Easy Reindeer Cookies make an adorable addition to the holiday dessert table or Santa's cookie plate! Make these super simple with pre-made cookie dough or bake sugar cookies from scratch.
Combine 1 cup softened butter, sugar and egg in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.
1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated white sugar, 1 large egg
Add orange juice and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
2 Tablespoons orange juice, 1 Tablespoon vanilla
Add flour and baking powder; beat at low speed until well mixed.
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder
Divide dough into thirds. Shape each third into a ball; flatten slightly. Wrap each in plastic food wrap; refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or until firm. (I prepped mine the night before)
When ready to bake, heat oven to 400°F.
Roll out dough, one-third at a time, on lightly floured surface (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8- to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Bake 6-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
Let stand 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely.
To Decorate
Melt the baking chips in a microwave safe bowl with the coconut oil - 30 seconds, stir, 30 seconds, stir, until smooth.
1/4 cup Ghirardelli baking chips, 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Put the melted chocolate into a plastic baggie. Snip the tip (very tip - small cut) to pipe the antlers and noses on.
Attach the mini M&M noses to the chocolate "glue".
30 mini red M&M's
Let set then enjoy!
Notes
Mini M&Ms – Perfect for the reindeer noses.
Ghirardelli Baking Chips – High-quality chocolate for best results.
Lipped Baking Sheets – Keeps everything in place while baking or decorating.
How to Decorate:
Melt ¼ cup chocolate chips with 1 tsp coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl:
Heat for 30 seconds, then stir.
Continue in 10-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
Pour melted chocolate into a small plastic baggie.
Snip the tip to pipe on antlers and eyes.
Use a small dot of chocolate to attach a mini M&M nose.