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5.0 from 9 votes

Reindeer Cookies

Soft chocolate cookies with candy faces and pretzel antlers. Easy Christmas cookie recipe!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
27 mins
Servings: 20 cookies
Calories: 197 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
  • 40 mini pretzel twists
  • 60 mini M&M baking bits

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
  2. Microwave the butter in a large, microwave-safe bowl for about 40 seconds. Butter should mostly melted.
  3. Whisk the butter until it is completely melted.
  4. Add the sugars; mix until well-combined.
  5. Stir in vanilla and egg until incorporated.
  6. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Please read the recipe note about properly measuring flour.
  7. Mix dough until just combined. Dough should be soft and a little sticky but not overly sticky.
  8. Stir in mini chocolate chips.
  9. Scoop out 1.5 tablespoons of dough (medium cookie scoop) and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
  10. Add two mini pretzel twists to the top of each cookie.
  11. Place two brown M&Ms and one red M&M on each cookie to make the face.
  12. Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until cookies are set. They will be puffy and still look a little underbaked in the middle.

Notes

  • Butter: This recipe uses melted butter. I prefer to use salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter + an additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt if you prefer.
  • Sugars: This recipe uses both brown sugar and granulated (white sugar). You can use either dark or light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar will give you a slightly richer flavor.
  • Measuring Flour: If you aren’t weighing your ingredients, I can’t recommend that enough. If you are using measuring cups, be sure to sift or stir the flour before measuring. Flour packs easily and using too much flour in cookies will give you dry, crumbly dough and cookies that don’t spread.
  • Candies: I use M&Ms mini baking bits for both the eyes and the nose. I've also used regular chocolate M&Ms to make these cookies.
  • Baking: One of the keys to make soft cookies is slightly underbaking the cookies. This means that the edges should look set but the middles should still look puffy and soft.
  • Nutrition values are estimates. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cookie Calories 197kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 31g (10%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 21mg (7%) Sodium 257mg (11%) Potassium 78mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 160IU (3%) Calcium 20mg (2%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 197

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cookie
Calories 197kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 31g 10%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 21mg 7%
Sodium 257mg 11%
Potassium 78mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 160IU 3%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.