These reindeer cookies are chocolate cookies decorated like reindeer! They are double chocolate chip cookies topped with chocolate cream cheese frosting. Making these fun reindeer cookies is the perfect activity for keeping little hands busy!

Top view of a reindeer cookie.

These cute reindeer cookies are a fun way to celebrate Christmas time and get a delicious cookie at the same time! They are so much fun to make and make your whole family happy. They are also the cutest cookie for a cookie swap this holiday season.

Stack of cookies with one cookie split in half.

Tips for making the cookies

Here are my tips, so yours turns out like this recipe! See my chocolate cream cheese frosting for more frosting tips.

  • Tip 1: Make sure the flour and cocoa powder is spooned and leveled. If you stick the measuring cup straight into the flour, it can compact it. This results in a cookie that doesn’t spread.
  • Tip 2: Use a large biscuit cutter to scoot the cookies to perfect circles. This will also make the whole decoration look cuter.
  • Tip 3: When making the frosting, the butter and cream cheese needs to be the same temperatures. If the cream cheese is colder than the butter, it can cause the frosting to split.
Chocolate cookie dough in a bowl.
This will make a thick cookie dough.
Cookie dough ball on a cookie sheet.
Scoop the dough once the cookie dough rests for 10 minutes. This allows the gluten to start absorbing.
Baked chocolate cookies on a wire rack.
The cookies are perfect baked at 14 minutes.
Chocolate frosting in a bowl.
I use a small cookie scoop to scoop the frosting on top of the cookie. That way it is the same for each cookie.
Top view of cookies.

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For more chocolate holiday recipes, try my reindeer cupcakes and chocolate thumbprint cookies.

Bite missing from reindeer cookies.

Make sure to leave a star review if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

Recipe Video

Top view of a reindeer cookie.
5 from 2 reviews

Reindeer Cookies

Stephanie Rutherford
These reindeer cookies are chocolate cookies decorated like reindeer! They are double chocolate chip cookies topped with chocolate cream cheese frosting.
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Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Total Time: 58 minutes
Servings: 15 Large cookies

Ingredients
 
 

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp Baking soda
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup Brown sugar, packed light or dark
  • 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 1 Large egg, room temperature
  • 1 Egg yolk, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 oz Cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 3/4 cups Powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/3 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • Red M&M's, for the nose
  • Candy eyes
  • 15 regular sized pretzels, for the antlers. Cut in half.

Instructions
 

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
    2 cups All-purpose flour, 1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp Baking soda, 1 tsp Salt
  • Using a mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and sugar on high speed for 2 minutes.
    1 cup Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup White granulated sugar, 1 cup Brown sugar
  • Add in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk. Beat on medium speed until combined. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula.
    1 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 1 Large egg, 1 Egg yolk
  • Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Add in the chocolate chips. This will be a thick dough.
    1 1/2 cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Let the cookie dough sit for 10 minutes before scooping.
  • Using a large cookie scoop (2 oz or 2 Tablespoons) to scoop the cookie dough. Place 6 cookie dough balls per cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 13-15 minutes. Let the cookies sit on the hot pan before transferring to a cooling rack. Cool the cookies completely before decorating.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

  • In a medium bowl, sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder together. Set aside.
    2 3/4 cups Powdered sugar, 1/3 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Using a mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese on high speed for 2 minutes.
    1 cup Unsalted butter, 4 oz Cream cheese
  • Add in half of the powdered sugar and mix on low speed until just combined. Repeat with the rest of the powdered sugar. Scrape the bowl.
  • Add in the vanilla and salt and mix on high speed until creamy.
    1 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp Salt
  • Use a cookie scoop, to scoop the frosting on to each cookie. Use an offset icing spatula to smooth the icing on the cookie.
  • Top with two candy eyes, 1 red M&M, and 1 pretzel cut in half for the antler.
    Red M&M's, 15 regular sized pretzels, Candy eyes

Notes

Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the cookies and cause them not to spread
Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking.
Calories: 506kcal, Carbohydrates: 69g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 22g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 87mg, Sodium: 302mg, Potassium: 232mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 884IU, Calcium: 48mg, Iron: 3mg
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