These adorable Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookie are a fun and festive treat perfect for the holiday season! Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies decorated to look like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will surely bring a smile to anyone who sees (and tastes) them. With a red M&M for Rudolph’s nose, pretzels for antlers, and mini chocolate chips for eyes, they make the perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray, or a cute and edible gift for friends and family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookies combine the warm, comforting flavor of peanut butter with the playful spirit of the holidays. The best part? They’re easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! The chewy texture of the cookies pairs wonderfully with the crunchy pretzels, while the sweet red M&Ms and chocolate chips add a delightful burst of flavor and make each cookie look like a cute little reindeer. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, gifting them to loved ones, or just treating yourself, these cookies will bring cheer to everyone who tries them.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Decorations:
24 mini pretzels (for antlers)
24 red M&Ms (for Rudolph’s nose)
48 mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Press each ball down slightly with a fork to flatten.
Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate: Once the cookies are cooled, decorate each cookie with pretzels for antlers, a red M&M for Rudolph’s nose, and two mini chocolate chips for eyes. Gently press the decorations into the cookies so they stick.
Serve: Let the cookies set for a few minutes before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Variations
Peanut Butter Alternatives: If you have allergies or prefer a different nut butter, feel free to swap the peanut butter for almond or cashew butter for a similar texture and flavor.
Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Chocolate Drizzle: For extra sweetness, you could drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies after decorating them for a rich, decadent touch.
Mini Pretzels: If mini pretzels aren’t available, you can use regular-sized pretzels and break them into smaller pieces to fit on the cookies.
Storage/Reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you’d like to keep them for longer, they can be frozen. Simply place the cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you prefer warm cookies, microwave them for 10-15 seconds before serving.
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FAQs
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, these cookies are perfect for making ahead of time. You can bake them and store them in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to decorate them after they’ve cooled, and store any extras separately to maintain their shape.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add more texture to the cookies, making them a bit crunchier. The choice is yours depending on your texture preference.
What can I use instead of M&Ms for the nose?
If you can’t find red M&Ms, you can use red Skittles or any other red candy that is small enough to resemble Rudolph’s nose.
Can I make these cookies without the decorations?
While the decorations make these cookies look like little reindeer, you can certainly skip them for a simpler version. The peanut butter cookies on their own are delicious!
How can I make these cookies even more festive?
You can sprinkle the cookies with holiday-themed sprinkles before baking or use colored sugars for extra flair. These cookies are very versatile, so feel free to get creative with your decorations!
Conclusion
These Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookie are a delightful and festive treat that everyone will love. With their soft, chewy texture and playful reindeer decorations, they’re perfect for holiday parties, gifting, or just adding some holiday cheer to your kitchen. Easy to make and so much fun to decorate, they’re sure to become a seasonal favorite. Happy baking!
📖 Recipe:
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Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookie
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These adorable Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookies are the perfect festive treat for the holiday season! With a soft and chewy peanut butter base, they’re decorated to look like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer using pretzels for antlers, red M&Ms for a nose, and mini chocolate chips for eyes. These easy-to-make cookies are a fun addition to any holiday party, cookie tray, or as an edible gift. Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with this delightful recipe!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Decorations:
24 mini pretzels (for antlers)
24 red M&Ms (for Rudolph’s nose)
48 mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Press each ball down slightly with a fork to flatten.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once the cookies are cooled, decorate each with pretzels for antlers, a red M&M for Rudolph’s nose, and two mini chocolate chips for eyes. Gently press the decorations into the cookies so they stick.
- Serve: Let the cookies set for a few minutes before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Peanut Butter Alternatives: Swap peanut butter for almond or cashew butter for a different flavor and texture.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cookies, Holiday Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 200 kcal per cookie
