Reindeer Cookies

The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than with adorable and delicious Reindeer Linzer Cookies? These charming cookies bring a playful twist to the classic Linzer style, complete with red noses, sugar-dusted “faces,” and chocolate-drawn antlers. Perfect for kids and adults alike, these treats are as delightful to make as they are to eat!

Here’s everything you need to craft these festive cookies from scratch, and tips to ensure they look just as magical as they taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Reindeer Cookies:

For the Cookies:

• Butter: Softened butter is the base for the cookie dough, giving it a tender, chewy texture.
• Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and gives a slightly crisp to the cookies.
• Egg: The egg binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for your cookies.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and elevates the flavor.

For the Decorations and Filling:

• Red Currant or Strawberry Jelly: Used as the filling between the cookies and provides the red color for the Nose.
• Powdered Sugar: Used to powder the faces.
• Melted Chocolate: To draw antlers.
• Sugar Eyes: Two for each cookie.

You’ll need the following tools for making the Reindeer Cookies:

• Mixing Bowls: A large bowl for combining the cookie dough ingredients and a smaller one for measuring.
• Measuring Scale: To accurately measure all your ingredients in grams.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: For creaming the butter and sugars, and mixing the dough.
• Spatula: To fold in the dry ingredients and combine the mixtures.
• Baking Sheet: For baking the cookies.
• Parchment Paper: To line the baking sheet, preventing the cookies from sticking.
• Cookie Cutter: To cut out cookie dough.
• Cooling Rack: For allowing the cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Piping Bag: To add the decoration to the cookies.
• Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

Cookie Base:

• 275 g (2 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour
• 125 g (½ cup) softened butter
• 1 medium egg
• ¼ tsp ground vanilla or ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 115 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 pinch of salt

Decorations:

• 75 g (2.6 oz) red currant jelly
• 36 sugar eyes (two for each cookie)
• Powdered sugar
• Melted chocolate

Directions:

Make the Cookie Dough

1. Start by combining all the dough ingredients—flour, butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt—in a mixing bowl. Use your hands or a stand mixer to knead the mixture into a smooth dough. Wrap the dough tightly in cling film and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This resting time helps the dough become firm and easier to roll.

Roll and Cut the Cookies

1. Once chilled, take the dough out and lightly flour your work surface. Roll it to about 3-4 mm thickness (not too thin to avoid breaking). Using a round cookie cutter (around 7 cm diameter), cut out circles from the dough. For half of these circles, cut out a small round hole (about 2 cm) in the center using a smaller cutter, piping tip, or any small, round object. These will form the top halves of your Linzer cookies.

Bake the Cookies

1. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper and place the cookies about 2 cm apart. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake each batch for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set, but the cookies remain pale—they shouldn’t turn brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

Add the Jelly Filling

1. Once the cookies are cool, it’s time to assemble. Take the bottom halves (the full circles) and pipe a dollop of red currant jelly in the center using a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off.
2. Before placing the halves on top of each other, use a fine mesh sieve to dust powdered sugar over the top cookies.
3. Place the top halves (the cookies with holes) over the jelly-covered bottoms. Gently press them together so the jelly peeks out of the hole like a red nose.

Decorate your Reindeer Faces

1. Add Eyes: Use melted chocolate as “glue” to stick the sugar eyes onto the cookie faces, just above the jelly nose. A small piping bag or toothpick works well for precision.
2. Draw the Antlers: With the melted chocolate, pipe small antlers extending from the top edges of the cookies. This part allows you to get creative with your designs—curvy, swirly, or straight lines all work!
3. Let the chocolate set completely before moving the cookies to ensure the decorations stay intact.

Tips & Tricks:

Tips for the Cookies:

• Chill the Dough Thoroughly: This step is crucial for maintaining the shape of your cookies during baking. If the dough becomes too soft, the cookies might spread, losing their crisp, clean edges.
• Use Quality Chocolate: For smooth, precise decorating, opt for high-quality melting chocolate. It flows better and sets beautifully, giving your cookies a professional finish.
• Experiment with Fillings: While red currant jelly creates the classic Rudolph-inspired look, you can try other red-colored jams like raspberry or cherry for a similar effect.
• Make Them Ahead: Linzer cookies actually taste better after a day or two, as the flavors meld together. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Variations to Try

1. Starry Twist: Instead of round cookies, use a star-shaped cutter to create celestial Linzer cookies with a holiday vibe.
2. Nutty Base: Swap out a portion of the flour for finely ground almonds or hazelnuts to add extra flavor to the cookie base.
3. Iced Details: Enhance the reindeer faces with colored royal icing for a more vibrant design.

So gather your family, put on some festive music, and enjoy the joy of creating these adorable reindeer-inspired cookies. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or indulging in a holiday tradition, these cookies are sure to bring smiles all around.

More Christmas Baking Ideas:

• Marbled Chocolate Christmas Cookies – Elegant and easy, these buttery cookies are decorated with swirls of white and dark chocolate for a dazzling holiday treat.
• Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne) – A German Christmas classic, these star-shaped cookies are made with almonds, hazelnuts, and a sweet glaze, delivering a taste of tradition with every bite.
• Melted Snowman Cookies – Creative and delicious, these cookies feature melted marshmallows and charming decorations for a frosty holiday vibe.
• Roasted Matcha Cookies – With their unique roasted matcha flavor and creamy topping, these cookies bring a modern twist to your holiday treats.
• Grinch Crinkle Cookies – These bright green cookies are fun, festive, and finished with a sweet sugar heart, making them the perfect treat to spread Christmas cheer.

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: