Description

These delightful Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft and flavorful gingerbread cookies are cut into fun reindeer shapes, baked to perfection, and decorated with a rich cocoa-spiced icing and festive candies. Ideal for gifting or sharing at holiday gatherings, these cookies combine traditional gingerbread spices with creative decorating techniques to bring holiday cheer.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/3 cup blackstrap molasses
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

Icing and Decoration

2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons meringue powder (optional)
1 tablespoon hazelnut liquor (optional)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Water (approximately 2 tablespoons, divided)
Mini chocolate chips or mini red M&M candies (for nose)
Candy eyes
Holiday sprinkles and/or edible gold dust (for decorating antlers)
Melted chocolate (for antlers piping)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Mix the Cookie Dough: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract together until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the egg and mix until combined, then stir in the blackstrap molasses. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Beat until the dough is well combined.
Roll and Cut the Dough: Divide the dough in half. On a floured piece of parchment paper, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness, ensuring enough flour is used to prevent sticking. Using a gingerbread cookie cutter, cut the dough into reindeer-shaped cookies. Transfer cookies carefully onto the prepared baking sheets using a floured spatula. Cover the baking sheets and place in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm the dough.
Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-13 minutes or until they are just set. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet.
Prepare the Icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, meringue powder (if using), hazelnut liquor (if using), vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of water until you have a smooth, drizzly consistency. Add more water, one tablespoon at a time, if needed to thin the icing.
Decorate the Cookies: Transfer the icing to a ziplock bag and snip a small hole at the corner. Pipe an outline around the head, arms, and chest of each gingerbread reindeer. Flip the cookie upside down and fill in the face with icing. In a separate ziplock bag, pipe melted chocolate to create antlers extending from the head over the legs and feet. Attach candy eyes near the top of the head and use a mini chocolate chip or mini red M&M for the nose. Decorate the antlers with holiday sprinkles or edible gold dust as desired.
Set and Store: Allow the decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for at least 1 hour until the icing hardens. Once dry, store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. These cookies make excellent festive gifts!

Notes

Using blackstrap molasses adds a rich, robust flavor that is traditional for gingerbread but can be substituted with regular molasses if preferred.
Chilling the dough before baking helps maintain cookie shape and prevent spreading.
Meringue powder is optional but helps in stiffening the icing for better decoration.
Hazelnut liquor adds a subtle nutty flavor to the icing but can be omitted to keep the recipe non-alcoholic.
Decorate cookies once fully cooled to avoid melting the icing.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for best texture and freshness.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: gingerbread cookies, reindeer cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, festive treats, gingerbread, decorated cookies, holiday baking