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Get ready to bake up some holiday magic with these adorable Reindeer Cookies! This recipe transforms a simple chocolate cake mix into festive treats that everyone will love. With a clever shortcut, you can whip up these charming holiday cookies in no time. They are perfect for bringing joy to any Christmas celebration or simply enjoying at home with your family during the festive season.
Why You’ll Love These Reindeer Cookies
These Reindeer Cookies are a guaranteed hit for many reasons, making them a holiday staple in our kitchen.
- Quick & Easy: Using a cake mix base significantly cuts down on prep time, making these perfect for busy schedules.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating the reindeer faces is a delightful activity for children, sparking creativity and holiday cheer.
- Perfect for Parties: They make a charming addition to any holiday gathering, cookie exchange, or festive dessert table.
- Delicious Flavor: The rich chocolate cake mix provides a wonderfully soft and chewy cookie base that everyone enjoys.
- Festive Appearance: Each cookie becomes a cute little reindeer, bringing smiles and a touch of whimsy to your holiday spread.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your charming Reindeer Cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat.
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (any standard 15.25 oz box)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 can chocolate frosting (12-16 oz, or 1-2 cups homemade)
- 24-28 mini Nilla Wafers
- 24-28 red and brown M&Ms
- 1 package candy eyes (approx. 50-count)
- 48-56 mini pretzels (snaps or twists work well)
Notes & Substitutions
You have flexibility with many of the components for these delightful chocolate reindeer creations. Feel free to use your favorite brand of chocolate cake mix; a darker cocoa mix will give a richer color. If you prefer, substitute the canned chocolate frosting with 1-2 cups of homemade chocolate buttercream for a fresher taste. For the reindeer noses, red hots, Sixlets, or even gumdrops cut into small pieces can replace the M&Ms. Any small pretzel, such as mini twists or snaps, will work perfectly for the antlers on these festive treats.
Equipment
You won’t need many specialized tools to make these adorable Reindeer Cookies.
- Large mixing bowl: For combining the cookie dough ingredients easily.
- Baking sheets: Two large sheets help bake cookies efficiently in batches.
- Parchment paper or silicone liners: Essential for preventing sticking and easy cleanup.
- Cookie scoop (1.5-2 tbsp): Ensures uniform cookie size for even baking.
- Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool completely and evenly after baking.
Instructions
Making these adorable Reindeer Cookies is simple and fun. Follow these step-by-step instructions for perfect results.
- Prepare Oven and Sheets: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Mix Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, two large eggs, and vegetable oil. Stir everything together until a thick, uniform cookie dough forms. The dough will be quite dense.
- Scoop & Roll: Scoop out about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Gently roll each portion into a smooth ball. Place the cookie dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each to allow for spreading. Aim for 12 cookies per sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for approximately 8 minutes. You know they are ready when the tops start to look slightly crinkly and the edges are set. Do not overbake to keep them soft and chewy.
- Cool Completely: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 2 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the warm cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This step is crucial before decorating your chocolate reindeer creations.
Ensuring proper food safety is essential when baking. For useful guidance on safe food handling practices, consult resources like the FDA’s recommendations for baking food safety.
- Frost Cookies: Once the cookies are entirely cool, open your can of chocolate frosting. Spread a thin, even layer of chocolate frosting over the top of each cooled cookie. This will serve as both delicious topping and edible glue.
- Attach Snout: Take one mini Nilla Wafer and gently press it onto the bottom half of each frosted cookie. This forms the reindeer’s snout.
- Place Candy Eyes: Position two candy eyes just above the Nilla Wafer snout. Press them gently into the frosting to secure them in place, giving your reindeer personality.
- Add Antlers: Carefully place two mini pretzels above the candy eyes, pressing them lightly into the frosting. These become the distinctive antlers for your adorable reindeer cookies.
- Secure Nose: Take one M&M (red for Rudolph, brown for other reindeer) and attach it to the center of the Nilla Wafer snout. Use a tiny dab of extra frosting if needed to make sure it sticks firmly.
- Set & Serve: Allow the frosting on your finished Reindeer Cookies to set for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. Once set, your festive cookies are ready to be served and enjoyed!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve perfect Reindeer Cookies every time with these helpful hints and easy fixes. For less cookie spread, chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking. To specifically create Rudolph, ensure you use a red M&M for the nose on your reindeer cookie. When adding antlers, choose mini pretzels that are intact and have a nice shape; gently press them into the frosting to secure them without breaking. Always allow your cookies to cool completely before applying frosting, or it will melt and slide right off. If your frosting seems too stiff, microwave it in 10-second intervals, stirring after each, until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
These charming Reindeer Cookies are ideal for many holiday occasions. Serve them proudly at your Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or as a delightful dessert after a holiday meal. You can also package them beautifully in tins or cello bags to create thoughtful and delicious homemade holiday gifts for friends, neighbors, and teachers.
For the best texture and shape when baking, consider these tips for using cake mix in cookie recipes.
Store decorated Reindeer Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For best results, place parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. Avoid freezing cookies once they are decorated, as the frosting and pretzels may not hold up well after thawing.
For variations, consider starting with a different cookie base, such as a peanut butter or sugar cookie mix, for a unique flavor profile. You can also experiment with other small candies for the noses, like red hots for a spicy kick, green M&Ms for an elf reindeer, or colorful Sixlets for a playful look.
Nutrition Information
Please remember that this nutrition information is an estimate based on the ingredients listed and will vary depending on specific brands and exact portion sizes. For precise values, you can use an online nutrition calculator with your exact ingredients. These delightful Reindeer Cookies are intended as an occasional treat for the holiday season.
| Component | Amount (per cookie, estimated) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210-240 |
| Total Fat | 10-12g |
| Carbohydrates | 30-35g |
| Protein | 2g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cookies a day or two in advance and store them unfrosted in an airtight container. Then, decorate them closer to when you plan to serve your Reindeer Cookies.
Are Reindeer Cookies freezer-friendly?
You can freeze the plain baked cookie dough balls or baked, unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. However, decorated Reindeer Cookies with frosting and pretzels do not freeze well, as the decorations can become soggy.
What if I can’t find mini Nilla Wafers?
If you can’t find mini Nilla Wafers, you can use regular Nilla Wafers and cut them in half. Alternatively, use other small round cookies or even round pretzel crisps as a snout.
Can children help decorate these cookies?
Absolutely! Decorating these adorable Reindeer Cookies is a fantastic and fun activity for kids of all ages. Set up a decorating station, and let their creativity shine.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make these cookies gluten-free, simply substitute the chocolate cake mix with a certified gluten-free chocolate cake mix. Ensure all other decorating ingredients, like pretzels and Nilla Wafers, are also gluten-free.
Conclusion
These adorable Reindeer Cookies offer a perfect blend of simplicity, fun, and deliciousness, making them a highlight of any holiday celebration. With a convenient cake mix base and easy decorating steps, even beginner bakers can create a festive masterpiece. They are an ideal activity for families and a delightful treat to share with loved ones. We encourage you to try making these charming cookies this holiday season. Share your beautiful Reindeer Cookies creations with us, or leave a comment below with your favorite decorating tips!
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- baking sheets
- parchment paper or silicone mats
- cookie scoop (1.5–2 tbsp)
- wire cooling rack
- spatula or knife (for frosting)
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1–2 cups chocolate frosting (homemade or canned)
- 24–28 mini Nilla Wafers
- 24–28 red and brown M&Ms
- 50 candy eyes (approximate)
- 48–56 mini pretzels (snaps or twists)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chocolate cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Stir until a thick dough forms.
- Scoop 1.5–2 tablespoons of dough, roll into balls, and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 minutes, until tops are crinkly and edges are set. Do not overbake.
- Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
- Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting over each cooled cookie.
- Press one mini Nilla Wafer onto the bottom half of each frosted cookie to form the snout.
- Place two candy eyes above the wafer. Press gently into frosting to secure.
- Add two mini pretzels at the top for antlers, gently pressing into frosting.
- Press one red or brown M&M into the center of the Nilla Wafer for the nose.
- Let frosting set for at least 30 minutes before serving or packaging.
