If you are dreaming of a festive treat that is both charming and irresistibly tasty, this Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe is sure to bring joy to your kitchen. These adorable, soft cookies bring together the creamy richness of peanut butter with the satisfying crunch of pretzels and the playful pop of bright red M&Ms, making them perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you want to share a smile through baking. Each reindeer cookie practically demands to be admired before being devoured, and the recipe is straightforward enough to get the whole family involved in the fun.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple, pantry-friendly ingredients are the heart and soul of the Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe. Each one adds its own magic—richness, sweetness, texture, and that unmistakable peanut butter flavor that’s truly comforting.
- 1 cup butter (softened): Provides a creamy base that keeps the cookies soft and tender.
- 1 cup sugar: Adds the perfect sweetness that balances the peanut butter.
- 1 cup peanut butter: The star ingredient, delivering rich, nutty flavor and moist texture.
- 2 eggs: Helps bind everything together and adds structure to the dough.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and gives depth to the overall taste.
- ½ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the peanut butter flavor.
- 3 cups flour: The foundation that shapes these soft, chewy cookies.
- 2 tsp baking soda: Ensures perfect rise and light texture.
- 72 pretzel twists (small): The clever “antlers” adding crunch and visual charm.
- 36 red M&Ms: Bright red noses that bring your reindeer to life.
- 72 candy eyes: Make these cookies truly comical and festive with personality.
How to Make Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by heating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is just right to get the cookies to bake evenly and develop a lovely golden hue without drying out the peanut butter flavor.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, peanut butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy. This creates the luscious base that will define the cookie’s texture.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Gently stir in the flour and baking soda until you have a uniform dough. The flour gives structure while the baking soda helps the cookies spread just the right amount for that soft triangle shape.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Divide the dough into 36 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball to ensure even baking, then shape each ball into a rounded triangle by slightly flattening it with your hands.
Step 5: Arrange and Decorate
Place the shaped cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. Press two mini pretzels into the top corners of each cookie to form antlers, then add a red M&M near the bottom for a jolly reindeer nose.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, keeping an eye on them until they turn a gentle golden brown. This signals that the flavors have melded and the edges have crisped just enough.
Step 7: Cool and Add the Eyes
Let your freshly baked cookies cool on wire racks. Once cooled, attach candy eyes by dipping their backs in a bit of peanut butter, then pressing them onto the face to complete each reindeer’s expression.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Your Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe is ready to delight friends and family, perfect for sharing with a cup of holiday cheer.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle them with melted white chocolate. This not only adds a snowy effect but elevates the cookie’s flavor profile.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, hot cocoa, or even a warm chai latte. Their peanut butter richness complements creamy beverages, making every bite feel like a cozy hug.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your reindeer cookies on a large decorative platter surrounded by pine sprigs or cinnamon sticks for a rustic holiday display. Wrapping individual cookies in clear cellophane with a festive ribbon also makes for darling gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and flavorful for up to a week, so you can savor the joy of these peanut butter treats beyond the day of baking.
Freezing
To enjoy these Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe anytime, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They can last up to three months, making holiday prep stress-free.
Reheating
If you want to revive a bit of that fresh-baked warmth, pop the cookies in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds. This revives their softness without melting the decorations.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add a delightful texture to your cookies, giving each bite an extra nutty crunch that complements the soft dough.
What if I don’t have pretzel twists for the antlers?
No worries! You can substitute with small pretzel rods or even candy canes broken into smaller pieces. The goal is to create that reindeer antler shape with something crunchy.
Can I make this recipe without eggs?
Eggs provide structure and moisture, but you can try a flax egg or commercial egg replacer. Keep in mind it might slightly change the texture, but the cookies will still be tasty.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The recipe as written uses regular flour, but you can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Just be sure it includes xanthan gum to mimic the texture of wheat flour for the best results.
How should I store these cookies for gifting?
Use airtight containers or sealable bags, layering cookies with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Adding a decorative tag with the Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe name adds a personal touch that gift recipients will love.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe is one of those joyful kitchen projects that fill the air with warmth and bring smiles to everyone around the table. I encourage you to try it out, have fun creating those cute reindeer faces, and make some delicious memories along the way. Happy baking and happy holidays!
Print
Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies are festive, fun, and perfect for the holiday season. Soft peanut butter cookie dough is shaped into reindeer faces, decorated with pretzel antlers, red M&M noses, and candy eyes for an adorable and delicious treat that kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
Decorations
- 72 pretzel twists (small)
- 36 red M&Ms
- 72 candy eyes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the cookies.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, peanut butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour and baking soda gradually until all ingredients are well combined into a dough.
- Form Dough Balls: Separate the dough into 36 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball shape.
- Shape Cookies: Slightly flatten each ball and shape it into a rounded triangle shape to resemble a reindeer’s face.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the shaped cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them evenly to allow for spreading.
- Add Pretzel Antlers: Press two mini pretzels into the two top corners of each triangle to create the reindeer’s antlers.
- Add Red M&M Nose: Press one red M&M onto each cookie for the reindeer’s nose.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them onto cooling racks to cool completely.
- Attach Candy Eyes: Once the cookies are cool, dip the bottom of each candy eye slightly into peanut butter and press them onto the cookies to form the reindeer’s eyes.
- Serve: Serve the festive Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies to enjoy or package them for gift-giving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Use small pretzel twists for antlers to keep proportions cute.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before attaching candy eyes to prevent melting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week to maintain freshness.
- For a peanut allergy-safe option, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
