Reindeer Gingersnap Cookies are the perfect no-bake Christmas treat for busy families who want something festive without turning on the oven. These adorable cookies come together in less than 30 minutes with just a few simple ingredients and zero baking required.
Reindeer Gingersnap Cookies
What I love most is how easy these are to make with kids. The decorating is simple enough that even little hands can help, and you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry. They’re perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or just a fun afternoon activity when the kids are home from school.
Ingredients & Equipment
You’ll need these ingredients to make your Reindeer Gingersnap Cookies:
- Gingersnap cookies
- Pretzel twists
- Large candy eyes
- Malted milk balls
- Red frosting
- Wilton light cocoa candy melts
- Edible pink glitter
Full measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You’ll also need a few things from your kitchen:
- Small microwave safe bowl
- Spoon for stirring
- Sandwich bag for red frosting
Step By Step Directions
This recipe makes about 12 servings. It takes 10 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of set time.
Step 1. In a small microwave safe bowl, heat your candy melts on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.
Step 2. Dip the bottom of a malted milk ball into your melted chocolate and onto the bottom of your gingersnap cookie (do this to half of your cookies).
Step 3. Dip the bottom of two pretzel twists into your melted chocolate and place on the top of your gingersnap cookies.
Step 4. Dip the back of two candy eyes into your melted chocolate and place below your pretzel twist antlers.
Step 5. Now use your red frosting bag to draw a circle Rudolph nose underneath the candy eyes to the cookies that do not have a malted milk ball.
Step 6. Sprinkle a pinch of edible pink glitter onto your red noses.
Step 7. Let your cookies set for about 25 minutes and enjoy!
Variations
- Use chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies instead of gingersnaps for a different flavor
- Try white chocolate melts instead of light cocoa for a winter white reindeer look
- Use mini chocolate chips for noses instead of red frosting
- Add a small piece of red candy like M&Ms or Red Hots for Rudolph’s nose
- Make all Rudolph cookies by adding red noses to every cookie instead of just half
- Use mini pretzels for smaller reindeer antlers on bite-sized cookies
Leftovers & Storage
Store your Reindeer Gingersnap Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep layers separated with parchment paper to prevent the decorations from sticking together. These actually taste even better the next day once all the chocolate has fully set and the flavors have had time to meld.
Tips & Tricks
- Make sure to stir your candy melts every 30 seconds to prevent burning and ensure smooth melting
- Work quickly when attaching decorations so the chocolate doesn’t harden before you finish
- If your chocolate starts to thicken while decorating, pop it back in the microwave for 15 seconds at 50% power
- Use a toothpick to apply a tiny dot of melted chocolate for more precise placement of candy eyes
- Let cookies sit undisturbed while setting so decorations don’t slide off
- Cut a small corner off your frosting bag for better control when drawing noses
- Make extras because these go fast at parties and cookie exchanges
Recipe FAQs
Can I use store-bought frosting instead of frosting in a bag? Yes, you can use regular canned frosting. Just spoon a small amount into a sandwich bag and snip off a tiny corner to pipe the noses. Red gel frosting also works well for more precise decorating.
What if I can’t find light cocoa candy melts? Regular chocolate chips or dark chocolate candy melts work just fine. You can also use white chocolate melts for a different look. The color won’t affect the taste or how well the decorations stick.
How far in advance can I make these cookies? You can make these up to 3 days ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper. They’re actually easier to stack and transport once the chocolate has fully hardened.
Can kids help make these cookies? Absolutely! This is a great recipe for kids. They can help dip the decorations in chocolate and place them on the cookies. Just supervise the microwave part and help with the melting chocolate to prevent burns.
Do I need to refrigerate these cookies? No, these cookies are fine at room temperature. In fact, refrigerating them can cause the candy eyes to get condensation on them and look cloudy. Room temperature storage keeps them looking their best.
What can I substitute for malted milk balls? You can skip the malted milk balls entirely and just make all Rudolph cookies with red noses. Or try using chocolate truffles, round chocolates, or even small cookie balls for the reindeer faces.
More Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
- Christmas M&M Cookies
- Santa’s Trash Cookies
- Pecan Snowball Cookies
- Christmas Oreos
- Hungarian Cookies (aka Kiffles Cookies)
- Twix Cookies
- Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
- Butterscotch Haystack Cookies
- Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies
Equipment
- Piping bags or sandwich bag
Ingredients
- 12 Gingersnap cookies
- 24 Mini pretzel twists
- 24 Large candy eyes
- Malted milk balls
- Red frosting
- 1 cup Wilton light cocoa candy melts
- Edible pink glitter
Instructions
- In a small microwave safe bowl, heat your candy melts on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.
- Dip the bottom of a malted milk ball into your melted chocolate and onto the bottom of your gingersnap cookie (do this to half of your cookies).
- Dip the bottom of two pretzel twists into your melted chocolate and place on the top of your gingersnap cookies.
- Dip the back of two candy eyes into your melted chocolate and place below your pretzel twist antlers.
- Now use your red frosting bag to draw a circle Rudolph nose underneath the candy eyes to the cookies that do not have a malted milk ball.
- Sprinkle a pinch of edible pink glitter onto your red noses.
- Let your cookies set for about 20 minutes.
Notes
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