Reindeer Cookie Bars
Get ready for a fun and festive treat this holiday season with these adorable Reindeer Cookie Bars! They’re the perfect way to add a playful twist to classic chocolate chip cookie bars, complete with mini pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and colorful M&M noses. These cookie bars come together in no time, making them an easy and crowd-pleasing addition to any holiday gathering, cookie exchange, or family movie night.
Reindeer Cookie Bars
These reindeer cookie bars start with a simple base of store-bought chocolate chip cookie dough, which makes this recipe both beginner-friendly and fast. Once baked, each cookie bar slice is decorated to look like a cute reindeer face—kids and adults alike will have fun assembling these adorable treats! With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a batch of cookie bars that look festive and taste incredible.
Not only are these Reindeer Cookie Bars irresistibly delicious, but they’re also super versatile. You can customize the decorations with different colors or flavors of M&Ms, or even swap the chocolate frosting for vanilla if you prefer. These easy-to-make holiday treats are perfect for getting the whole family involved in the kitchen, spreading holiday cheer with each bite!
What You Will Love About This Recipe
You’ll love this Reindeer Cookie Bars recipe because it’s as adorable as it is easy to make! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these festive treats come together quickly and make a big impact. The combination of soft chocolate chip cookie base and rich chocolate frosting creates an irresistible flavor, while the fun reindeer decorations add a playful holiday touch.
One of the best parts of this recipe is its simplicity. Using pre-made cookie dough means you can skip extra mixing and measuring, so it’s ideal for busy holiday schedules. Plus, it’s a great project to do with kids—they’ll have a blast adding the pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and M&M noses to bring each reindeer to life.
These Reindeer Cookie Bars are also perfect for any holiday gathering. Whether you’re hosting a family Christmas party, putting together a festive dessert platter, or just looking for a sweet activity to do with your loved ones, these cookie bars are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults!
Ingredients
- 1 (16.5 ounce) package of chocolate chip cookie dough
- 8 ounces chocolate frosting (½ a 16 ounce tub)
- 8 mini pretzel twists, cut in half vertically
- 16 candy eyes
- 8 red or brown M&Ms
How to Make Reindeer Cookie Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line the bottom of a round 9” cake pan with parchment paper. Break the cookie dough up into chunks and press it into an even layer in the cake pan.
- Bake the cookie for 20-25 minutes or until the top is starting to turn golden. Once the cookie is removed from the oven, run an offset spatula or butter knife (do not use a serrated knife) around the edge of the cake pan to stop the cookie from sticking as it sets. Allow the cookie to cool for 15 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Spread the frosting over the top of the cookie using an offset spatula or butter knife. While the frosting is still wet, cut the cooking to 8 slices like you would a pizza cleaning the knife after each cut.
- Add two pretzel halves to the top (larger end) of each slice to create the reindeer antlers. Add a red or brown M&M at the bottom (narrow end) of each slice to create the nose. Finally, add two eyes about ⅓ of the way down the slice. Allow the frosting to set before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Line the Pan with Parchment Paper: For easy removal, line the bottom of your cake pan with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and helps you transfer the cookie to a cooling rack without breaking.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Let the cookie cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Frosting while it’s still warm can make the frosting melt, so be patient to get that smooth chocolate layer!
- Cut the Pretzels Carefully: Cutting the mini pretzel twists can be tricky! Use a sharp knife and press down slowly to avoid breaking them. This will give you cleaner “antlers” for each reindeer.
- Use a Clean Knife for Cutting: When slicing the cookie into “pizza” slices, wipe your knife with a damp cloth after each cut. This keeps the cuts clean, and the frosting won’t smudge onto the other slices.
- Customize Your Reindeer: Swap out the chocolate frosting for vanilla, or use different colors for the M&M noses—red for Rudolph and brown or green for the rest of the reindeer! You can also add a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
FAQs
Reindeer Cookie Bars
Reindeer cookie bars are the perfect holiday treat! They are super cute, easy to make, and a huge hit among kids and adults. They look great on any dessert table and help get in the mood of the season! With a handful of ingredients and about 30 minutes you can have these fun treats that are ready to enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 (16.5 ounce) package of chocolate chip cookie dough
- 8 ounces chocolate frosting (½ a 16 ounce tub)
- 8 mini pretzel twists, cut in half vertically
- 16 candy eyes
- 8 red or brown M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line the bottom of a round 9” cake pan with parchment paper. Break the cookie dough up into chunks and press it into an even layer in the cake pan.
- Bake the cookie for 20-25 minutes or until the top is starting to turn golden. Once the cookie is removed from the oven, run an offset spatula or butter knife (do not use a serrated knife) around the edge of the cake pan to stop the cookie from sticking as it sets. Allow the cookie to cool for 15 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Spread the frosting over the top of the cookie using an offset spatula or butter knife. While the frosting is still wet, cut the cooking to 8 slices like you would a pizza cleaning the knife after each cut.
- Add two pretzel halves to the top (larger end) of each slice to create the reindeer antlers. Add a red or brown M&M at the bottom (narrow end) of each slice to create the nose. Finally, add two eyes about ⅓ of the way down the slice. Allow the frosting to set before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 317Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 425mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 1gSugar: 30gProtein: 4g
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!
