Chocolate Reindeer Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
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• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Miniature pretzels
• Red shoestring licorice, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 can chocolate frosting (16 ounces)
• M&M's miniature baking bits, cherry sour balls and nonpareil-coated chocolate candies

Directions

• In a large saucepan over low heat, cook the brown sugar, butter and water until butter is melted. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate chips until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in eggs and extract. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; fold into chocolate mixture.
• Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets; cover and freeze until firm. Transfer frozen cookie dough balls to a large resealable plastic freezer bag. May be frozen for up to 3 months.
• To use frozen cookie dough: Place dough balls 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 13-15 minutes or until surface cracks. Remove to wire racks to cool.
• Meanwhile, cut two rounded sides from each pretzel. Make a 3/4-in. cut in each licorice piece.
• Working with a few cookies at a time, frost cookie and position pretzels for antlers, M&M's for eyes and a sour ball for the nose. Shape licorice for the mouth; place on cookie. Add nonpareil candies for a collar. Yield: about 5 dozen.

Chocolate Reindeer Cookies published in Simple & Delicious November/December 2008, p56