These Festive Reindeer Sugar Cookies are not only delicious but also fun to decorate and serve during the holiday season! The combination of sweet sugar cookies, pretzel antlers, red M&M noses, and candy eyes makes them perfect for a festive treat that will put a smile on everyone’s face.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Cute and Creative: These reindeer cookies are a fun holiday project for kids and adults alike.
- Perfect for Gifting: They make great gifts or party treats for the holiday season.
- Delicious: The soft sugar cookie dough paired with the crunchy pretzels and sweet candy toppings makes a delightful combination.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Mini pretzels (for antlers)
- Red M&M’s (for noses)
- Candy eyes (for faces)
- Chocolate chips (for extra decoration)
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour to firm it up and make it easier to roll out.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut into shapes using a cookie cutter of your choice. Traditional rounds work well for these reindeer, but you can also cut into other festive shapes like stars or trees.
- Place the cut-out dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each cookie.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow them to cool on a wire rack.
Step 4: Decorate the Reindeer
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies:
- Attach mini pretzels at the top of the cookie as the reindeer antlers.
- Place a red M&M in the center of the cookie for the nose.
- Use candy eyes to create the reindeer’s face.
- For extra decoration, you can add chocolate chips as the reindeer’s mouth or other details.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)
Servings: 24 cookies (depending on cookie size)
Tips:
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight.
- Decorating Variations: Use different candies like gumdrops or mini chocolate chips for the nose and eyes for a fun twist.
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
Conclusion:
These Festive Reindeer Sugar Cookies are not only adorable but are the perfect treat for any holiday gathering. Whether you’re baking with kids or gifting them to friends and family, they are sure to bring some holiday cheer to everyone who tries them!
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Festive Reindeer Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These adorable reindeer sugar cookies are perfect for the holiday season! With a soft, buttery texture and fun, festive decorations, they make a delightful treat for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Mini pretzels (for antlers)
- Red M&M’s (for noses)
- Candy eyes (for reindeer eyes)
- Chocolate chips (for the mouth)
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix well until the dough forms.
- Chill the dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour to make it easier to roll out.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll and cut the dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out desired shapes.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet: Arrange the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Decorate the reindeer faces: Before baking, use the mini pretzels as antlers, placing them at the top of each cookie. After baking, use the red M&M’s for noses, candy eyes for the eyes, and chocolate chips to form a mouth.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
- Cool and serve: Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- These cookies are a great holiday activity to do with kids.
- You can store these cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Feel free to decorate the cookies with other festive toppings such as colored sprinkles or icing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes