Fun, easy to make, and the best part is, these Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies are no-bake! If you love chocolate no-bake desserts, this is the recipe for you. Kids and adults will surely love this cute holiday reindeer dessert!
Looking for cookies like this? Try my Polar Bear Cookies or Christmas Tree Cookies!
Putting these peanut butter reindeer cookies together was simple, and to make the Nutter Butters even better, try dipping the cookies in dark chocolate. So good! However, when placing the eyes on the cookie, just be careful not to let the eye flip because once it flips over and the white becomes dark, the cookies end up looking like a scary cookie instead of Christmas cookies.
Try making this simple yet adorable holiday treat and satisfy your cravings for a sweet indulgence. Keep reading for tips and variations on this recipe. Enjoy!
Jump to:
Ingredients
The following are the ingredients that you will need:
- green sprinkles
- red M&Ms
- eyes
- shortening
- nutter butters
- pretzels
- dark chocolate candy melts
- popsicle stick
See the recipe card for the quantities.
Instructions
Gather the ingredients for this Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies recipe. Once the ingredients are all ready, let’s begin!
Follow the instructions to melt the dark chocolate in a mixing bowl, and once it's melted, add the shortening and stir well:
Grab the cookie and open it up. Then, dip the popsicle stick in the chocolate mixture and place it between the cookies:
Close the cookies by pressing one against the other:
Wait about 10 seconds and dip the cookie in the chocolate:
Grab the pretzel pieces and dip them in the chocolate:
Place on the cookies the candy eyes, red M&M, and green sprinkles:
Let it sit for a couple of minutes before handling it:
There you have it, Simply Bakers! A no-bake Christmas Day dessert that looks so fun and easy to make!
Substitutions
- Chocolate Chips: Instead of regular chocolate chips, use dairy-free mini chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, or carob chips.
- Pretzels: If you don't want to use pretzels for the reindeer antlers, you can substitute thin pretzel sticks, gluten-free mini pretzels, or even little bits of pretzel-shaped crackers.
- Peanut Butter: If you want to avoid peanuts or want a different flavor, you might use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter instead.
- Candy eyes: If you can't locate or don't want to use candy eyes, you can make the reindeer eyes out of micro chocolate chips, raisins, or small drops of icing.
Variations
- Coconut Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies: Dip Nutter Butter cookies in melted chocolate and then roll them in shredded coconut.
- Peanut Butter Cup Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies: Create the reindeer's body by pressing little peanut butter cups onto Nutter Butter cookies.
- Coating Options: To add flavor and sweetness, feel free to spread either caramel sauce, semi-sweet milk chocolate, Nutella, melted white chocolate, melted mint chocolate, strawberry jam, or raspberry jam over Nutter Butter cookies, then decorate with candy eyes and a red candy nose to create cute reindeer faces.
Storage
- Store these peanut butter reindeer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat, for 5 to 7 days.
- Keep any extra decorations separate to avoid them becoming soggy or losing their shape.
- To keep the layers from sticking together, add a sheet of wax or parchment paper between each one.
- You may refrigerate the cookies to extend their shelf life, especially if your kitchen is warm. Simply allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- For long-term storage, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Before serving, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Top Tip
After putting the two nutter butter cookies together, allow them to adhere to each other before handling them again. By letting it dry for some time, you will prevent the cookies from breaking apart.
FAQs
Here are more delicious Christmas cookie recipes that you should try:
- Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies
- Snickerdoodle Eggnog Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies
- Brownie Meringue Cookies | 5 Ingredients ONLY
- Choco Mint Blossom Cookies
- No-Bake Cookie Dough Truffles
- Chocolate Nutter Butters
Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- green sprinkles
- red M&Ms
- eyes
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- nutter butters
- pretzels
- 12 oz dark chocolate candy melts
- popsicle stick
Instructions
- Follow the instructions to melt the dark chocolate and once it's melted add the shortening and mix.
- Grab the cookie and open it up. Then, dip the popsicle stick in the chocolate melt, place it between the cookies, and close the cookie. Wait about 10 seconds and dip the cookie in the chocolate.
- Grab the pretzel(s) and dip in the chocolate and place on the cookie, place eyes, M&M and green sprinkle and let it sit for a couple of minutes before handling it.
Watch The Recipe Video!
Are you a Nutter Butter fan? I am, and one of my viewers commented on my YouTube channel and pointed out that the Nutter Butter Cookies are underrated, and I agree with her! I don't know when I grew fond of Nutter Butter Cookies, but I found them to be delicious and satisfying. Check this out!
Carlee says
Wow! I need this recipe!
Lainey says
Awww, thanks Carlee! Try some more recipes!
Anonymous says
...[jingle thanks]
Mae says
They look so cute, easy, and fun to make. Thank you for this easy cookie recipe, Lainey! I would love to make them with kids someday. 🙂