Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
These vegan and gluten-free Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies are the perfect holiday treat! Made with a 3-ingredient peanut butter cookie and decorated like reindeer, they’re a fun and easy Christmas cookie everyone will love!
I cannot get over how adorable these reindeer cookies are!
I stumbled across this idea on Pinterest where people were decorating Nutter Butter cookies to look like reindeer. Then I thought, wait a second, I have a nutter butter cookie recipe (that has gone viral several times) which is made with just 3 simple ingredients, why don’t I just make that cookie recipe and decorate them?
So, here we have a homemade version made with better ingredients that are vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free, but still just as cute and just as delicious! These are a much better option in my opinion.
These adorable reindeer cookies are perfect for your holiday cookie exchange or Christmas dessert table. They also make a great treat for leaving out for Santa and his reindeer (that is, if you’re not tempted to eat them all yourself… after all, sharing is caring!).
Featuring a soft and chewy peanut butter cookie, mini pretzels for the reindeer antlers (I use these gluten-free pretzels), and candy chocolates for the eyes and red nose. You can use regular M&Ms if you’re not vegan, or I love to use Unreal Chocolate Gems for a healthier, vegan-friendly option.
Why You’ll Love These Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
- Perfect for holiday parties. These cute reindeer cookies make a fun addition to any Christmas party or a sweet treat to leave out for Santa and his reindeer!
- Easy-to-make. With just 3 simple ingredients, these cookies are made in one bowl, then it’s time for the fun part—decorating! Kids would have a blast decorating these cookies.
- Made with better-for-you ingredients. Unlike store-bought Nutter Butters, this recipe is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free—making it a healthier holiday treat.
Ingredients Needed to Make Vegan Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Scroll down to the recipe card to get the full recipe with measurements.
- Almond Flour – this creates that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. A few readers have successfully substituted the almond flour for 3/4 cup oat flour.
- Peanut Butter – use a runny peanut butter with just peanuts (and salt) as ingredients for the best consistency.
- Maple Syrup – adds natural sweetness. Agave or honey would work as substitutions (note that honey makes the recipe non-vegan).
- Vanilla Extract (optional) – to add a depth of flavor.
- Salt (optional) – just a pinch to bring out all the flavors.
- Mini Pretzels – for the reindeer antlers. I use these gluten-free pretzels to keep the recipe gluten-free.
- Candy Chocolates – for the eyes and red nose. Use Unreal Chocolate Gems to keep this recipe vegan. M&Ms are a non-vegan option.
How To Make Reindeer Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix together the almond flour, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract (if using), and salt (if using) until smooth.
- Scoop 1-tablespoon sized balls of dough and place them on the baking sheet. Arrange two balls next to each other, making sure they’re touching to form a peanut shape. Press down on each ball with a fork to create a hatch pattern.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before decorating. They may feel soft when you take them out, but they will firm up as they cool.
- Optional: To make them more like traditional Nutter Butters, once the cookies have cooled, sandwich a teaspoon of peanut butter between two cookies and press together. I like to leave them as single cookies for easier decorating. Then, I also have more cookies to decorate!
- Use peanut butter or melted chocolate to attach two mini pretzels for the antlers and candy gems for the eyes and red nose on each reindeer. Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Reindeer Cookies
- If the dough is too sticky, wet your hands to make rolling easier. Also, wet the fork when creating the hatch pattern to prevent it from sticking to the dough.
- Make sure to let the cookies cool completely before decorating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies without almond flour?
Some readers have successfully substituted the almond flour with 3/4 cup of oat flour, but it will have a slightly different texture.
How do I store these reindeer cookies?
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes! I would freeze the cookies before decorating. Then, once ready to enjoy, thaw and decorate!
For more vegan gluten-free cookie recipes click here.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ★★★★★ star rating below letting me know how you liked it! This helps others find my recipes. I appreciate your support, as always. xo, Megan
Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup peanut butter, runny
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- pretzels, for the antlers
- chocolate candy gems, for the eyes and nose
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix together the almond flour, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- Scoop 1-tablespoon sized balls of dough and place them on the baking sheet. Arrange two balls next to each other, making sure they’re touching to form a peanut shape. Press down on each ball with a fork to create a hatch pattern. (If the dough is too sticky, wet your hands to make rolling easier and wet the fork when creating the hatch pattern to prevent it from sticking to the dough).
- Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before decorating. They may feel soft when you take them out, but they will firm up as they cool.
- Optional: To make them more like traditional Nutter Butters, once the cookies have cooled, sandwich a teaspoon of peanut butter between two cookies and press together. I like to leave them as single cookies for easier decorating. Then, I also have more cookies to decorate!
- Use peanut butter or melted chocolate to attach two mini pretzels for the antlers and candy gems for the eyes and red nose on each reindeer. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use these gluten-free pretzels to keep the recipe gluten-free.
- Use Unreal Chocolate Gems to keep this recipe vegan. M&Ms are a non-vegan option.
