingredients to meld and develop richer taste profiles.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 169 kcal

Servings: 23

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Ingredient Guide

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and helps bind cookie ingredients together.
  • Peanut Butter: Delivers signature nutty flavor and creates soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cookies and helps create crisp edges.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and keeps cookies wonderfully moist.
For Binding and Flavor:
  • Egg: Helps structure cookies and provides binding strength.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet undertones.
For Dry Mix:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure and gives cookies their classic tender crumb.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavor notes.
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Adorable Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe

Adorable Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 23 1x

Description

Festive peanut butter reindeer cookies bring holiday cheer with adorable chocolate-antlered treats. Rudolph-inspired delights delight children and adults, offering a playful sweet connection to Christmas memories.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (125 g) creamy peanut butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • mini pretzels (for antlers)
  • candy eyes
  • red candy-coated chocolates (e.g., M&Ms for the nose)

Instructions

  1. Mixing Base: Thoroughly cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars in a large mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform blend with a light, whipped texture.
  2. Binding Agents: Gently fold in egg and vanilla extract, stirring methodically until the batter becomes glossy and well-incorporated, creating a smooth foundation for the cookie dough.
  3. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together, ensuring a lightweight and evenly distributed dry mixture that will provide structure to the cookies.
  4. Dough Formation: Merge dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding carefully and minimally to prevent overworking, until a cohesive, tender dough develops with a consistent texture.
  5. Resting Phase: Wrap the dough securely and refrigerate, allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify flavors while providing optimal consistency for shaping and baking.

Notes

  • Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading during baking and enhance flavor complexity.
  • Prevent Overworking: Mix ingredients gently to maintain a tender cookie texture, stopping when the dough just comes together to avoid tough cookies.
  • Control Moisture Balance: Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother incorporation and more consistent cookie spread during baking.
  • Shape with Precision: When forming reindeer shapes, use clean hands and minimal handling to keep the dough’s delicate structure intact.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 23
  • Calories: 169
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 76 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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