Homemade Reindeer Delight Cookies Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

These reindeer delight cookies spark pure holiday magic with their whimsical charm and festive spirit.

Sweet treats like these connect generations through delightful culinary traditions.

Imaginative bakers understand how simple ingredients can create memorable moments of joy.

Holiday baking becomes an art form when creativity meets classic comfort.

Delicate and playful, these cookies promise to enchant both young and mature sweet lovers.

Soft textures and cheerful decorations make each bite a celebration of seasonal cheer.

You will absolutely adore crafting these delightful morsels that bring warmth to winter gatherings.

Let’s dive into a recipe that enhances ordinary ingredients into extraordinary memories.

Reindeer Cookies That Spark Holiday Joy

• These Reindeer Delight Cookies transform ordinary baking into a playful holiday activity perfect for creating memories with family and friends.
• The recipe offers an enjoyable decorating experience with simple royal icing techniques that allow bakers of all skill levels to create adorable reindeer faces using minimal ingredients.
• The cookie base delivers a tender, buttery texture with crisp edges and a smooth surface that provides an ideal canvas for creative decorations, ensuring a delightful bite every time.
• With just 9-10 minutes of baking and straightforward preparation steps, these cookies are quick to make while delivering maximum visual impact and festive cheer.

Ingredients for Reindeer Cookies

• Butter, Powdered Sugar: Soft, creamy base that adds richness and sweetness to the cookie.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie dough.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.
• Milk: Helps bind the dough and create a smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor to the cookie.

• Powdered Sugar, Meringue Powder, Warm Water: Create smooth, sturdy royal icing for decorating.
• Brown Food Coloring: Used for creating reindeer antlers.
• Green M&M: Serves as the reindeer's nose accent.

• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking during baking.
• Flour (for surface): Helps prevent dough from sticking when rolling out.

How to Make Reindeer Cookies

Step 1: Whipping Up Magical Dough

In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes silky and light. Gently fold in flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together smoothly.

Step 2: Resting Cookie Mixture

Wrap the dough completely in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for minimum 1 hour or overnight. This helps the dough firm up and enhances flavor development.

Step 3: Rolling Out Sweet Circles

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Use a large circular cookie cutter to create perfect cookie shapes. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Baking Golden Treats

Bake cookies for 9-10 minutes until edges turn delicately golden brown. Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 5: Crafting Royal Icing

Combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and vanilla extract. Gradually add warm water while whisking until stiff peaks form. Separate icing into white and brown batches for decorating.

Step 6: Designing Adorable Reindeer

Using white icing, pipe or spread a base coat on each cookie. Create cute reindeer faces with round eyes and smooth surfaces. Once set, add brown antlers using piped icing. Place a green M&M as the signature red nose. Allow decorations to dry completely before serving.

Smart Tips for Reindeer Cookies

• Chill Thoroughly: Refrigerate dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Roll Evenly: Use a consistent ¼ inch thickness to ensure uniform baking and professional-looking cookies.
• Control Icing Consistency: Add water gradually to royal icing to achieve perfect stiff peaks for precise decorating.
• Prevent Burning: Watch cookies closely during the 9-10 minute baking window to catch the ideal golden brown edge.
• Decorate Strategically: Let base white icing completely set before adding detailed brown antlers and red nose for clean, crisp design.

How to Store and Reheat Reindeer Cookies

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent softening the royal icing decoration.

Serving Reindeer Cookies

• Pair with Festive Hot Cocoa: Warm, rich hot chocolate complements the sweet, buttery cookies perfectly. The velvety chocolate enhances the delicate vanilla notes in the Reindeer Delight Cookies.
• Match with Peppermint Mocha: A creamy peppermint mocha adds a holiday twist that elevates the cookie's festive charm. The cool mint and robust coffee balance the cookie's sweetness.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Latte: Smooth, aromatic vanilla latte creates a delightful flavor harmony with the cookie's vanilla undertones. The warm, creamy drink provides a comforting contrast to the crisp cookie texture.
• Enjoy with Spiced Apple Cider: Warm, fragrant apple cider brings a cozy seasonal touch that complements the reindeer-themed treat. The subtle spices enhance the cookie's delicate flavor profile.

Reindeer Cookie Ideas and Swaps

• Arctic Chocolate Chip Crunch: Fold dark chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies into the cookie dough for a festive winter-inspired treat.
• Nordic Nutty Sensation: Mix ground almonds and finely chopped pecans into the dough, creating a rich, textured cookie with subtle nutty undertones.
• Scandinavian Spice Blend: Incorporate ground cinnamon, cardamom, and a hint of ginger into the dough for a warm, aromatic cookie with traditional Nordic flavors.
• Festive Fruit Fusion: Add dried cranberries and orange zest to the dough, bringing a bright, tangy element to the classic reindeer cookie design.

Reindeer Cookie FAQs

• How long should I chill the cookie dough?

The dough needs to be refrigerated for at least 1 hour, or you can leave it overnight to firm up completely, which helps prevent spreading during baking.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator, or freeze the unbaked dough for up to 2 weeks for later use.

• What if I don't have meringue powder for the royal icing?

You can substitute meringue powder with egg whites, but meringue powder provides more stability and is safer for those concerned about raw eggs. If using egg whites, use pasteurized ones to ensure food safety.

• How do I store these decorated Reindeer Delight Cookies?

Store the completely cooled and decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their adorable design.

Reindeer Delight Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Nordic holiday magic shines through these Reindeer Delight Cookies, blending sweet nostalgia with festive charm. Crumbly, spiced gems will transport winter memories from Scandinavian kitchens directly to your holiday table.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt

Butter and Sugar Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons (75 milliliters) milk
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) warm water
• 1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 grams) meringue powder
• A few drops of brown liquid food coloring
• A few green M&M’s (for noses)

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, cream together softened butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until achieving a silky, uniform texture.
2. Gently fold in all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt into the butter mixture. Incorporate milk incrementally until the dough reaches a cohesive consistency.
3. Wrap the freshly prepared dough in plastic film and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing it to solidify and develop robust flavor.
4. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully roll out the chilled dough on a lightly dusted surface to approximately ¼ inch thickness. Utilize a circular cookie cutter to shape the cookies precisely.
5. Arrange the formed cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing. Bake for 9-10 minutes until the edges transform into a delicate golden hue.
6. Remove cookies and transfer to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature completely.
7. Prepare royal icing by whisking powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla extract, and gradually introducing warm water until stiff peaks emerge. Separate icing into white and brown batches.
8. Decorate cooled cookies by piping white icing to create the reindeer’s facial features and eyes. Once set, add intricate brown antlers and a vibrant green M&M for the characteristic nose.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the cookie’s shape during baking.
• Use room temperature butter for a smoother, more consistent cookie dough texture.
• Sift dry ingredients to eliminate lumps and ensure even distribution in the mixture.
• Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting or running.
• Work with royal icing quickly as it sets fast and can become difficult to manage.
• Store decorated cookies in a single layer between parchment paper to preserve intricate designs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Nordic

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg