Christmas Magic in Every Bite: Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookie Cups
If Santa’s reindeer ever got tired of flying, I’m convinced they’d happily retire to a cookie plate like this. These Reindeer Cookie Cups are basically peanut butter cookies in disguise—stuffed with a Reese’s cup and dressed up like Rudolph, red nose and all. It’s the kind of treat that makes your holiday dessert table instantly more cheerful (and slightly more adorable). Plus, they’re so easy to make that even the elves would approve. Warning: once you set these out, don’t expect them to last longer than Rudolph’s flight time around the world!
Why You Need to Make These Reindeer Cookie Cups:
- Quick & Easy: They start with premade peanut butter cookie dough, so no mixing bowls or measuring cups required.
- Adorable Factor: Shaped and decorated to look like Rudolph, they’ll instantly steal the spotlight on any holiday dessert table.
- Kid-Friendly: Decorating is simple and fun, making it a perfect activity for little helpers.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Peanut butter + chocolate = a flavor combo that never disappoints.
- Festive & Fun: They double as both a treat and a decoration, spreading holiday cheer with every bite.
These cookies are perfect for:
- Christmas Eve dessert table – a sweet surprise for Santa (and his reindeer).
- Holiday cookie exchange – guaranteed to be the cutest cookies in the swap.
- Classroom or office parties – festive, fun, and easy to share.
- Family movie night – the perfect snack while watching Christmas classics.
- Gift boxes or tins – a whimsical homemade treat for friends and neighbors.
- Holiday bake sales – eye-catching and sure to sell fast.
- Christmas morning breakfast treat – because cookies totally count as breakfast on December 25th.
Reindeer Cookie Cups
Makes 24 cookies
Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 package peanut butter cookie dough
- 24 mini peanut butter cups
- 24 mini pretzels
- 24 red M&Ms
- 48 candy eyes
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and liberally grease a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Place each piece of cookie dough in one of the muffin cups and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.
Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press one mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie.
Allow the cookies to rest for 5 to 10 minutes, until the peanut butter cups have softened slightly.
Decorate with two candy eyes and one red M&M nose.
Break the mini pretzels in half and carefully place them at the top of each of the cookies to make antlers.
Allow the cookies to cool completely, making sure the peanut butter cups have fully hardened. Then, carefully remove the cookies from the pan before serving.
FAQ
Q1: Can I use homemade peanut butter cookie dough instead of premade? Absolutely! Homemade dough works just as well—just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold its cup shape.
Q2: How do I keep the Reese’s cups from melting too much? You want to press the cups into the cookies while they’re warm, otherwise they’ll be too hard. Because the peanut butter cups are pressed into the middle of the cookies, they should hold their shape and not melt too much.
Q3: Can these be made ahead of time? Yes! You can bake and decorate them up to 2 days in advance. Just store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Q4: What if I need a nut-free version? Swap in sugar cookie dough and use a chocolate candy in place of the peanut butter cup—still cute, still delicious!
Tips & Tricks for the Best Reindeer Cookie Cups
- Grease your muffin tin lightly so the cookie cups pop out easily without breaking.
- Use a mini muffin pan for the perfect bite-sized reindeer shape.
- Cool before decorating — decorations stick best when the cookies aren’t too warm.
- Get creative with candy — pretzels for antlers, candy eyes, and a red candy nose make them extra festive.
- Work in batches if needed; pressing the Reese’s cups in while the cookies are still warm gives you the best results.
- Store smartly — keep them in a single layer or separate with parchment paper so the decorations don’t smudge.
Whipping up these Reindeer Cookie Cups is like inviting a herd of sweet little Rudolphs straight into your kitchen. They’re festive, fun, and guaranteed to bring smiles to kids, adults, and even the grumpiest Grinch at the party. Whether you’re setting them out for Santa, sharing them at a cookie swap, or just sneaking one with a mug of cocoa, these treats are sure to become a holiday favorite. So grab that premade dough, a bag of candy, and let the cookie magic fly—your reindeer runway is ready!
