Sweet and Salty Chocolate Reindeer

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch

Makes

4 dozen

Updated: Feb. 10, 2022
You can enlist little hands to help position the antlers, eyes and noses on these adorable, crisp reindeer cookies. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
Sweet and Salty Chocolate Reindeer Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup baking cocoa
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 96 miniature pretzels
  • 96 M&M's miniature baking bits
  • 48 small red gumdrops

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
  2. Divide dough into 8 portions; cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 6-in. circle; cut into 6 wedges. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press in pretzels for antlers, baking bits for eyes and a gumdrop for the nose.
  4. Bake 7-9 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 119 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 130mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.