Looking for an adorable and delicious way to spread holiday cheer? These Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies are just what you need! Made with rich chocolate cake mix and topped with festive candy decorations, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. Whether you’re baking with kids, gifting treats to loved ones, or adding a whimsical touch to your holiday dessert table, these cookies are sure to steal the show.

Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies

The best part? They’re incredibly simple to make! Starting with a boxed cake mix means you can whip up a batch in no time, and the decorating process lets your creativity shine. With pretzel antlers, candy eyeballs, and M&M noses, each cookie transforms into an adorable reindeer that’s almost too cute to eat. Almost.

Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or a cozy night of baking, these Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies bring a touch of magic to the season. Plus, they’re a great way to get the whole family involved in the kitchen. So grab your mixing bowl and let’s make some festive cookie magic happen!

What You Will Love About This Recipe

Festive and Fun: These cookies aren’t just a treat; they’re a holiday craft! The adorable reindeer design will bring smiles to everyone who sees (and eats) them.

Quick and Easy: Starting with a cake mix means less prep and fewer ingredients, making this recipe perfect for busy holiday schedules.

Kid-Friendly: This recipe is a hit with kids! From mixing the dough to decorating the reindeer faces, it’s a fun activity for little helpers.

Customizable: Swap out the candy or try different types of chocolate to make the recipe your own. You can even experiment with other cake mix flavors!

Perfect for Gifting: These cookies make delightful homemade gifts. Package them in festive tins or wrap them in cellophane for a thoughtful holiday surprise.

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Flavor: The combination of chocolate cake mix, semisweet chocolate chips, and milk chocolate topping ensures these cookies are as delicious as they are cute.

INGREDIENTS

15 ounce box chocolate cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Fudge)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
10 ounce package of milk chocolate melting wafers
24 pieces mixed red and brown M&M’s
48 pieces of candy eyeballs
48 pieces of mini pretzels
24 Nilla Wafer Cookies

How to Make Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350℉ and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and set aside for later.
In a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater attachment, add the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and eggs and beat on low until mixed. Then fold in the semisweet chocolate chips at half speed. You can alternatively mix everything with a rubber spatula if you do not have a mixer.

Use a small cookie scoop or a spoon to drop 1 ½ tablespoon sized balls onto the baking sheets. Space them a few inches apart to leave room for the cookies to spread.

Bake at 350℉ for 10-12 minutes, until the tops are set and it reaches desired doneness.

Allow the cookies to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Melt the chocolate melting wafers in the microwave and then add about half a tablespoon of melted chocolate and carefully cover the tops of each cookie. Work in batches so that the chocolate does not dry before decorating.

Add the pretzels, nilla wafers, and eyeballs to create a reindeer. Then dab a little chocolate on top of the nilla wafer to place a red or brown M&M on for the nose. Let the chocolate set for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Tricks

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the eggs are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother dough and more evenly baked cookies.
Don’t Overbake: These cookies bake quickly, so keep an eye on them. Remove them from the oven when the tops are just set to ensure soft, chewy centers.
Work Quickly with Chocolate: When decorating, melt the chocolate wafers in small batches and work fast to assemble the reindeer before the chocolate hardens.
Use a Cookie Scoop: A small cookie scoop ensures uniform cookie sizes, which not only looks better but also helps them bake evenly.
Prep Decorations in Advance: Have your pretzels, candy eyeballs, M&M noses, and Nilla wafers ready to go so you can assemble the reindeer as soon as the chocolate is applied.
Avoid Burned Chocolate: When melting the wafers, use 15-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each, to prevent scorching.
Store Properly: Once the cookies are completely set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to keep the decorations intact.
Make It a Party: Turn this into a decorating party! Bake the cookies ahead of time and let friends or family join in the fun of assembling their own reindeer creations.

FAQs

Absolutely! While chocolate cake mix adds a rich flavor, you can experiment with vanilla, red velvet, or even spice cake mix for a festive twist.

You can make your own! Use small dots of white frosting or melted white chocolate for the whites of the eyes, and a tiny dot of dark chocolate for the pupils.

Yes! The cookies can be baked and decorated up to 2-3 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh.

Chill the dough for about 15-20 minutes before baking if you’re concerned about spreading. This helps the cookies hold their shape.

Of course! If you have a favorite homemade chocolate cookie dough recipe, feel free to use that as a base for the reindeer cookies.

Store fully decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. If stacking, use parchment paper between layers to protect the decorations.

Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies

Name: Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 15 ounce box chocolate cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Fudge); 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 eggs, room temperature; 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips; 10 ounce package Ghirardelli milk chocolate melting wafers; 24 pieces mixed red and brown M&M’s; 48 pieces candy eyeballs; 48 pieces mini pretzels; 24 Vanilla Wafer Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Reindeer cake mix cookies are a festive treat that the whole family will love as it transforms an ordinary box of cake mix into a unique reindeer cookie. You will love the rich chocolate flavor with pieces of chocolate chips in every single bite of the cookie that is then topped with even more chocolate and salty pretzels. These chocolate cake mix cookies are soft and chewy and have a rich chocolate taste that you and your family will love.

Ingredients

15 ounce box chocolate cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Fudge)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
10 ounce package Ghirardelli milk chocolate melting wafers
24 pieces mixed red and brown M&M’s
48 pieces candy eyeballs
48 pieces mini pretzels
24 Vanilla Wafer Cookies

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350℉ and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and set aside for later.
In a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater attachment, add the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and eggs and beat on low until mixed. Then fold in the semisweet chocolate chips at half speed. You can alternatively mix everything with a rubber spatula if you do not have a mixer.
Use a small cookie scoop or a spoon to drop 1 ½ tablespoon sized balls onto the baking sheets. Space them a few inches apart to leave room for the cookies to spread.
Bake at 350℉ for 10-12 minutes, until the tops are set and it reaches desired doneness.
Allow the cookies to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Melt the chocolate melting wafers in the microwave and then add about half a tablespoon of melted chocolate and carefully cover the tops of each cookie. Work in batches so that the chocolate does not dry before decorating.
Add the pretzels, nilla wafers, and eyeballs to create a reindeer. Then dab a little chocolate on top of the nilla wafer to place a red or brown M&M on for the nose. Let the chocolate set for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 475Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 874mgCarbohydrates: 84gFiber: 4gSugar: 25gProtein: 8g

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies