Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies are the cutest easy holiday treat! You only need 3 ingredients and a few candies to make these cookies. You don't even need to shape the cookies because they are baked in a mini muffin tin... how easy does that sound?!
Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe
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When it comes to the holidays everyone loves an adorable treat! They are so festive, fun and bring so much joy to the holidays. These reindeer cookies are not only cute and easy, they are so yummy! Perfect for chocolate peanut butter lovers.
What are Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
The base of these cookies is a peanut butter cookie that is baked in a mini muffin tin and stuffed with a mini peanut butter cup. The adorable reindeer faces are made by breaking pretzels into pieces to create antlers, a red M&M for the nose, and some candy eyes to create the face.
More Holiday Baking Recipes!
- Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats
- Christmas Tree Brownies
- Oreo Fudge
- Gingerbread Truffles
- Holiday Fudge Gift Boxes
Ingredients
- Peanut Butter, Sugar and Egg - this is a simple 3 ingredient peanut butter cookie dough that has been created using regular smooth peanut butter. Please do not use natural peanut butter as it has a different texture and the cookies will not bake properly.
- Pretzels - used for the reindeer antlers.
- Mini Peanut Butter Cups - used to create the face for the reindeer.
- Red M&M's - you can use M&M's or any candy coated chocolate of choice. Skittles also work great but they do add a fruity flavor to the peanut butter and chocolate cookies.
- Candy Eyes - if you cannot find small candy eyes, you can use mini chocolate chips instead.
How to Make Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of page
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 24 cup mini muffin tin, or 12 cup regular sized muffin tin (note: it is recommended to use a mini muffin tin).
- Mix all cookie ingredients in a bowl until evenly combined.
- Use a small cookie scooper or spoon to scoop the cookie dough into the muffin tin. Gently use the back of the cookie scooper, spoon, or your hands to press the dough into the muffin tin.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and carefully press one mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie.
- Break the pretzels in half to create the reindeer antlers, gently place two antlers on each peanut butter cup. The heat of the cookie will slightly melt the chocolate allowing the pretzels to stick.
- Place one M&M as the nose on each cookie and add two candy eyes or mini chocolate chips for eyes.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin. Then carefully remove each cookie and place on a cooling rack. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Cookies
- Cookie Dough - this recipe is made with a simple 3 ingredient cookie dough using regular smooth peanut butter. Natural peanut butter has a different texture and will not bake properly in this recipe, we do not recommend using natural peanut butter for this recipe.
- Decorations - once the cookies are baked it is important to place the mini peanut butter cups into the cookies immediately so that the heat from the cookies can slightly melt the chocolate. Once the chocolate starts to melt you can then place the antlers, nose and eyes on. As the chocolate hardens again at room temperature it will glue the decorations to the cookies. If you need a bit more time to decorate and the chocolate starts to harden you can place the cookie tray back in the warm oven for 15-20 seconds to warm up the top layer of the chocolate again.
- Flavor Variations - this recipe is made using a peanut butter cookie and a mini peanut butter cup. However, if you would like to make a nut free version you can use sugar cookie dough (store bought or homemade) and swap the peanut butter cup for any other chocolate you prefer.
FAQ
Store the cooled decorated cookies in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 5-6 days. You can also freeze the cooking, see below.
Yes! These cookies are great for make ahead. We recommend making them up to 4 days in advance, the cookies are best when they are freshly made but you can make them ahead and store at room temperature or in freezer.
Yes, these cookies are freezer friendly. We recommend freezing in an air tight container. Place the cooled decorated cookies in a single layer, freeze for up to 3 months.
To make these cookies gluten free use gluten free pretzels and ensure the brand of peanut butter used is gluten free.
Easy Holiday Appetizers!
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Meatball Subs on a Stick
- Cranberry Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups
Enjoy!
- Sab
Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Cookies
- 1 cup peanut butter (smooth, not all natural peanut butter)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
Decorations
- 1 cup pretzels
- 24 mini peanut butter cups
- 24 M&M’s (or other round colored candy for noses)
- 48 candy eyes (or 48 mini chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 24 cup mini muffin tin, or 12 cup regular sized muffin tin (note: it is recommended to use a mini muffin tin).
- Mix all cookie ingredients in a bowl until evenly combined.
- Use a small cookie scooper or spoon to scoop the cookie dough into the muffin tin. Gently use the back of the cookie scooper, spoon, or your hands to press the dough into the muffin tin.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and carefully press one mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie.
- Break the pretzels in half to create the reindeer antlers, gently place two antlers on each peanut butter cup. The heat of the cookie will slightly melt the chocolate allowing the pretzels to stick.
- Place one M&M as the nose on each cookie and add two candy eyes or mini chocolate chips for eyes.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin. Then carefully remove each cookie and place on a cooling rack. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Linda says
Thanks for this! Too cute and so delicious 😋
Tony says
These are a must make now in my house! Always a big hit and fun for kids to participate.