Nutter Butter Reindeer

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These adorable Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies are an easy no-bake Christmas treat! Dipped in chocolate with pretzel antlers and a cute candy face, these little Rudolphs are perfect for holiday parties, classroom treats, or a fun activity with the kids.
Three finished Nutter Butter Reindeer cookie pops on a white plate with pretzel antlers and red candy noses, surrounded by Santa and snowman cookie pops.
Three finished Nutter Butter Reindeer cookie pops on a white plate with pretzel antlers and red candy noses, surrounded by Santa and snowman cookie pops.

Rudolph fans, this one’s for you! These Nutter Butter Reindeer are an easy no-bake treat that’s almost too cute to eat. The peanut shape of a Nutter Butter makes the perfect reindeer face, and with some melted chocolate, pretzel antlers, and a bright red candy nose, you’ve got an adorable Christmas cookie pop that kids go crazy for.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

  • Only 5 ingredients. Cookies, chocolate, pretzels, candy eyes, and a red candy nose… that’s it!
  • No baking required. Just melt, dip, and decorate.
  • Kids love them. Something about that Rudolph nose gets them every time.
  • Great for groups. Make a big batch for classroom parties, cookie exchanges, or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Nutter Butter Reindeer cookies including Nutter Butters, chocolate candy melts, pretzels, red candies, candy eyeballs, and candy sticks.

PRO TIP

Break your pretzels before you start dipping. Not every piece will break perfectly, so give yourself extras to work with. You want pieces that look like little antlers!

Ingredient Notes

  • Nutter Butter cookies: The peanut shape is perfect for a reindeer face. The smaller end becomes the nose area and the larger end holds the antlers.
  • Dark chocolate candy melts: I use Wilton brand, but any chocolate candy melts will work. You want dark brown to look like reindeer fur! You can also use milk chocolate chips with a teaspoon of coconut oil if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Pretzel twists: You’ll break these into pieces to create the antlers. Don’t stress about getting them perfect. Wonky antlers look more realistic anyway!
  • Candy eyeballs: Look for small candy eyeballs in the baking aisle. Wilton makes great ones in various sizes.
  • Red candy nose: I used Cherry Sours, but red M&M’s or any small round red candy works perfectly for that Rudolph nose.

How to Make Nutter Butter Reindeer

For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe, and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.

Dark chocolate candy melts in a glass bowl ready to be melted for Nutter Butter Reindeer cookies.
Melt the chocolate. Melt your chocolate candy melts in the microwave using 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds. Slow and steady is key. Overheating will make the chocolate seize or turn clumpy.
Pretzel twists being broken into pieces on a cutting board for reindeer antlers with Nutter Butter cookies nearby.
Prep the antlers. Break your mini pretzels into curved pieces for the antlers. Don’t stress about them being identical — the slightly mismatched pieces make your reindeer extra cute and full of personality.
Nutter Butter cookies with candy sticks inserted next to a bowl of melted chocolate.
Open the cookies and insert sticks. Gently twist open each Nutter Butter, place a candy stick into the filling, and add a little melted chocolate to help “glue” it together. Press the cookie back on and let it set for a minute.
A Nutter Butter cookie pop being dipped into melted chocolate with finished reindeer cookies nearby.
Dip in chocolate. Dip each cookie pop into the melted chocolate, coating it completely. Tap gently on the side of the bowl to shake off the extra and create a smooth finish.
Nutter Butter Reindeer cookies in progress showing pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and red nose being added.
While the chocolate is still wet, add the pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and the red candy nose. Work quickly! The chocolate starts to firm up fast, and everything sticks best while it’s still soft and glossy.
Two Nutter Butter Reindeer cookie pops stacked on a white plate with pretzel antlers and red candy noses.
Place your decorated reindeer pops onto parchment and let them firm up for about 10 minutes. Once set, they’re ready to package, gift, or place on a holiday cookie tray!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these without the sticks?

Absolutely! Skip the stick step and lay the decorated cookies flat on parchment paper. They’re just as cute without the sticks.

Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of candy melts?

Yes! Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to help them melt smoothly and set with a nice shine.

My pretzel antlers keep falling off. What am I doing wrong?

Make sure you’re pressing them into the chocolate while it’s still wet. If the chocolate has already started to set, the antlers won’t stick. You can also dab a little extra melted chocolate on the pretzel ends before pressing them in.

Expert Tips

  • Work in small batches. Dark chocolate sets fast, so dip just 2-3 cookies at a time before decorating.
  • Use a toothpick for the eyes. If they’re not landing where you want them, a toothpick helps you nudge them into place before the chocolate sets.

Storage instructions

Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Freeze: These can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers.

Do not refrigerate: The humidity in the refrigerator can cause the chocolate coating to become sticky or develop condensation.

Three Nutter Butter Reindeer cookie pops on a plate with Santa and snowman cookies in the background and festive greenery.
Three finished Nutter Butter Reindeer cookie pops on a white plate with pretzel antlers and red candy noses, surrounded by Santa and snowman cookie pops.

Nutter Butter Reindeer

These adorable Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies are an easy no-bake Christmas treat! Dipped in chocolate with pretzel antlers and a cute candy face, these little Rudolphs are perfect for holiday parties, classroom treats, or a fun activity with the kids.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 cookies
Calories: 141kcal
Author: admin

Equipment

  • 12 candy sticks or lollipop sticks

Ingredients

  • 12 Nutter Butter cookies
  • 1 cup (6oz, 175g) dark chocolate candy melts
  • 24 candy eyeballs
  • 12 small round red candies, Cherry Sours or red M&M’s
  • 12 pretzel twists, broken into pieces for antlers

Instructions

  • Break pretzel twists into pieces to create antlers. Set aside, keeping the best-looking pieces for decorating.
  • Gently twist each Nutter Butter cookie to separate the halves. Dip one end of a candy stick (about 1-1.5 inches) into melted chocolate and press it into the peanut butter filling. Place the other half on top and press together. Let stand 10 minutes to set.
  • Melt dark chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir, then continue heating in 30-second intervals until smooth.
  • Using the stick as a handle, dip the entire cookie into the chocolate, coating all sides. Tap off any excess and place on parchment paper.
  • While the chocolate is still wet, press two pretzel pieces into the top of the cookie for antlers. Add two candy eyeballs below the antlers and a red candy at the bottom for the nose. Let stand 10 minutes to fully set.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Three Nutter Butter Reindeer cookie pops on a plate with Santa and snowman cookies on either side.

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