The holiday season is filled with so much joy. Twinkling lights, festive music, and of course, the smell of fresh baking wafting from the kitchen. It’s a time for creating memories with loved ones.
Sometimes, holiday baking can feel a little stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. Today, we are making some incredibly Fun Christmas Desserts that are simple, tasty, and so delightful to look at. These peanut butter reindeer cookies are a family favorite.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this recipe is incredibly easy. You do not need any special cookie cutters or fancy equipment. It is all about simple shapes and creative assembly. This makes it a wonderful activity to do with kids.
The flavor is classic comfort. Who can resist the combination of sweet peanut butter and rich chocolate? It’s a taste that brings a smile to everyone’s face. These cookies are soft, chewy, and completely satisfying.
Plus, they are just so charming. These little reindeer faces are some of the most Cute Christmas Desserts you can make. They look fantastic on a holiday platter and are always a conversation starter at parties.
They are also quite sturdy, which makes them great for gifting or including in a holiday cookie exchange. You get to share some truly memorable and Fun Christmas Treats with friends and family.
Ingredients
The ingredients for these Easy Christmas Sweets are probably already in your pantry. Here is what you will need to gather.
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 72 small pretzel twists, or as needed
- ½ cup chocolate chips, or as needed
A quick note on the butter. Make sure it is properly softened to room temperature. This helps it cream together with the sugar for a smooth dough. It makes a big difference.
Step By Step Instructions
Let’s get started on these Fun Christmas Desserts. Follow these simple steps for perfect reindeer cookies every time.
Step 1: Preheat And Prep
First things first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F or 190 degrees C. This is an important step. A properly heated oven ensures your cookies bake evenly from the moment they go in.
While the oven is heating up, go ahead and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup so much easier. I always recommend it.
Step 2: Make The Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, white sugar, and smooth peanut butter together. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer for this. Continue beating until it is smooth and creamy.
Next, add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and salt. Mix everything together until it is well combined. The mixture should look light and fluffy at this stage.
Now it is time for the dry ingredients. Gradually stir in the all purpose flour and baking soda. Mix until the dough is just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as that can make the cookies tough.
Step 3: Shape The Reindeer
Here comes the really enjoyable part, creating your Christmas Themed Desserts. Roll the cookie dough into 36 equal sized balls. They should be about one inch in diameter.
Take each ball and gently flatten it with your palm. Then, use your fingers to shape the flattened circle into an upside down triangle. This will form the reindeer’s head. It does not have to be exact.
Now for the antlers. Gently press two small pretzel twists into the top two corners of each triangle. Be gentle so you do not crack the pretzels or the cookie dough. This gives them that classic reindeer look.
For the face, press two chocolate chips into the center of the triangle for the eyes. Then, add one more chocolate chip or a red candy for the nose at the bottom point of the triangle. Your little reindeer are coming to life.
Carefully arrange your completed cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Leave a little space between them as they will spread slightly while baking. These are such Cute Christmas Desserts.
Step 4: Bake To Golden Perfection
Place the baking sheets in your preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. You are looking for the cookies to be a lovely golden brown color around the edges.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set up properly. And that’s it. You have made some truly Fun Christmas Desserts.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any of these delicious cookies left over, storing them is easy. Let the cookies cool completely before you put them away. This is key to keeping them fresh.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and tasty for up to a week. Placing a slice of bread in the container can help keep them soft, which is a neat little trick.
You can also freeze these cookies. For baked cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer safe bag. They will last for up to three months.
You can also freeze the unbaked dough. Shape the reindeer heads without the pretzels and chocolate, then freeze. When you are ready to bake, add the decorations and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Tips
Want to make your baking experience even better? Here are a few tips for making these Fun Christmas Treats. Use smooth peanut butter for the best texture in the dough. The creamy kind incorporates much better.
If your dough feels too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will make it much easier to roll and shape without making a mess. A little patience goes a long way.
For a festive touch, use red candy coated chocolates for the noses. This gives some of your reindeer that classic Rudolph look. It is a simple swap that adds a lot of character and makes for very Cute Christmas Desserts.
Feel free to get creative with the eyes too. Mini chocolate chips work great, but you could also use small candy eyes if you have them. It is all part of making these your own special Fun Christmas Desserts.
Conclusion
Baking during the holidays should be a joyful experience, not a chore. This recipe for peanut butter reindeer cookies is all about simplicity and enjoyment. It is a fantastic way to create something special without a lot of fuss.
These cookies are more than just Easy Christmas Sweets. They are a way to make lasting memories in the kitchen. The process is just as rewarding as the final, delicious result.
So, this holiday season, I hope you give these Fun Christmas Desserts a try. Gather your family, put on some festive tunes, and have a wonderful time creating these adorable treats together. Happy baking.
FAQ
Can I Use Crunchy Peanut Butter?
You can, but it will change the texture of the cookies. Smooth peanut butter creates a more uniform and soft cookie. Crunchy peanut butter will add little nut pieces throughout. It is a matter of personal preference.
What If I Have A Nut Allergy?
For a nut free version, you can substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or a similar alternative. Always check the labels to ensure they are produced in a nut free facility if the allergy is severe.
How Far In Advance Can I Make These?
These cookies hold up very well. You can bake them up to five days in advance and store them in an airtight container. The dough can also be made and refrigerated for up to three days before baking.
Are These Cookies Good For A Cookie Exchange?
Absolutely. These are wonderful Christmas Themed Desserts for a cookie exchange. They are sturdy enough to be packaged and transported easily, and their cute appearance always makes them a popular choice.
Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
These simple and tasty peanut butter reindeer cookies are a delightful family favorite for the holiday season, perfect for creating lasting memories.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, white sugar, and smooth peanut butter until smooth and creamy, using a stand or hand mixer.
- Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the all purpose flour and baking soda until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Roll the cookie dough into 36 equal sized balls, about one inch in diameter.
- Gently flatten each ball with your palm and shape it into an upside down triangle for the reindeer’s head.
- Press two small pretzel twists into the top two corners of each triangle for antlers.
- Press two chocolate chips into the center for eyes, and one more chocolate chip or a red candy for the nose at the bottom point.
- Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving space for spreading.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Let the cookies cool completely before storing. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Placing a slice of bread in the container can help keep them soft, which is a neat little trick.
You can also freeze these cookies. For baked cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer safe bag. They will last for up to three months.
You can also freeze the unbaked dough. Shape the reindeer heads without the pretzels and chocolate, then freeze. When you are ready to bake, add the decorations and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Use smooth peanut butter for the best texture in the dough. The creamy kind incorporates much better.
If your dough feels too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will make it much easier to roll and shape without making a mess.
For a festive touch, use red candy coated chocolates for the noses. This gives some of your reindeer that classic Rudolph look.
Feel free to get creative with the eyes too. Mini chocolate chips work great, but you could also use small candy eyes if you have them.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
