Dessert

Reindeer Drop Cookies Recipe

Byanna orden September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

Introduction

Reindeer drop cookies are soft, chocolatey treats perfect for the holiday season. Each cookie is topped with creamy chocolate frosting, candy eyes, a red sprinkle nose, and chocolate-covered pretzel antlers that add a fun festive touch.

The image shows round chocolate balls shaped like reindeer heads. Each ball has two white candy eyes with black centers and a small red candy nose in the front center. On top, two chocolate pretzel antlers are placed to look like reindeer antlers. The reindeer heads sit on a white marbled surface, with green rosemary sprigs and small red candies spread around them as decoration. The chocolate balls are smooth and shiny, and the arrangement creates a festive, playful look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¼ cup Butter, room temperature
3 tablespoons Cream Cheese, room temperature
½ cup Brown Sugar, packed
¼ cup White Granulated Sugar
1 Large Egg
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
3 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
½ teaspoon Baking Soda
½ teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash of Salt
For the Chocolate Frosting:
10 tablespoons Butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 tablespoons Milk
3 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 ¾ cup Powdered Sugar
For the Chocolate Pretzel Antlers:
Chocolate Almond Bark or Brown Candy Melts
Mini Pretzels
Red Pearl Sprinkles
Edible Googly Eyes

Instructions

Step 1: In a stand mixer, cream together the butter, cream cheese, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix well.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Step 3: Using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop, drop mounds of cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 1 hour to prevent spreading during baking.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 400℉. Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes until the tops are set but the centers remain slightly undercooked. Let cool completely.
Step 5: To make the frosting, beat butter in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add vanilla and milk, then mix in cocoa powder. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth.
Step 6: Once the cookies are cool, dollop about 1 tablespoon of chocolate frosting onto each cookie using a scoop or spoon.
Step 7: Melt chocolate almond bark or candy melts in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Dip mini pretzels fully in the melted chocolate, shake off excess, and place on parchment paper. Let set until hardened, then cut each pretzel in half.
Step 8: Decorate each frosted cookie with edible googly eyes and a red pearl sprinkle nose. Use two pretzel halves as antlers on each cookie.

Tips & Variations

Chilling the dough before baking helps keep the cookies thick and soft rather than spreading thin.
Use candy melts in festive colors to customize the antlers for different occasions.
If you don’t have pretzels, thinly sliced almonds can be used as antler alternatives.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before serving, and if desired, refresh the frosting by gently re-whipping it.

How to Serve

The image shows several round chocolate balls decorated to look like reindeer. Each ball is smooth and dark brown, with two white candy eyes that have black pupils placed near the top center. A small, bright red candy nose is positioned below the eyes. On top of each chocolate ball, there are two chocolate antlers shaped in a curved pattern. The chocolate balls are placed on a white marbled surface, surrounded by green rosemary sprigs and small red berries scattered around them. The focus is on the closest reindeer, with others slightly blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Ensure your baking powder and other ingredients are also gluten-free.

How do I keep the pretzel antlers from melting or sticking?

Let the dipped pretzels set completely on parchment paper in a cool area before attaching them. This prevents melting and keeps them firm when decorating the cookies.