Adorable Reindeer Nutter Butters Everyone Will Love

Every year when the holidays roll around, I find myself craving fun and easy treats that bring a little extra joy to the kitchen. These reindeer Nutter Butters are one of my absolute favorites to make because they’re so simple but look like you spent ages on them. There’s just something about those little pretzel antlers and candy noses that instantly makes everyone smile. They’re the kind of treat that disappears from the plate almost as fast as you can set them down.

I love making these with the kids, they get so excited to decorate each one. Some end up with perfectly placed antlers and others have a little extra personality, but that’s all part of the fun. It’s such a relaxed activity and the cookies always turn out adorable, no matter how they’re decorated. Plus, there’s no baking involved, which means we can whip up a whole batch in no time and move on to the rest of our holiday festivities.

These little reindeer are perfect for so many occasions. I like to tuck them into cookie tins for gifting, pile them on a platter for holiday parties, or wrap them up for bake sales. They’re cute, festive, and incredibly easy to make, which is exactly what I need during the busy Christmas season. If you’re looking for a treat that’s guaranteed to bring some holiday magic to your kitchen, these are it.

Ingredients

• 16 oz. package of Nutter Butter cookies (about 32 cookies): These make the perfect little reindeer faces and hold up so well when dipped and decorated.
• 24 oz. chocolate almond bark: I love how smooth and shiny this coating turns out, and it sets beautifully to keep all the decorations in place.
• 32 pretzels, halved with the middle section removed: These become the cutest antlers and add a little salty crunch to each bite.
• 64 eyeball candies: I can’t help but smile every time I stick these on because they give each reindeer its own quirky expression.
• 32 red (or brown) M&M candies: These finish off the look with bright Rudolph noses or classic brown ones for the rest of the herd.

Recipe Instructions

You can find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Place the almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until smooth and melted.

2. Dip one side of each Nutter Butter cookie into the melted almond bark.

3. Flip the cookie over so the coated side is facing up.

4. Press two pretzel halves into the top for antlers, add two candy eyeballs, and finish with an M&M for the nose.

5. Repeat with the remaining cookies.

6. Let the decorated cookies sit for about 1 hour, or until the candy coating has fully set.

Serving & Storing

• I like to serve these on a big festive platter so everyone can admire how cute they look before they disappear.

• They’re a fun addition to any holiday dessert table and always get lots of compliments.

• If you’re making them ahead, I store the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature.

• They usually stay fresh for about 4 to 5 days, which makes them perfect for party prep or gifting.

• I keep them in a cool spot so the chocolate coating doesn’t soften, especially if the house is warm from holiday baking.

Variations

• Swap the chocolate almond bark for white almond bark and use mini chocolate chips for eyes to give them a frosty winter look.

• Use peanut butter M&Ms or mini gumdrops for the noses to add a little extra flavor and texture.

• Try dipping just half the cookie in chocolate and leaving the other half plain for a fun two-tone effect.

• Add a light dusting of edible glitter or gold sprinkles on the antlers to make them sparkle for parties.

• Use candy melts in festive colors like red or green instead of classic chocolate for a playful twist.

• Replace the Nutter Butters with Milano or oval shortbread cookies for a slightly different shape and flavor.

• Add a tiny white nonpareil under the nose to give them a “snowy” look.

• Let kids create their own reindeer faces with a mix of different candies for eyes and noses.

Substitutions

• White candy melts: You can use these instead of chocolate almond bark if you prefer a different flavor or color.

• Candy eyes made from icing: If you can’t find eyeball candies, pipe small dots of white and black icing to make your own.

• Mini pretzels: These work just as well for the antlers if you break them carefully into halves.

• Round cookies like Vienna fingers or shortbread: Use these if Nutter Butters aren’t available in your area.

• Red Skittles or gumdrops: These make great Rudolph noses if you don’t have red M&Ms on hand.

• Milk or dark chocolate chips: Melt these as a substitute for almond bark if that’s what you have in the pantry.

• Homemade chocolate coating: You can mix chocolate chips with a little coconut oil to create a smooth dipping chocolate.

• Vegan candy and chocolate: Swap in dairy-free alternatives if you want to make the cookies suitable for a vegan crowd.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can make them a few days in advance. I like to store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they usually stay fresh for about 4 to 5 days.

Do I need to refrigerate them?
No, it’s best to keep them at room temperature so the chocolate coating doesn’t get sticky from condensation. Just make sure they’re stored in a cool, dry spot.

Can I freeze Reindeer Nutter Butters?
You can, but the decorations might not look quite as cute once they thaw. If you do freeze them, layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container and let them come to room temperature before serving.

What if I can’t find Nutter Butter cookies?
Any oval-shaped cookie will work. Milano cookies, Vienna fingers, or even homemade peanut butter sandwich cookies make great substitutes.

Can kids help decorate these?
Absolutely! Decorating is the best part. Just set up a little assembly line with the melted chocolate, pretzels, eyes, and noses, and let them have fun creating their own reindeer.

How do I keep the antlers from falling off?
Make sure the chocolate coating is still wet when you press in the pretzels so they set firmly as it hardens. If needed, you can add a little extra melted chocolate as “glue.”