Gingerbread reindeer cookies are made from premade or store bought gingerbread men cookies turned upside down and decorated with pretzels, candy eyes, and strawberry candies for the bright red nose. They’re easy to decorate, fun for kids to help with, and will go great on any holiday cookie tray.
You can use store-bought gingerbread men and turn this into a decorating-only activity, or bake a fresh batch from your favorite recipe and make a full afternoon of it.
Why You’ll Love These Reindeer Gingerbread Cookies
- Works with store-bought or homemade gingerbread men cookies.
- Easy to decorate with just a few simple decorating supplies and candy.
- The kids will love helping you bake and decorate.
- Great for holiday parties, classroom parties, or when you want an impressive treat to serve for Christmas.
Baking + Learning = Fun!
Kids can help mix and roll the dough if you’re making homemade Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies, or jump straight into decorating if you’re using premade cookies.
Along the way, they’re practicing measuring, counting, and following simple steps. Pressing the pieces into place builds hand strength and coordination. Even small decisions, like where the nose should go, give them space to think and create.
Ingredients Needed
- Baked gingerbread man cookies; store-bought or homemade and cooled
- Royal icing; holds the decorations in place
- Chocolate-covered pretzels; used for antlers
- Candy eyes; help make the face of the reindeer
- Red strawberry candies; creates the bright red nose
How to Make Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies
Step 1: Place the gingerbread man cookies upside down on a flat surface so the legs are at the top.
Step 2: Add a small amount of the icing to the top “legs” of each cookie.
Step 3: Press two chocolate-covered pretzels into the icing to form the antlers.
Step 4: Attach two candy eyes in the center of the cookie above where the arms meet.
Step 5: Press a red strawberry candy onto the bottom point to create the nose.
Step 6: Let the icing set completely on the gingerbread reindeer cookies before serving or packaging.
Substitutions & Variations
- Use gumdrops, jelly beans, or red M&M’s for the nose.
- Tilt the candy eyes for different expressions.
- Let kids add extra icing details if they’d like.
How To Store
Let the icing fully set before stacking or packaging the cookies. Once dry, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep for 3–4 days. If stacking, place a sheet of parchment paper between layers to protect the decorations.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought gingerbread cookies?
Yes. Store-bought cookies work well and make this a decorating-only activity.
Is it better to bake homemade gingerbread?
Homemade adds to the experience, but either option works.
How do I keep the pretzels from sliding?
Use slightly thicker icing so they stay in place.
Are these good for holiday parties?
Yes. Once the icing is set, these gingerbread reindeer cookies travel well and look festive on a tray.
Easy Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies
Ingredients
- 12 baked or store bought gingerbread man cookies
- icing (store-bought or homemade)
- 24 small chocolate-covered pretzels
- 24 candy eyes
- 12 red strawberry candies or any red candy for the nose
Instructions
- Arrange the gingerbread man cookies upside down on a flat surface with the legs facing upward.
- Pipe or spoon royal icing onto the top section where the legs meet.
- Press two chocolate-covered pretzels into the icing to form the antlers.
- Add small dots of icing in the center of the cookie and attach the candy eyes.
- Place a red strawberry candy at the bottom point to create the nose.
- Allow the icing to set completely before serving.
Notes
- Store-bought or homemade gingerbread cookies both work well.
- Slightly thicker icing helps decorations stay in place.
- Let icing fully set before stacking or transporting.
- A great option for holiday parties or cookie exchanges.
