Christmas Reindeer Cookie Cake is a festive dessert made from soft, buttery cookie dough, creamy buttercream frosting, and pretzel “antlers.” Decorated with candy eyes and a bright nose, each slice becomes a whimsical reindeer-themed treat that’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
This hands-on cookie cake is ideal for family baking and holiday decorating. An oversized chocolate chip cookie baked in a round pan becomes the base for eight individual reindeer slices. Kids and adults can join in placing pretzels, M&Ms, and candy eyes to create playful faces on each wedge. The result is a shareable, festive dessert that’s fun to assemble and delightful to serve.
Reindeer Cookie Ingredients
Butter: 1 cup softened butter for richness and a tender, chewy texture.
Sugars: ¾ cup brown sugar and ¾ cup granulated sugar for balanced sweetness and chew.
Eggs: 2 large eggs to bind the dough and add structure.
Vanilla: 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
Dry ingredients: 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon baking soda as the base and leavening.
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt to bring out the flavors.
Chocolate: 2 cups chocolate chips for melty pockets throughout the cookie.
Frosting: 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter, 4 cups powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla for a simple buttercream.
Toppings: 16 mini pretzels, 16 candy eyes, 7 brown M&Ms, 1 red M&M, and optional sprinkles to decorate each slice as a reindeer.
Helpful tips for making your Reindeer Cookie Cake
Even layer: Press the dough evenly into your pan so it bakes flat and doesn’t dome in the center.
Watch doneness: Start checking at 35 minutes. The edges should be golden and the center just set to keep the cookie soft and chewy.
Cool fully: Allow the cookie cake to cool completely before frosting so the buttercream doesn’t melt.
Frosting texture: If your buttercream is too stiff for piping, thin it with a splash of milk or cream until smooth but still pipeable.
Make it a family activity: Let everyone decorate a slice—assign pretzels for antlers and candies for eyes and noses to encourage creativity.
Storage and freezing
Refrigerator: Store covered in the fridge for up to one week, though the cookie is best within a day or two. Frosting and fridge moisture can make pretzels soften over time.
Freezing: Freeze the undecorated cookie cake for 2–3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost and decorate just before serving so toppings stay crisp.
Reindeer Cookie Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Toppings
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 16 mini pretzels
- 16 candy eyes
- 7 brown M&Ms
- 1 red M&M
- Sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter with both sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- On low speed, add flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Press the dough into an even layer in the prepared pan.
- Bake until golden, about 35–40 minutes. The center should be just set. Cool in the pan 15 minutes, then remove the rim and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Make the buttercream by whipping the softened butter until fluffy, then add vanilla and powdered sugar. Beat until light. If too thick to pipe, add a splash of milk.
- Slice the cooled cookie cake into 8 wedges.
- Pipe frosting around the edge of each slice with a large star tip. Insert two pretzels per slice as antlers. Use a bit of frosting to attach candy eyes and a nose to each wedge. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 165 g
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Protein: 9 g
Pan size and frosting alternatives
You can bake this cookie cake in an 8- or 9-inch round pan; adjust the bake time as needed. Store-bought buttercream is an easy alternative—just choose a thicker variety so it will hold pretzels and candy decorations securely.
How many reindeer does Santa have?
Traditionally Santa has eight reindeer, not counting Rudolph. This cake represents eight reindeer; to include Rudolph, add a red-nosed candy to one slice.
More festive cookie ideas
- Mint Christmas Cookies – buttery shortbread dipped in chocolate and decorated for the season.
- Christmas Jello Sugar Cookies – colorful cookies and frosting flavored with red and green Jello for bright, festive treats.
- Holiday Snickerdoodles – soft cookies rolled in a warm spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Santa’s Whiskers Cookies – shortbread with cherries and pecans, rolled in coconut for a snowy finish.
- Grinch Thumbprint Cookies – green chocolate-filled cookies with a red heart sprinkle for a playful twist.
- Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Icing – warmly spiced gingerbread finished with a smooth maple glaze.
This reindeer cookie cake makes a delightful centerpiece for holiday dessert tables. With a chocolate chip cookie base and eight decorated reindeer slices, it’s a fun, shareable treat that brings festive flair to any celebration.