Reindeer Cookie Bar

Reindeer Cookie Bar

A fun holiday activity that inspires creativity.  

Cook's Notes: You will need baked sugar cookies in assorted shapes,  tubs of frosting (grocery store baking aisle), sprinkles, icing and other edible decorative materials. Larger grocery stores may carry baked plain sugar cookies for purchase as a time saver. 

 Paper cupcake liners in muffin tins work well.

You can make your own sugar cookies too and this one below is a favorite.  

Sugar Cookie
Recipe adapted from Southern Living and makes 22 cookies using a small 3 inch cookie cutter.
Ingredients:

• 1 cup of softened butter (2 sticks)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 large egg
• 2-1/4 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone pad.
• Beat softened butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, add in egg beat until well blended.
• Combine flour, salt and baking powder and add to butter mixture, beating just until blended.
• Refrigerate dough 1 hour or in freezer 30 minutes.
• Work with enough dough to roll out for 2-3 cookies at a time.
• Place cookies two inches apart on baking sheet.
• Bake 8 minutes or until edges lightly browned.
• Cool on baking sheet 3 minutes and transfer to a wire baking rack to cool.

Icing 

Ingredients:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 TB.butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1-1/2 TB Amaretto or 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• Milk  

Directions:

• Beat ingredients until smooth adding in tablespoons of milk until right consistency.

Another cookie idea that kids will love decorating their own reindeer.

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
Recipe makes  about 30 cookies. 
INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1- 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1- 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Chocolate-covered mini pretzels
• Mini brown M&Ms and regular-sized red M&Ms

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 375° degrees
• Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, butter, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add egg; beat until just blended.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.
• Form dough into 1-inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies, pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gently flatten with your hand. Space cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until set or just beginning to brown.
• Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two mini pretzels into the tops of the cookies for the reindeer’s antlers. Press two mini brown M&M's in for the eyes and one red M&M for the nose.
• Allow to cool 2 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel to cool completely.