Easy Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies: Your Go-To No-Bake Holiday Treat

Get ready to add a dash of festive magic to your holiday season with these utterly adorable Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies! These no-bake delights are not only incredibly fun to make but also serve as the perfect charming treat for any Christmas celebration, cozy family movie night, or cheerful holiday gathering. Imagine the smiles when these cute peanut butter reindeer make an appearance on your dessert table!

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, beginning with readily available store-bought Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookies. With just a handful of additional ingredients, these classic peanut butter treats are miraculously transformed into whimsical reindeer characters. Both children and adults will be captivated by their charm and delicious taste. If you’re a devoted fan of Nutter Butter cookies, you might also enjoy exploring other creative uses, such as our delightful Nutter Butter Ice Cream recipe.

For those who love crafting holiday-themed treats, these Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies are just the beginning! We have a whole sleigh-load of other fun reindeer recipes that are equally simple and turn out incredibly cute. Be sure to check out our charming Reindeer Cake Pops, delightful Reindeer Pretzel Rods, addictive Reindeer Chow, or the ever-popular Best Reindeer Pretzels. Making Christmas Desserts is one of our favorite holiday traditions, and these festive reindeer cookies are consistently a top pick!

Why You’ll Love These Easy Reindeer Cookies

These Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience waiting to happen! Here’s why they’re sure to become a beloved part of your holiday repertoire:

• Unbeatable Kid-Friendliness: This recipe is a dream come true for families during the busy holiday season. Little hands can easily participate in almost every step, from arranging the pretzels to placing the candy eyes and red noses. It’s an excellent activity for a Christmas party, school event, or just a fun afternoon at home, creating lasting memories and adorable treats. The process is simple enough for even the youngest bakers to feel a sense of accomplishment.
• Effortless No-Bake Convenience: Say goodbye to preheating ovens, hot cookie sheets, and precise baking times. These no-bake cookies are incredibly easy and require absolutely no baking. This means less stress, less mess, and more time enjoying the festive season. They’re perfect for filling out a holiday cookie tray when your oven is busy with other dishes or when you simply need a quick, impressive dessert without the fuss.
• Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Impact: You only need five basic ingredients to bring these adorable little reindeer to life. This simplicity makes them not only budget-friendly but also incredibly quick to assemble. You won’t need a trip to a specialty store; most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. Despite their humble beginnings, these cookies have a huge impact, charming everyone with their festive appeal.
• Peanut Butter Perfection: If you or your loved ones are fans of the classic Nutter Butter taste, these cookies deliver that irresistible peanut butter flavor in a fun, new format. The combination of salty pretzels, sweet chocolate, and rich peanut butter is a crowd-pleaser that never disappoints.

Simple Ingredients for Nutter Butter Reindeer

Crafting these festive reindeer is delightfully straightforward, requiring just a few key components. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to begin your no-bake adventure:

• Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookies: The star of our show! These iconic peanut butter sandwich cookies form the perfect body and face for our reindeer. Their oval shape is naturally suited for the reindeer’s head, and their rich peanut butter flavor is always a hit. While store-bought works wonderfully for speed and convenience, if you’re feeling ambitious, you could even try a Homemade Nutter Butter Cookie Recipe for an extra personal touch.
• Mini Pretzel Twists: These crunchy, salty snacks are ingeniously used to create the reindeer’s antlers. The “mini” size is absolutely essential here, as their delicate twists break easily to form realistic, perfectly scaled antlers for your Nutter Butter base. Their subtle saltiness also provides a wonderful contrast to the sweet peanut butter and chocolate.
• Small Candy Eyes: These edible decorative eyes are what truly bring your reindeer to life, giving them their charming, expressive gaze. Opt for the small size to ensure they fit proportionately on the Nutter Butter cookies. You can find these in the baking aisle of most grocery stores or craft shops that carry baking supplies.
• Red M&Ms: What’s a reindeer without a glowing red nose? Specifically, a red M&M acts as Rudolph’s iconic beacon, adding a vibrant pop of color and a touch of sweetness. Make sure to pick out the red ones from a standard bag, or look for holiday-themed M&M mixes that often feature a higher concentration of red candies. Alternatively, other small red candies can work in a pinch.
• Chocolate Chips: These aren’t just for melting and eating (though that’s a bonus!). Melted chocolate chips serve a crucial role as the edible “glue” that holds all your reindeer’s features in place. Using a good quality chocolate, whether semi-sweet, milk, or dark, will ensure a smooth melt and a delicious adhesion.

For a detailed breakdown of quantities for each ingredient and a printable recipe card, please scroll down to the bottom of this post.

Creative Variations & Customization Ideas

While making these Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies is a blast on its own, especially when watching festive classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” don’t hesitate to get creative! Here are some fun variations to make your reindeer even more unique and delicious:

• Full Chocolate Dip: For an extra layer of indulgence and a more uniform look, consider dipping the entire Nutter Butter cookie in melted white chocolate or milk chocolate before adding the features. Allow the chocolate coating to set slightly before decorating as normal. This adds a beautiful sheen and another dimension of flavor. You can even use different colored candy melts for a colorful herd!
• Alternative Red Noses: If red M&Ms aren’t your preference or are hard to find, red hots candies make a fantastic, spicy alternative for the reindeer noses. Other options include small red jelly beans, gumdrops cut into smaller pieces, or even a dot of red icing applied with a piping bag.
• Candy Melts as Adhesive: Instead of chocolate chips, you can use candy melts (white, brown, or even festive colors) to secure the pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and M&M noses. Candy melts tend to set more quickly and offer a wider range of colors, which can be fun for customizing.
• Antlers Inside the Cookie: For a more integrated look and potentially more secure antlers, carefully open the Nutter Butter cookies (they often split easily). Place the pretzel antler halves directly into the creamy peanut butter filling, then gently press the other cookie half back on top. If you choose this method, consider purchasing the “double nutty buddy” or “double stuff” varieties for extra filling to better secure the antlers.
• Add a Touch of Sparkle: Before the melted chocolate sets, sprinkle a tiny bit of edible glitter or holiday sprinkles around the antlers or eyes for an extra festive touch. Gold or silver edible dust can also create a magical shimmer.
• Different Reindeer Personalities: Use different colored M&Ms (brown, green, yellow) for a diverse group of reindeer noses, not just Rudolph! You can also use various sizes of candy eyes to give each reindeer a unique expression.

Crafting Your Reindeer: Step-by-Step Instructions

Making these charming Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies is a simple and enjoyable process. Follow these easy steps to bring your festive treats to life!

Repeat these steps for all your Nutter Butter cookies. Once decorated, allow them to rest until the chocolate has fully hardened, securing all the festive features in place.

Expert Tips for Perfect Nutter Butter Reindeer

To ensure your Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies turn out perfectly festive and sturdy, keep these helpful tips in mind:

• Allow Ample Setting Time: This is a crucial step! After decorating, let your reindeer Nutter Butters sit undisturbed for approximately 20-30 minutes, or even longer, until the melted chocolate is completely hardened. This ensures all the pieces are securely attached and won’t fall off when handled. For faster setting, you can place them in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
• Precision with Chocolate Application: A little melted chocolate goes a long way. To avoid excess chocolate oozing out, use a toothpick or a small decorator’s brush to dab precise amounts of chocolate onto the cookie where you want to attach the antlers, eyes, and nose. This method gives you better control and a cleaner finish.
• Frosting as an Alternative Adhesive: If you prefer not to use chocolate, or want a slightly softer texture, use a small amount of stiff frosting (like buttercream or royal icing) as your adhesive. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag with a small round tip, or even a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off, to pipe small dots onto the cookies before adding your toppings.
• Prepare Your Workspace: Before you start decorating, line your baking sheets or a large flat surface with parchment paper or wax paper. This prevents the cookies from sticking as the chocolate hardens and makes for incredibly easy cleanup. It also provides a neat area for assembly.
• Careful Pretzel Cutting: Cutting mini pretzel twists can sometimes be tricky as they are delicate. Always use a sharp knife and cut them on a stable, flat cutting board. Apply gentle, even pressure. If a few break imperfectly, don’t worry, you’ll likely have extra, and slightly imperfect antlers add to the charm!
• Work in Batches: If you’re making a large quantity, work in small batches, especially when melting chocolate. This prevents the chocolate from hardening in your bowl before you’ve had a chance to use it, and keeps the decorating process smooth and efficient.
• Get Kids Involved Safely: While cutting pretzels and melting chocolate should be done by an adult, children can be safely involved in placing the candy eyes, M&Ms, and even pressing the pretzel antlers into the melted chocolate dabs. Supervise closely and turn it into a fun family activity.

Storage and Make-Ahead Advice

These Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies are wonderfully stable and can be prepared in advance, making them an ideal holiday treat for busy schedules. Here’s how to store them to keep them fresh and ready for festive enjoyment:

• Room Temperature Storage: Once the chocolate has completely set and hardened, you can store your leftover Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies in an airtight container or a large ziploc bag. Keep them at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat, for up to 1 week. Placing parchment paper between layers of cookies can help prevent them from sticking together.
• Refrigeration for Setting: While not necessary for long-term storage, placing the freshly decorated cookies in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes immediately after making them can significantly speed up the chocolate setting process. This helps to firmly secure all the decorative elements. Once set, they can return to room temperature storage.
• Freezing (Optional): If you want to make these even further in advance or have many leftovers, these cookies can be frozen. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container, again using parchment paper between layers. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving. Note that the pretzels might lose a tiny bit of their crispness after freezing, but they will still be delicious.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: The no-bake nature of these cookies makes them perfect for preparing a day or two before your holiday event. This frees up valuable time on the day of the party, allowing you to relax and enjoy the festivities. Just remember to store them properly so they remain fresh and picture-perfect.

More Festive Christmas Cookies to Explore

The holiday season is all about indulging in sweet treats and creating joyful culinary traditions. If you loved making these Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies, you’re in for a treat! We have a fantastic collection of other easy and delicious Christmas cookies that are perfect for sharing with family and friends. Expand your holiday baking repertoire with these delightful options:

• Classic Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies Recipe
• Charming Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
• Easy & Fun Grinch Cookies Recipe
• Delicious Reindeer Brownies

We absolutely love hearing from you and seeing your wonderful creations! If you make these festive Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies, please consider leaving us a star review and sharing your experience. Your feedback helps us create even more delightful recipes!

Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies

5 from 2 votes (User ratings)

Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies are a fun, festive, and incredibly easy no-bake dessert, perfect for spreading holiday cheer.

Prep Time
15 mins

Setting Time
20-30 mins

Total Time
35-45 mins

Yields
24 Cookies

Cuisine
American

Course
Dessert

Calories
83

Author
Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

• 24 Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookies
• 24 Mini Pretzel Twists (for antlers, cut in half)
• 48 Small Candy Eyes
• 24 Red M&Ms (for noses)
• ¼ cup Chocolate Chips (for melting and glue)

Instructions

1. Carefully cut each mini pretzel in half. These will form the reindeer antlers. Using a large, sharp knife on a flat surface can help prevent breakage.
2. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second bursts, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted.
3. Using the melted chocolate as an adhesive, dab a small amount onto the top of a Nutter Butter cookie. Place two pretzel halves onto the chocolate to create the antlers.
4. Apply small dots of melted chocolate to attach two candy eyes just below the antlers. Then, add another small dot of chocolate below the eyes (towards the center of the cookie) and press a red M&M into it for the reindeer’s nose.
5. Continue decorating all the Nutter Butter cookies in the same manner.
6. Allow the decorated cookies to sit for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until the chocolate has completely hardened and all the pieces are secure.
7. Once set, your Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies are ready to serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 83kcal, Carbohydrates 12g, Protein 1g, Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0.01g, Cholesterol 0.4mg, Sodium 64mg, Potassium 2mg, Fiber 0.1g, Sugar 6g, Vitamin A 6IU, Vitamin C 0.04mg, Calcium 4mg, Iron 0.1mg

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