Add a magical touch to your holiday celebrations with these Golden Reindeer Christmas Cookies! Shaped like adorable reindeer and adorned with golden accents, these cookies are as delightful to make as they are to eat. Perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or a fun baking session with kids, this recipe is a surefire way to spread holiday cheer.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk
For Decoration:
- 1 cup royal icing (gold food coloring optional)
- Mini pretzels (for antlers)
- Red candy (for the nose)
- Mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
- Edible gold glitter or luster dust (optional)
Preparation
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, mixing until well combined.
Step 4:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 5:
Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Use a reindeer-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 6:
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 7:
Prepare the royal icing and add gold food coloring if desired. Pipe the icing onto the cookies to create reindeer faces. Attach mini pretzels for antlers, red candies for noses, and mini chocolate chips for eyes while the icing is still wet.
Step 8:
Dust the cookies with edible gold glitter or luster dust for a magical, golden finish.
Variations
- Chocolate Flavor: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dough for chocolate-flavored cookies.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix.
- Spiced Cookies: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or ginger for a festive spice twist.
- DIY Shapes: Use a round cookie cutter and decorate as reindeer faces if reindeer-shaped cutters aren’t available.
Cooking Notes
- Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes if it’s too sticky to roll out.
- Use gel food coloring for the icing to achieve vibrant colors.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
Serving Suggestions
- Arrange cookies on a festive platter with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
- Pair with hot cocoa or eggnog for a cozy holiday treat.
- Include these cookies in a holiday gift box or as part of a Christmas dessert buffet.
Tips
- Use Cold Butter: This helps maintain the cookie shapes during baking.
- Perfect Antlers: Break pretzels into smaller pieces for more realistic-looking antlers.
- Uniform Sizes: Roll the dough evenly to ensure all cookies bake at the same rate.
- Decorating Fun: Involve kids in decorating for a fun holiday activity.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie)
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugars: 10g
FAQs
Q: Can I freeze the dough?
A: Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting.
Q: Can I make the cookies ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Bake the cookies a day or two ahead and decorate them closer to your event.
Q: What if I don’t have royal icing?
A: You can use store-bought icing or make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk.
Conclusion
Golden Reindeer Christmas Cookies bring joy and whimsy to any holiday celebration. Their delightful design and buttery, sweet flavor make them a favorite for both kids and adults. Whether you’re baking them as gifts, for a party, or to leave out for Santa, these cookies are guaranteed to shine on your holiday table.
Bake a batch of these magical cookies and make your Christmas extra golden this year!
Print
Golden Reindeer Christmas Cookies Recip
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk
For Decoration:
- 1 cup royal icing (gold food coloring optional)
- Mini pretzels (for antlers)
- Red candy (for the nose)
- Mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
- Edible gold glitter or luster dust (optional)
Instructions
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, mixing until well combined.
Step 4:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 5:
Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Use a reindeer-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 6:
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 7:
Prepare the royal icing and add gold food coloring if desired. Pipe the icing onto the cookies to create reindeer faces. Attach mini pretzels for antlers, red candies for noses, and mini chocolate chips for eyes while the icing is still wet.
Step 8:
Dust the cookies with edible gold glitter or luster dust for a magical, golden finish.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes if it’s too sticky to roll out.
- Use gel food coloring for the icing to achieve vibrant colors.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Protein: 2g