Festive Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookies
Delight both the young and young-at-heart with these charming Festive Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookies. Crafted with creamy peanut butter, buttery goodness, and topped with adorable reindeer features, these cookies make a wonderful addition to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re sharing them at a festive gathering or leaving them out for Santa, each sweet and nutty bite is sure to bring a holiday smile.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
1/2 cup (softened)
peanut butter
3/4 cup
granulated sugar
1/3 cup
packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup
large egg
1
pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups
baking soda
1 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
red M&M's plain chocolate candy or maraschino cherries
48 (halved if cherries)
miniature semisweet chocolate chips
96
thin pretzel
96 pieces (broken into 1-inch pieces)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the rack in the center. Lightly grease two baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3
Add the egg and pure vanilla extract to the mixture. Continue to beat until all ingredients are well combined.
4
Gradually add in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms and the ingredients are fully incorporated.
5
Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll each into a 1-inch ball. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
6
Bake each sheet separately for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are just set and the bottoms are a light golden brown.
7
As soon as the cookies are out of the oven, gently press one red M&M or a cherry half into the center of each cookie for Rudolph’s nose. Add two miniature chocolate chips for eyes above the nose. Finally, insert two pretzel pieces on top of each cookie to create reindeer antlers.
8
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookies?
These are charming holiday treats made with a creamy peanut butter cookie base and decorated with pretzels, M&Ms, and chocolate chips to look like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
What temperature should the oven be set to for these cookies?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
What are the main ingredients for the cookie dough?
The dough consists of unsalted butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
How do I create Rudolph's red nose?
Gently press one red M&M or a maraschino cherry half into the center of each cookie immediately after baking.
What should I use for the reindeer antlers?
Use two pieces of thin pretzels, broken into 1-inch pieces, and insert them into the top of each cookie while still warm.
How do I make the eyes for the reindeer cookies?
Place two miniature semisweet chocolate chips above the nose on each cookie as soon as they come out of the oven.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until they are just set and the bottoms are light golden brown.
Can I use maraschino cherries instead of M&Ms?
Yes, the recipe suggests using either red M&M candies or maraschino cherry halves for the nose.
Does the butter need to be softened?
Yes, use 1/2 cup of unsalted butter that has been softened to ensure proper creaming with the sugars.
How long should I cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars?
Beat the mixture on medium speed with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes until it is light and fluffy.
Should I grease the baking sheets?
You should either lightly grease the baking sheets or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Where should the oven rack be positioned?
The rack should be positioned in the center of the oven for even baking.
How much space should be left between the cookies on the tray?
Leave about 1 inch of space between each dough ball on the prepared baking sheets.
When is the best time to add the decorations?
Decorations must be added as soon as the cookies are removed from the oven while they are still soft.
How large should the cookie dough balls be?
Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls.
Are these cookies suitable for kids?
Yes, these cookies are described as kid-friendly and are a fun activity for children to help decorate.
What type of flour is required for this recipe?
This recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
What type of peanut butter is recommended?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of creamy peanut butter.
How many red M&Ms or cherries do I need?
You will need approximately 48 red M&Ms or cherry halves to provide noses for the full batch.
How many miniature chocolate chips are needed for the eyes?
You will need 96 miniature semisweet chocolate chips to make two eyes for each of the 48 cookies.
How many pretzel pieces are used for the antlers?
The recipe calls for 96 pieces of thin pretzels, broken into 1-inch segments.
How long should the cookies cool on the baking sheet?
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Is light brown sugar necessary?
Yes, 1/3 cup of packed light brown sugar is used to add moisture and flavor to the cookies.
Do I need to add salt to the dough?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is included in the recipe to balance the sweetness.
What role does baking soda play in this recipe?
One teaspoon of baking soda is used as a leavening agent to help the cookies rise.
What is the flavor profile of these cookies?
They offer a sweet and nutty peanut butter flavor with buttery undertones.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies are ready when they are just set and the bottoms have turned a light golden brown.
Do I need an electric mixer?
Yes, an electric mixer is recommended to cream the butter and sugars until they reach the desired fluffy consistency.
Should I use pure vanilla extract?
Yes, one teaspoon of pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best holiday flavor.
Are these cookies appropriate for a holiday cookie exchange?
Absolutely, their festive appearance and classic peanut butter taste make them perfect for holiday gatherings or exchanges.