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Make holiday magic with Nutter Butter reindeer cookies that look cute, taste rich and come together fast. Dip peanut-shaped cookies in melted chocolate for a smooth base, then add pretzel antlers, candy eyes and a bright red Rudolph nose. The combo of creamy chocolate and salty crunch hits every note, and the no-bake method keeps things easy. Kids can help with the decorating, and the results land perfectly playful on any Christmas cookie tray.
Nutter Butter reindeer cookies are no-bake treats dipped in chocolate, topped with pretzel antlers, candy eyes and a red nose. They’re quick, cute and tasty.
Also try cranberry margaritas, melted snowman cookie bark, spiced pineapple hot toddies and festive prosecco punch.
Why You’ll Love It
No-bake ease: Simple melt, dip and decorate.
Salty sweet hit: Peanut cookie, chocolate and a pop of candy.
Kid friendly: Fun assembly that doubles as craft time.
Party ready: Big batch potential with minimal effort. If you can’t head north for the holidays and visit reindeer in person, there’s another option – reindeer cookies!
Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookie Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Mini pretzels: Snapped in half to form crisp antlers with salty crunch.
Candy eyes: Easy stick-on eyes that bring the faces to life.
Red M&M’s: Classic Rudolph nose with color and chocolate snap.
Nutter Butter cookies: Peanut-shaped base that holds toppings and adds nutty flavor.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Smooth, balanced melt for dipping.
Coconut oil: Thins melted chocolate slightly for a glossy, even coat.
How to Make Reindeer Cookies with Pretzel Antlers
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prep decorations: Break pretzels into antlers and set out eyes and red candies.
Melt chocolate: Warm chips, stir smooth and blend in coconut oil.
Dip cookies: Coat the face of each cookie and set on a lined tray.
Decorate: Add antlers, edible eyeballs and a nose while the chocolate is wet.
Set: Let cookies dry until the chocolate is firm to the touch.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free sandwich cookies and gluten-free pretzels, and confirm eyes and candies are gluten free.
Chocolate swap: Use milk chocolate for sweeter flavor or dark for extra cocoa.
Nut free route: Substitute an oval vanilla sandwich cookie if peanut cookies are off the table.
Sparkle finish: Dust with edible glitter or add white crystal sprinkles for snow.
Serving Suggestions
With savory bites: Enjoy Christmas tree puff pastry appetizers, Christmas tree themed antipasto and perhaps a reindeer cheese ball too.
With more sweet treats: Serve marshmallow pops and maybe Christmas tree cupcakes too.
With a drink: Enjoy cranberry margaritas, eggnog pudding shots, a gingerbread latte rum cocktail or cranberry orange prosecco.
How to Store Nutter Butter Cookies
Store: These Christmas cookies will be good for up to 5 days if you keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you have kids, you might like to keep them hidden in the pantry though, since they can disappear alarmingly fast!
Freeze: I don’t recommed freezing these. The antlers will go soft and so will the cookies.
Top Tips
Cut clean antlers: Snap pretzels at the bends for neat branches.
Stage fast: Lay out decorations before dipping so placement is quick.
Thin as needed: Add a tiny splash of oil if the chocolate feels thick.
Anchor the nose: Press the M&M gently so it sinks slightly into the coat.
Chocolate glue: If the chocolate sets before you decorate, rewarm a little chocolate and use it as glue.
Easy Holiday Reindeer Cookie Treats FAQs
No. It helps flow and shine, but you can skip it if the chocolate melts smoothly.
Yes. Spoon or pipe a smooth oval on each cookie, then add decorations.
Press near the bend and snap gently, then handle from the thick center while placing.
Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookie Recipe
Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Ingredients
- 32 mini pretzels
- 64 candy eyes
- 32 red M&Ms, or similar red candies
- 1 Package Nutter Butter cookies, 16-Ounce
- 1 Cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Break the mini pretzels in half and snap the edges to make the antlers.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir and heat for an additional 30 seconds until melted completely. Next, stir in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and combine.
- Grab a Nutter Butter cookie and dip the face of the cookie into the melted chocolate. Smooth the chocolate with an icing spatula and place it onto a large tray for decoration. Repeat until all cookies are coated.
- Quickly but carefully add the antler pretzels, edible eyeballs, and nose to the wet chocolate. Once decorated, set the reindeer aside on a cooling rack for at least 1 hour to dry before serving.
Notes
Stage fast: Lay out decorations before dipping so placement is quick.
Thin as needed: Add a tiny splash of oil if the chocolate feels thick.
Anchor the nose: Press the M&M gently so it sinks slightly into the coat.
Chocolate glue: If the chocolate sets before you decorate, rewarm a little chocolate and use it as glue.
Nutrition
The merry little faces on reinbeer Nutter Butter cookies deliver big payoff for very little effort. These Christmas treats are perfect for holiday parties. The peanut cookie base pairs perfectly with a smooth chocolate coat, the pretzel antlers add crunchy salt, and the candy eyes and nose finish the look. Set up a quick decorating line, dip a batch and let them dry while you tidy. Bring out Nutter Butter reindeer cookies and expect smiles, quick compliments and a tray that clears faster than you can sing a verse of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer!
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This was a total hit with our guests! Excited to make this again. 🙂
I make these every year. So cute!