Christmas Reindeer Cookie Cake made with soft, buttery cookie dough, sweet frosting, and adorable pretzel “antlers” for a festive treat. Topped with candy eyes and a bright nose, each slice turns simple ingredients into a whimsical holiday dessert.
This reindeer cookie craft is a delicious, hands-on treat that brings holiday creativity and family time together. Using an oversized chocolate chip cookie as the base, get your family to join in decorating with pretzels, M&Ms, and candy eyes to create eight adorable reindeer. It’s festive, fun, and perfect for making sweet memories in the kitchen! Once sliced, each person gets their own reindeer-topped piece—ideal for sharing, celebrating, and enjoying the magic of the season.
Reindeer Cookie Ingredients
Butter: 1 cup of softened butter adds richness and helps create a soft, chewy cookie texture.
Sugars: Use ¾ cup of each brown sugar and granulated sugar, for a chewy cookies with a nice depth of flavor.
Eggs: You need a couple large eggs to bind the dough together and add structure.
Extract: Enhance and round out the overall flavor by adding vanilla extract.
Leavening agents: Combine 2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour with 1 tsp of baking soda for the base of this cookie dough and to help the cookie puff up as it bakes.
Salt: Use a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors in this cookie dough.
Chocolate: Adds pockets of melty chocolate and texture.
Frosting: You’ll need 1 stick of butter, 4 cups of powdered sugar, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract to make a simple homemade buttercream frosting.
Toppings: Use 16 mini pretzels, 16 candy eyes, 7 brown M&Ms, and 1 red M&M (plus sprinkles, if desired), to decorate each slice of this cookie cake.
Helpful tips for making your Reindeer Cookie Cake:
Even Layer: Press the dough evenly into the pan to ensure it bakes uniformly and doesn’t dome in the center.
Don’t Overbake: Check the cookie at 35 minutes—the edges should be golden while the center is just set, so it stays soft and chewy.
Cool Completely: Let the cookie cake cool fully before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too thick for piping, add a small splash of milk or cream gradually until it’s smooth but still holds its shape.
Team Effort: Let each family member decorate their own slice—assign pretzels for antlers, candy eyes, and M&Ms so everyone gets creative.
How long is this Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake good for?
If stored well-covered in the fridge, these cookie wedges can last up to a week, but they’re best enjoyed within a day or two. Over time, the frosting and moisture in the fridge can make the pretzels lose their crunch and become soft.
Can you freeze this Reindeer Cookie Cake?
You can also freeze this Reindeer Cookie Cake, but it’s best to do so before adding frosting or toppings. Wrap the undecorated cookie tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2–3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the cookie cake in the fridge overnight and then decorate with frosting, pretzels, candy eyes, and M&Ms just before serving. Keep in mind that freezing after decorating may cause the pretzels and candy to lose their crunch, so it’s best to add those fresh.
Can I make this cookie cake in a different pan size?
Yes! You can use a 8 or 9-inch round pan, but baking time may need to be adjusted slightly. Keep an eye on the cookie—it should be golden around the edges and just set in the center.
Can I use store-bought frosting instead of making my own?
Absolutely! Store-bought buttercream works well and can save time. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold the pretzels and candy decorations in place.
How many reindeer does Santa have?
Santa has 8 reindeer, not including Rudolph so this cake is missing someone, but who? To make the cake more traditionally you can omit the red nose and add an extra brown to make sure the regular crew of reindeer is all included in this dessert.
Check out more festive cookies to put you in the Christmas spirit!
- Mint Christmas Cookies are buttery shortbread treats dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with festive holiday decorations. Their bright green color and minty flavor make them perfect for cookie exchanges and gift plates!
- Bring holiday cheer to your cookie plate with these festive Christmas Jello Sugar Cookies! Made with red and green Jello in both the cookies and the frosting, they’re bursting with bright flavor and color.
- These Holiday Snickerdoodles are soft, chewy, and rolled in a warm blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg sugar. With a festive gingerbread twist, they’re the perfect cookies for Christmas baking and sharing!
- Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are buttery shortbread treats loaded with sweet cherries and crunchy pecans, then rolled in coconut for a festive, snowy look. Perfect for slice-and-bake fun, these cookies bring a classic holiday twist to your Christmas baking!
- The Grinch may have tried to steal Christmas, but these Grinch Thumbprint Cookies will steal your heart! Filled with green chocolate and topped with a red heart sprinkle, they’re a fun and festive treat for the holidays.
- Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Icing are soft, warmly spiced treats finished with a smooth, sweet maple glaze. They’re the perfect cozy cookie for celebrating the holidays!
This reindeer cookie cake is a large dessert to share with friends and family. Made with a chocolate chip cookie base and adorned with 8 tiny reindeer this cookie really takes the cake!
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