These are the easiest and cutest holiday treats! I use store-bought chocolate glazed donuts and turn them into the most adorable Chocolate Reindeer Donuts.
Two mini pretzels for antlers, a pair of candy eyes, and a shiny red chocolate candy nose and done!
I pile them on a wooden board and it looks like I planned a whole party theme (even when I didn’t).

Yield: 8–12 donuts
Prep Time: 5–10 minutes
Total Time: 5–10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy (kid-helper friendly)
Ingredients
- chocolate glazed donuts
- mini pretzels
- candy eyes
- red chocolate candies
- A dab of frosting (store-bought) to stick decor

Helpful Extras
- wooden board or paddle for serving
- mini offset spatula or butter knife for tiny dabs of frosting
- parchment paper to keep your board clean while decorating

Step-by-Step Instructions
1) Stage the donuts.
Set donuts on your wooden board (or line a tray with parchment first).
2) Add antlers.
Use tiny dabs of frosting to attach two mini pretzels at the top edge of each donut.
3) Eyes & nose.
Dot a little frosting and press on candy eyes. Add one red chocolate candy under the hole as the nose.
4) Serve.
Arrange the herd close together on the board and carry straight to the table!

Pro Tips
- Stick factor: Slightly soften frosting so it spreads easily but still holds the candy eyes.
- Tidy tops: If the donut glaze is slick, blot the spot with a napkin before adding frosting.
- Travel trick: Decorate on parchment, then lift and transfer to your board so you don’t smudge faces.
- Mix & match: Alternate mini pretzels styles (twists or snaps) for personality.
Variations
- Peppermint noses: Swap to mini peppermint candies.
- White-out: Use powdered donuts for a “snowy” herd; stick decor with frosting.
- Chocolate chip eyes: If you’re out of eyes, use chocolate chips point-side down.

Make-Ahead & Storage
- Make-ahead: Best same day. You can pre-sort decorations into bowls and decorate up to 2–3 hours before serving.
- Storage: Keep on the counter, loosely covered. Pretzels will soften in the fridge, so add them last if you must chill.
Printable Recipe Card
Chocolate Reindeer Donuts
Yield: 8–12 | Prep: 5–10 min | Total: 5–10 min
Ingredients
Directions
- Set donuts on a wooden board.
- Use small dabs of frosting to attach mini pretzels as antlers and press on candy eyes.
- Add a red chocolate candy nose beneath the hole; serve.

FAQ
Can I use powdered or plain glazed donuts?
Yes—powdered donuts look snowy, and plain glazed works too. You may need a little extra frosting for the eyes to stick.
Will the pretzels get soft?
Eventually. Add mini pretzels close to serving time for maximum crunch.
What if I don’t have candy eyes?
Use two chocolate chips or pipe micro dots of white chocolate with mini chips as pupils.
How do I transport a full board?
Decorate on parchment, then slide donuts into a low-sided bakery box. Add extra red chocolate candies and mini pretzels for quick fixes on arrival.





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