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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 you 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. This is one of my favorite Christmas dessert recipes and I think it will soon be one of yours! It definitely ranks up there as one of the easiest Christmas desserts.

Reindeer Cookie Bars

When it comes to the holidays, I love making easy desserts! That is why I am in love with these easy reindeer cookie bars! These are just the cutest cookie bars and will make such a great addition to your holidays.

They are super festive, easy to make, you can make multiple batches, and they are perfect on the dessert table! Pair these with our chocolate Christmas tree, our Christmas Tree Cupcakes, and our Christmas Tree brownies for the perfect festive dessert spread or classroom party. 

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 and FAQs

• The cookie should be a nice golden brown on top. 
• You will want to watch your cookie closely while baking. You don’t want to underbake your cookie because as you add the ingredients to the top and cut it it will snap in half because of how thick and heavy it is. An overbaked cookie never tastes great as it is hard and crunchy. 
• Be sure to not skip the step of running the offset spatula or butter knife around the cookie immediately after it comes out of the oven. This will separate the cookie from the side of the cake pan and help it to easily release when turned out onto the wire rack.
• Use as much or as little frosting as you prefer. This is a pretty sweet cookie so you may not want to add a ton of frosting to the top. 
• Be sure to add the reindeer features right after frosting the cookie. This helps them to stick to your cookie bar. 
• The easiest way to cut the pretzels in half is with a serrated knife. Gently saw through the pretzel until it is cut in half. If you apply too much pressure it will likely snap unevenly.
• You can use your own favorite cookie dough if you prefer. 

• My Reindeer Oreos
• Reindeer Krispie Treats
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
• Chocolate Cake Mix Cheesecake Bars 
• 7 Layer Peppermint Bars

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