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Reindeer Cookies Recipe

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3.9 from 22 reviews

  • Author: Amina
  • Total Time: 47 minutes
  • Yield: 20 servings

Description

These adorable Reindeer Cookies are festive, fun, and perfect for holiday celebrations. Featuring a soft, cinnamon-spiced sugar cookie base rolled in granulated sugar for a sparkling finish, they’re decorated with pretzel antlers, candy eyeballs, and red M&M noses to bring the reindeer to life. With a buttery, soft texture and a delightful maple syrup hint, these cookies are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1 2/3 cups brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Coating and Decorations

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
  • Small pretzels (for antlers)
  • Candy eyeballs
  • Red M&Ms (for noses)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This forms the dry base of your cookie dough.
  3. Cream Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter until it becomes creamy and smooth. This step helps create a light texture in the cookies.
  4. Add Brown Sugar and Maple Syrup: Add the brown sugar and maple syrup to the creamed butter and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender crumb.
  5. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until all are fully combined, adding moisture and flavor to the dough.
  6. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
  7. Scoop Dough: Use about 3 tablespoons of dough for each cookie, rolling into smooth balls.
  8. Roll and Chill: Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to coat, then chill them for 15 to 30 minutes. Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking.
  9. Bake Cookies: Place 6 dough balls per prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges are set but centers remain soft.
  10. Decorate: While the cookies are still warm, gently press pretzels into the top of each for antlers, add candy eyeballs, and place a red M&M for the nose to create the reindeer face.
  11. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set properly.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough balls before baking helps maintain shape and prevents excessive spreading.
  • Use small pretzels that resemble antlers for the best decorative effect.
  • If candy eyeballs are unavailable, small dots of white and black icing can be used as a substitute.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
  • For a more intense cinnamon flavor, you can increase cinnamon to 1 teaspoon if desired.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://aminabakes.com/reindeer-cookies-recipe/