This delightful Nutterbutter Reindeer recipe is perfect for the holiday season. It's a fun, easy, and interactive recipe that will surely be loved by kids and adults alike. The cookies are transformed into cute little reindeer faces, complete with eyes, noses, antlers, adding a dash of holiday charm to your cookie platter.
Photos of NutterButter Reindeer Recipe
All ingredients are easily found in any supermarket. However, candy eyes might not be commonly found in everyone's kitchen. These are small, edible eyes used for decorating sweets and they can be usually found in the baking aisle. Similarly, candy melts which are used for attaching the decorations, might need a special trip to the supermarket.
Nutterbutter Reindeer Recipe Ingredients
Nutterbutter cookies: A peanut-shaped sandwich cookie with a peanut butter filling, which will serve as the base of our reindeer.
White candy melts: These are small, round, white chocolates that melt easily to act as a glue for our decorations.
Candy eyes: These are small, edible eyes used for decorating sweets and will be used to give our reindeer cookies their lively expression.
Large red M&M's: These will be used to create the shiny red nose of our reindeer, synonymous with the holiday season.
Pretzels: Pretzel sticks will be used as antlers for our reindeer, giving them a rustic, charming look.
One reader, Jolie Benavidez says:
This nutterbutter reindeer recipe is a hit! The cookies turned out adorable and tasted delicious. The combination of the crunchy pretzels, creamy candy melts, and sweet M&M's made for a delightful treat. Plus, it was so fun to make with the kids. Highly recommend for a festive and tasty holiday activity!
Techniques Required for Making Nutterbutter Reindeer
How to melt candy melts: Melt the candy melts according to the package directions, typically by microwaving them in short intervals and stirring until smooth.
How to assemble the reindeer cookies: Use the melted candy melts to attach the broken pretzels as antlers to the top of the nutterbutter cookies. Then, use the candy melts to adhere the candy eyes and red M&M nose onto the cookies. Allow the candy melts to set before serving.
How To Make NutterButter Reindeer
Kids will enjoy their snack with these easy-to-make NutterButter Reindeer assembled with NutterButter cookies, Candy Melts, M&M’s, and pretzels!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 12NutterButter Cookies
- 10white candy melts
- candy eyes,or M&M’s minis
- 12large red M&M’s,or gumballs
- 12pretzels
Instructions
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Break the pretzels into “antler-shaped” pieces.
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Melt the candy melts according to package directions. Spoon into a sandwich Ziploc bag and snip off a very small corner.
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Use the candy melts to “glue” the antlers on. Flip them upside down to let them set.
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Once set, use the candy melts to adhere the nose and eyes onto the cookies.
Nutrition
- Calories: 436.32kcal
- Fat: 19.90g
- Saturated Fat: 11.60g
- Trans Fat: 0.10g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 5.30g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.44g
- Carbohydrates: 62.17g
- Fiber: 2.38g
- Sugar: 42.88g
- Protein: 4.46g
- Cholesterol: 19.60mg
- Sodium: 166.48mg
- Calcium: 73.37mg
- Potassium: 235.76mg
- Iron: 1.60mg
- Vitamin A: 55.84µg
- Vitamin C: 0.46mg
Helpful Technique for Crafting Nutterbutter Reindeer
When melting the candy melts, ensure to stir them frequently to prevent them from burning. Also, using a sandwich ziploc bag with a small corner cut off will give you more control when applying the melted candy onto the nutterbutter cookies. This will help in neatly placing the candy eyes and m&m's onto the cookies. Additionally, when breaking the pretzels, try to get them into a shape that resembles antlers for a more realistic reindeer look.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Festive Recipe
Plan ahead: Before starting the recipe, gather all the ingredients and tools needed. This will help streamline the cooking process and prevent any last-minute scrambling.
Use premade components: Consider using store-bought components like pre-made cookie dough or pre-cut vegetables to save time on preparation.
Multi-task: Look for opportunities to multi-task, such as chopping vegetables while waiting for water to boil, to make the most of your time in the kitchen.
Organize your workspace: Keep your kitchen organized and clean as you cook to avoid wasting time searching for utensils or ingredients.
Substitute Ingredients For NutterButter Reindeer Recipe
nutterbutter cookies - Substitute with peanut butter sandwich cookies: Peanut butter sandwich cookies have a similar flavor and texture to NutterButter cookies, making them a suitable substitute for this recipe.
white candy melts - Substitute with white chocolate chips: White chocolate chips can be melted and used in place of white candy melts to achieve a similar creamy and smooth texture.
candy eyes - Substitute with mini chocolate chips: Mini chocolate chips can be used as a substitute for candy eyes to create the reindeer's eyes.
red m&m's - Substitute with red candy-coated chocolate pieces: Red candy-coated chocolate pieces can be used as a substitute for red M&M's to add a pop of color to the reindeer's nose.
pretzels - Substitute with mini pretzel twists: Mini pretzel twists can be used as a substitute for pretzels to create the reindeer's antlers.
Essential Tools for Making Nutterbutter Reindeer
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen tool that can be used for chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients. It's great for making pastry dough, nut butters, and grinding nuts.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is an essential tool for combining ingredients and mixing batters, sauces, and dressings. It comes in various sizes and materials, such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic, and is a staple in any kitchen.
Spatula: A spatula is a flat, flexible tool that is used for scraping, spreading, and lifting ingredients. It's perfect for folding in delicate mixtures and ensuring that nothing is left behind in bowls or pans.
Baking sheet: A baking sheet, also known as a cookie sheet, is a flat, metal pan used for baking cookies, pastries, and other baked goods. It provides a flat surface for even heat distribution and is essential for achieving golden, crispy results.
Parchment paper: Parchment paper is a non-stick baking paper that is used to line baking sheets and pans. It prevents food from sticking to the pan and makes for easy cleanup. It's also great for creating a non-stick surface when rolling out dough.
Rolling pin: A rolling pin is a cylindrical tool used to flatten and shape dough for pastries, cookies, and bread. It's essential for achieving an even thickness and texture in baked goods.
Cookie cutter: A cookie cutter is a tool used to cut out shapes from rolled-out cookie dough. It comes in various shapes and sizes, allowing for creative and decorative cookies.
Decorating bag: A decorating bag, also known as a piping bag, is used to pipe frosting, icing, and decorative designs onto baked goods. It's a versatile tool for adding intricate details and designs to desserts.
Decorating tips: Decorating tips are metal attachments that are used with decorating bags to create different designs and patterns with frosting or icing. They come in various shapes and sizes, allowing for a wide range of decorative options.
Cooling rack: A cooling rack is a metal grid used to cool baked goods such as cookies, cakes, and pastries. It allows air to circulate around the baked items, preventing them from becoming soggy and ensuring even cooling.
Storing and Freezing Nutterbutter Reindeer
Here are the storing and freezing guidelines for nutterbutter reindeer cookies:
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing or freezing. This will ensure the candy melts and decorations set properly and don't smudge or melt.
- To store: Place the nutterbutter reindeer cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours. Then transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, separating layers with wax paper or parchment paper.
- When ready to serve, thaw the frozen cookies at room temperature for about 30 minutes. The cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- To maintain the best texture and flavor, avoid refrigerating the nutterbutter reindeer cookies as this can cause them to become soggy or stale.
- If you plan to make the cookies in advance for a party or event, it's best to store them in an airtight container at room temperature and assemble the reindeer decorations closer to the time of serving for the freshest presentation.
Interesting Trivia About Nutterbutter Reindeer
Nutterbutter cookies are a popular peanut butter sandwich cookie that was first introduced in 1969. They are known for their distinctive peanut butter flavor and crunchy texture, making them a favorite snack for many.
Is Making Nutterbutter Reindeer at Home Cost-Effective?
This nutterbutter reindeer recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients are affordable and easily accessible, making it a budget-friendly option for a fun and festive treat. With a little creativity and some basic kitchen skills, you can create adorable reindeer cookies that are sure to delight both kids and adults. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate this recipe a solid 8 for its simplicity and visual appeal. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $10, making it an economical choice for a holiday-themed snack.
Is This Holiday Treat Healthy or Unhealthy?
The Nutterbutter Reindeer recipe, while undeniably adorable and festive, is not particularly healthy. The main ingredients - Nutterbutter cookies, white candy melts, candy eyes, M&M's, and pretzels - are all high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed carbohydrates. These ingredients provide little nutritional value and can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and other health issues if consumed in excess.
However, with a few tweaks, this recipe can be made slightly healthier:
- Use whole wheat or almond flour pretzels for added fiber and nutrients
- Replace the white candy melts with dark chocolate, which contains antioxidants and less sugar
- Opt for smaller portions of the treats to control calorie intake
- Pair the treats with fresh fruits or vegetables to balance out the sugar and provide additional vitamins and minerals
Ultimately, while these modifications can make the recipe somewhat healthier, it's important to remember that treats like these should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Editor's Opinion on Nutterbutter Reindeer
This Nutterbutter reindeer recipe is a delightful and whimsical treat that's perfect for the holiday season. The combination of the sweet Nutterbutter cookies, creamy candy melts, and crunchy pretzels creates a delightful texture and flavor profile. The addition of candy eyes and red M&M's adds a playful and festive touch, making these reindeer cookies a fun and adorable addition to any holiday gathering. The recipe is simple and easy to follow, making it a great activity for kids and adults alike. Overall, these Nutterbutter reindeer cookies are a charming and delicious treat that will bring joy to all who enjoy them.
Enhance Your NutterButter Reindeer Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Appetizers and Main Dishes to Accompany Nutterbutter Reindeer
Why trust this NutterButter Reindeer Recipe:
This recipe is a delightful treat for the holidays, using classic Nutterbutter cookies to create adorable reindeer cookies. The use of candy melts ensures a smooth and creamy texture for decorating, while the candy eyes and red M&M's add a festive touch. The inclusion of pretzels provides a satisfying crunch and a hint of saltiness, balancing the sweetness of the cookies. With simple steps and readily available ingredients, this recipe is a fun and delicious way to celebrate the season.
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