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This Reindeer Gingerbread Cookies recipe is the best one ever! These gingerbread cookies have a fun twist on the traditional gingerbread cookie recipe! They are made by using the gingerbread man cookie cutter and turning it upside down! If you are looking for a delicious and fun Christmas cookie recipe that the whole family will love and the kids can help with, this is one to bookmark!
How To Make Reindeer Gingerbread Cookies From Scratch
Reindeer and gingerbread go together perfectly during the holidays! That's why I knew we had to come up with a recipe that involved both!
One of my favorite things to do with my kids is to spend time with the kitchen and during the holidays is no exception. We pick one Saturday during December and that is our baking day. We plan out what we want to make ahead of time and I make sure we have all of the ingredients. I have to admit there has been a few times though my husband has made a run to the store for us. It's always a day of fun, some baking bloopers, but mainly a lot of memories.
If you are planning a day like this with your kids, make sure to pick up some matching aprons or hats, enough spatulas and oven mitts for everyone, and of course make sure you have the camera and phones charged!
And most importantly, have recipes like these cookies planned out. When you are baking with the kids, keep in mind that you don't want recipes that are really involved. Simple, fun, and easy recipes.
Of course, you will need some food already made to snack on so make up some of this delicious sweet and salty Christmas Puppy Chow. It's easy to put together and will satisfy those snack cravings! You won't want to be worrying about lunch either during baking day so make these Hot Italian Subs up ahead of time and then just throw them in the oven when you are ready to bake them!
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe totally works and will become a family favorite to make each year because it's:
- Easy to make
- Fun to make
- Versatile
Expert Tips, Ingredient List and Suggestions for Recipe Success
- All-purpose flour - make sure to use the scoop out with a spoon and flatten with a knife method. Do not just scoop out with a measuring cup.
- Kosher or sea salt - do not use regular table salt.
- Unsalted butter - do not sure salted butter since you adding additional salt.
- Brown sugar - doesn't matter if it's light or dark.
- Unsulfured Molasses - if you can't find molasses you can use dark Karo corn syrup.
- Make sure to bring the egg to room temperature and to lay the butter out about 30 minutes before you start making the the cookies so that it is softened.
What is Molasses?
Molasses is a dark and thick syrup that is made when the juice from sugar beets and sugar cane has been extracted and boiled. The saying, "slow as molasses" references how slow this delicious concoction comes out of the glass jar.
Why is Molasses Used?
It is used in gingerbread cookies to make them chewy and golden brown.
What Can Be Substituted for Molasses?
Honey and Dark Karo Corn Syrup is what I have found works the best.
How Long Should The Dough Rest For?
For a minimum of two hours before you bake it.
How Long Are They Good For?
Stored in an air-tight container on the kitchen counter for 2 to 3 weeks. However, they won't be around that long.
Step by Step Directions
Refer to the complete directions in the recipe card below.
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine together your dry ingredients and set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together.
Step 3: Combine the next ingredients.
Step 4: Mix together the wet and dry ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for two hours in the fridge.
Step 5: Prepare your baking mats and preheat your oven.
Step 6: Cut out the reindeer.
Step 7: Bake the cookies.
Step 8: Once they are done, remove from oven and let them cool.
Step 9: Make the reindeer face.
Step 10: Make the frosting.
Step 11: Decorate the cookies.
Step 12: Let the decoration harden then enjoy!
Christmas In July Cookie Celebration
Looking for some more delicious and fun cookie recipes? Make sure to check out these delicious recipes!
Chocolate Marshmallow Peppermint Cookies from Walking on Sunshine Recipes
Elegant Christmas Tree Cookies from She Saved
Avalanche Cookies from Cincy Shopper
Mickey Mouse Christmas Cookies from Cutefetti
Grinch Christmas Cookies from Aileen Cooks
Italian Ricotta Cookies from Ever After in the Woods
Lemon Iced Star Shortbread Cookies from Sizzling Eats
Related Recipes
Reindeer Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting
Celery and Peanut Butter Reindeer
📖 Recipe
Reindeer Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened (bring to room temp on a counter)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsulfured molasses
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Icing
- royal icing mix
- edible eyes
- red cinnamon candies
- sprinkles
- brown food gel coloring
Instructions
- In a small bowl, sift together your flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and both of the sugars until they are light and fluffy. You will want to make sure the texture is no longer like wet sand.
- Next add in the egg, molasses, and vanilla and blend well.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet and mix well until thoroughly combined. Do not overmix. Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for two hours or overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line your baking sheets with either parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- When the dough is chilled, roll it out to about ½ inches thick. Then turn your reindeer cookie cutter upside down to to cut out the reindeer. Place them onto the baking sheet. Make sure to leave some space between the cookies as they will spread out a bit.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes. After about five (5) minutes, remove them from the baking sheet to a wire rack to continue cooling
- Once the cookies have completely cooled, outline the face with an edible food marker.
- Then make the royal icing and tint it to the color you desire for the face.
- Using a spoon, place a teaspoon of royal icing within the lines to make the face and the ears. Using the end of a cookie decorating tool, spread the icing within the outline to fully frost the reindeer’s face.
- Place the eyes as well as the nose.
- Using the decorating tool, spread more of the frosting to make the reindeer antlers and then with a pair of tweezers or your fingers, add on the sprinkles or other candies to make the ornaments.
- Let the icing harden and then enjoy!
These are so cute!
Thank you!