I love no bake Christmas treats because December is already full. These Nutter Butter reindeer cookies take about 8 minutes with no oven. Nutter Butter cookies, candy eyes, a red M&M nose and pretzel antlers is all it takes. I first made these with a group of boys at an activity and let me tell you, it was a raging hit by all.
I have been in the kitchen with my mom since I was a little little girl and I have learned that the best holiday treats are the ones kids can be apart of too. Younger kids can help place the eyes and the red nose. Older kids can make these all by themselves with a little supervision. It's a fun family activity too.
With a busy family it's always been important to me to find fun ways to bring smiles, laughter and memories into the home. Fun treats like this easy recipe are high on my list
"Super fun activity with the family. Thanks for an easy family night fun. This will be a tradition every year!"
~ Sarah
If you love these cute reindeer cookies and want some more inspiration, you'll love these super cute Peanut Butter Cookie Reindeer, as well as my Christmas Tree Grasshopper Cookies, and these fun Grinch Cookies!
How do you make Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies?
Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies are no bake Christmas cookies made by turning Nutter butter sandwich cookies into reindeer faces. Use 2 candy eyes and 1 red M&M nose on each cookie, add broken pretzel antlers and attach everything with melted chocolate chips. this recipe uses 12 Nutter butters and takes 8 minutes with no oven. And it only takes a minute or two for the melted chocolate to set and hold it all together.
How I Tested These Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Having experience with melted chocolate and loving how Nutter Butter cookies are ideal for a no-bake holiday cookie I instantly knew it was time for a reindeer. I knew melting chocolate chips would hold all the candy pieces in place so I took what I had on hand and put these fun and whimsical Reindeer faces together with Pretzel Antlers and of course a big red M&M nose!
The chocolate is heated for 30 seconds in the microwave and then stir. Add 30 more seconds and stir again. At room temperature it takes 1-2 minutes for the chocolate to set. If you place these cookies in the refrigeration you can cut the time in half. Once set they are ready to serve!
What You Need for Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
A closer look at each ingredient and its role in the recipe.
- Nutter Butter Cookies: The peanut shape is perfect for the Reindeer face.
- Chocolate Chips: When melted the chocolate becomes the glue to hold everything together.
- Candy Eyes: What's a face without the eyes? Substitute mini chocolate chips if needed.
- M&M's: Red, Green, Brown, Yellow. Any color will work for the nose. But I like Red the best!
- Pretzels: Broken Pretzels look like the perfect antler.
How to Make No Bake Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Make sure you have all your ingredients to hand, as these cookies will be ready in a flash! You'll need Nutter Butter cookies, Chocolate for melting, Candy Eyeballs, M&M's, and Pretzels. Use a cookie tray to set the cookies on so that you don't make a mess with the melted chocolate or candies.
Melt the Chocolate Chips in a microwave-safe bowl in two 30-second intervals, stirring after the first one. If the chocolate hasn't completely melted heat for an extra 15 seconds, then stir until smooth.
Put the melted chocolate into a piping bag to pipe the chocolate. You can also use a Ziploc bag with a tiny corner bit snipped off to pipe the chocolate.
Next, break or chop the mini pretzels in half to create 2 separate antlers.
Pipe the melted chocolate onto the top portion of the Nutter Butter Cookie. Then place two pretzel pieces into the chocolate to make the antlers. As the chocolate cools it will hold the pretzel antlers in place.
Draw a short line, or place 2 small dots underneath the antlers and press two candy eyeballs into it for the eyes.
Add a small dollop of chocolate onto a Red M&M Candy and place it on the bottom of the cookie for the nose.
Let the cookies sit at room temperature or put them in the fridge to make sure the melted chocolate cools and sets before serving or storing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Make Nutter Butter Reindeer Sandwiches by adding a little frosting to the back of a Nutter Butter and sandwiching it to another Nutter Butter before making the reindeer face on the front. If you do this, you can also use popsicle sticks wedged between the Nutter Butters to make this treat even handier!
Storage: Store these adorable reindeers in an airtight container at room temperature. You can refrigerate them on a baking sheet to make sure they fully set before serving or storing.
No, they are no bake and take about 8 minutes or less to assemble.
12 cookies using 12 Nutter Butter cookies, 24 candy eyes, and 12 M&M's red noses.
Broken pretzels, attached with melted chocolate chips. Use the straight or the rounded pretzels.
Yes! Kids of all ages can help make these. For little children let them help place the eyes and nose on the face. For older kids let them break apart pretzels and help glue them in place. And teens can make these by themselves with a little supervision.
Can You Make Chocolate Covered Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies?
Yes, you can fully dip the Nutter Butter cookies in chocolate. You will need extra chocolate chips melted to do this. About 1 ½ cups of chocolate chips to cover the 12 cookies in this recipe. Coat the cookies and place on a silicone mat or parchment paper to fully set. Then assemble with the eyes, nose and antlers as directed below.
How to Store Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Store these adorable reindeers in an airtight container at room temperature. You can refrigerate them on a baking sheet to make sure they fully set before serving or storing.
Nutter Butter Christmas Cookie Ideas: Santa and Snowmen versions
Don't stop with just reindeer, you can make Santa or Snowmen versions too! For Snowmen dip nutter butter cookies into melted white melting chocolate and allow to cool. Add mini chocolate chip eyes, and 3 mini M&M's for the buttons. Simply adorable! You can also add some pretzels for the arms too.
Substitutions
- Cookies. Milano Cookies are a great substitution for Nutter Butter Cookies if you have a peanut allergy - they are Gluten-Free as well. You can also use your favorite homemade cookies to make these. Sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies would work well.
- M&M Candies. I have used a larger Red M&M for the red noses. (Crispy M&M) But any size of red candies will work. You could even try a raspberry Gummy candy or Red Hots!
- Candy Eyes. If you can't find candy eyes try using white candy melts with a dot of black icing for the pupil.
- Chocolate. For sticking down the decorations, use milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips, or substitute for chocolate candy melts. Alternatively, use icing made with powdered sugar and a little bit of water.
Tips for Decorating Nutter Butter Christmas Cookies
- Pretzels can be tricky to break in half. Use a sharp knife to cut them evenly, or use whole mini pretzel twists for larger antlers and make No Bake Moose Cookies!
- Let your kids choose their favorite color of M&M's for their reindeer's nose.
- Put a layer of melted chocolate onto the cookie before decorating it with the face, or use the fudge-covered Nutter Butter cookies!
- Give your reindeer different expressions by putting the nose in the middle of the cookie instead of the bottom, and drawing on a mouth with black decorating icing or any excess chocolate you have left in the piping bag.
Have you tried making these Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies?
Let me know what you thought of this recipe! Tag @bestcookierecipes on social media so I can see how adorable your reindeer turned out! I would also love to read your comments below. Let me know what you think of these Christmassy cookies. It really does help!
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Easy Reindeer Cookies with Nutter Butters, M&M's and Pretzels
Ingredients
- 12 Nutter Butter Cookies
- 24 Candy Eyeballs
- 12 Red M&M Candies
- ⅓ cup Chocolate Chips Melted
- Pretzels Broken
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients, Nutter Butter cookies, Candy Eyeballs, M&M's, and Pretzels.
- Melt Chocolate Chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds and stir. Heat for 30 seconds more and stir melted chocolate. If additional time is needed, heat for 15 more seconds and stir until smooth. ⅓ cup Chocolate Chips
- Place melted chocolate into a piping bag or use a Ziploc Bag. Snip a tiny corner bit off the bag to make a small hole to pipe the chocolate.
- Break mini pretzels in half to create 2 separate antlers. Pretzels
- Pipe chocolate onto the top portion of the Nutter Butter Cookie and place two pretzel pieces into the chocolate for the antlers. As the chocolate cools it will hold the pretzel antlers in place. 12 Nutter Butter Cookies
- Draw a short line or place 2 small dots and add candy eyeballs. 24 Candy Eyeballs
- Add a small dollop of chocolate to a Red M&M Candy and place it on the bottom of the cookie for the nose. 12 Red M&M Candies
- Allow the melted chocolate to cool completely and set before serving or storing them.
Notes
- Cookies. Milano Cookies are a great substitution for Nutter Butter Cookies in this no bake recipe.
- M&M Candies. I have used a larger Red M&M. (Crispy M&M) But any size Red Candy will work. You could even try a raspberry Gummy candy or Red Hots!
- Pretzels. Pretzels can be tricky to break in half. Use whole mini pretzels for larger antlers to make No Bake Moose Cookies!
- Storage: Store these adorable reindeer in an airtight container at room temperature. You can refrigerate them on a baking
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