A reindeer cookie cake made with fresh buttercream icing, pretzel antlers, and M&M noses is such a fun holiday dessert!
This chocolate chip Christmas reindeer cookie cake will be the talk of your holiday party. Serve it alongside a classic cheeseball, stuffed mushrooms, and a big bowl of sherbet punch!
Reindeer Cookie Cake
Reindeer Cookie Cake
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Reindeer Christmas Cookie Cake Ingredients
- Butter – Softened, unsalted.
- Sugar – Light brown and white granulated.
- Eggs – Large.
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract.
- Flour – All purpose flour.
- Baking soda – For leavening (make sure you use baking soda and not baking powder).
- Salt – Skip this if you use salted butter.
- Chocolate chips – Milk chocolate or semi-sweet.
- Decorations – Icing, mini pretzels, candy eyes, brown and red M&M’s, sprinkles.
How do you make a reindeer cookie cake? (step-by-step)
⭐ First, in a large bowl beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and stir in vanilla.
⭐ Next, add flour baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips and press down into a prepared spring form pan.
⭐ Then, bake until cookie is turning golden and is just set in the middle. Prepare icing while cookie bakes.
⭐ Finally, when cookie is cooled decorate with icing and toppings.
Preparation
Can you make a reindeer cookie cake ahead of time?
Absolutely; this can be made one or two days in advance. Cover tightly and store at room temperature.
Can I use my own chocolate chip cookie dough recipe for this?
Yes, most soft cookie recipes will work. Feel free to be creative. I love using snickerdoodle dough like we do in our fruit pizza sometimes!
Storage and leftovers
How long will my cookie cake last?
It should be stored in an air tight container and can remain at room temperature for about 2 – 3 days. Longer than that and you’ll want to store your cookies in the refrigerator or freezer.
Can you freeze a cookie cake?
Yes, you can freeze this if you want to get ahead on your holiday baking. Allow the cookie to cool completely, then store in an air tight, freezer safe container before decorating.
The cookie cake can remain in the freezer for several months, after which time you run the risk of freezer burn and they will begin to deteriorate in texture and flavor. To thaw, allow to come to room temperature and then decorate!
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
🦌 Try making this with different types of cookie dough.
🦌 Use white chocolate chips and add nuts for variety.
🦌 Make a giant version by doubling the recipe and baking in a pizza pan.
What to eat with a holiday reindeer cookie cake (serving suggestions)
This is the perfect dessert after a big family holiday dinner of prime rib roast and brown sugar glazed ham. Serve some creamed corn and roasted asparagus on the side, and don’t forget the quick yeast dinner rolls!
More fun Christmas inspired recipes
Other delicious cookie recipes
- Chocolate peppermint cookies
- Pumpkin crinkle cookies
- Chocolate shortbread cookies
- Red velvet cake mix cookies
- Sprinkle cookies recipe
- See all our easy cookie recipes!
Tools we love
- Springform pan – You could use a regular pan, but springform makes it much easier to remove the cake.
- Electric mixer – A hand or stand mixer will work, but electric is definitely the way to go with this recipe.
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How to Make a Reindeer Cookie Cake
Reindeer Cookie Cake
Ingredients
COOKIE
- 1 cup butter unsalted, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ⅔ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
ICING
- 1 stick butter unsalted, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
DECORATIONS
- 16 mini pretzels
- 16 candy eyes
- 1 red m&m
- 7 brown m&ms
- sprinkles
Instructions
COOKIE
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Coat the inside of a 9" spring form pan with cake release.
- In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- Next add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix on low until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and press the dough into your springform pan.
- Bake at 350° F until the cookie is turning golden, and the center is just barely set. About about 35 to 40 minutes.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
ICING
- While cookie is baking, whip the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy.
- Add in your vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until it is incorporated and fluffy again.
- If the buttercream is too thick you can beat in a small amount of milk until a pipeable consistency is reached.
DECORATING
- When the cookie is cooled completely, transfer it to your serving platter and carefully slice into 8 equal wedges.
- Pipe the edges with your frosting using a 1mm star tip and top with sprinkles before it sets.
- Press two mini pretzels into each slices as antlers, and then using frosting as glue place eyes and a nose on each wedge.
Notes
Nutrition
Reindeer Cookie Cake
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Mary Beth says
This is a very tasty dough; however, I was unable to use it as a reindeer because the middle sunk in as it cooled. I couldn’t bake it anymore or it would have been burned. It would be helpful to have the expected thickness listed in the recipe. There are no pictures on your page that indicate how think it is supposed to be. If I do this again, I will use a pizza stone and spread it thinner. I love the whole reindeer idea.
April Woods says
I’m so sorry you had baking issues. Have you tested your oven temp recently? This sounds like perhaps the temp was running a bit too high. I would try lowering and cooking a little longer next time. Every appliance is a little different.
Betsy says
This is absolutely adorable! Love the reindeer theme! So easy! And love how tasty this is! Definitely a keeper. Maybe even a new tradition! 😀
wilhelmina says
This was so much to make and eat. The kids all loved it!
Natasha says
This cookie cake is so festive and delicious. I also love that it can be made ahead of time and frozen. I made a couple of these cookies and gave them away to my family and friends, and they loved it!