When I need something adorable + fast, I reach for Nutter Butter Reindeer.
No dipping, no fuss—just “glue” on curly pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a bright red M&M nose.
They’re salty-sweet, kid-approved, and perfect for cookie trays, school parties, or last-minute movie-night snacks.
Yield: ~24 reindeer (1 standard package)
Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
Set Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: ~30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy (kid-helper friendly)
Ingredients
- Nutter Butter cookies
- candy eyes
- red M&M’s
- mini pretzels (break into antlers)
- “Glue”: royal icing or melted chocolate
Helpful Extras
- piping bags (or zip-top bags—snip a tiny corner)
- parchment paper + a sheet pan
- toothpicks for tidy dots of glue
Step-by-Step Instructions
1) Stage the cookies.
Line a sheet pan with parchment. Arrange Nutter Butter cookies in rows.
2) Make antlers.
Gently break mini pretzels along the curves to form C-shaped antlers. Pipe two small dots of royal icing (or melted chocolate) near the top of each cookie and press in the pretzel pieces.
3) Eyes & nose.
Dot two tiny spots of icing for candy eyes and one dot for a red M&M nose. Press gently so they adhere without oozing.
4) Set.
Let cookies dry on the parchment-lined tray until icing/chocolate is firm (about 15–20 minutes), then transfer to a platter.
Pro Tips
- Clean dots = cute faces: Use a piping bag with a teeny opening or a toothpick to place micro-dabs of icing and add the candy eyes.
- Royal vs. chocolate: Royal icing sets firm at room temp; melted chocolate sets faster if you can chill the tray 5 minutes.
- Uniform antlers: Break multiple mini pretzels at once and pick the best matching pairs for a tidy “herd.”
Variations
- Chocolate herd: Use dark melted chocolate as glue and swap to white candy eyes for contrast.
- Color-pop noses: Try mini gumdrops or red Sixlets.
- Nut-free lookalike: Use oval butter cookies if peanut cookies aren’t allowed.
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Make-ahead: Assemble up to 2–3 days in advance with royal icing.
- Storage: Keep in a single layer in an airtight container at cool room temperature. Add a small sheet of parchment between layers if stacking.
Printable Recipe Card
Nutter Butter Reindeer (No-Bake)
Yield: ~24 | Prep: 10–15 min | Set: 15–20 min | Total: ~30 min
Ingredients
- Nutter Butter cookies
- candy eyes
- red M&M’s
- mini pretzels (broken into antlers)
- royal icing or melted chocolate
Directions
- Pipe dots of royal icing onto the top of each Nutter Butter and press in broken pretzels as antlers.
- Add more icing to attach candy eyes and a red M&M nose.
- Let dry on a parchment-lined tray until set.
Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Yield: ~24 | Prep: 10–15 min | Set: 15–20 min | Total: ~30 min
Ingredients- Nutter Butter cookies
- candy eyes
- red M&M’s
- mini pretzels (broken into antlers)
- royal icing or melted chocolate
- Pipe dots of royal icing onto the top of each Nutter Butter and press in broken pretzels as antlers.
- Add more icing to attach candy eyes and a red M&M nose.
- Let dry on a parchment-lined tray until set.
FAQ
Can I use frosting instead of royal icing?
Yes—stiffer buttercream will work, but it won’t set as hard. For travel or classroom trays, I prefer royal icing or a dab of melted chocolate.
How do I keep antlers from breaking off in transport?
Let the icing cure fully, then pack in a single layer in an airtight container. Tuck a sheet of parchment underneath for easy lifting.
Any nut-free alternatives for school?
Use oval butter cookies and seed-butter “glue,” or confirm your class allows Nutter Butter before bringing them in.
Can kids help?
Absolutely—prep broken pretzels and a small bowl of candy eyes. Let kids place eyes and noses while you dot the icing.
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