Festive Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies

Thanksgiving is past which means this home is in full Holiday Spirit.  From garland lining the fireplaces to cookies in the oven and ready for decorating we thought we would share our first Holiday recipe of the season.  

My family had a little chuckle with these Festive Gingerbread Reindeer cookies using a gingerbread boy cookie cutter. Gingerbread Christmas cookie recipe redo!

reindeer Gingerbread cookies

I have not made gingerbread cookies in a few years, so I went to an old recipe I have used for years.  Nothing fancy but the perfect consistency for these gingerbread cookies.

Festive Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies

Make your dough and allow it to cool for at least 3 hours. Trust me, don’t rush this step, you don’t want sticky dough.

gingerbread dough cut with a gingerbread man cookie cutter

How do you turn a gingerbread cookie cutter into a reindeer?

Using a standard size gingerbread man cut out, do your magic.  Don’t really need to explain this part do I?

Once they are baked, its up to you if you like them crispy or a little soft.  I am making these to freeze and add finishing touches before the party I am attending.

unbaked cut outs of gingerbread men on parchment paper

HOW TO DECORATE GINGERBREAD MEN INTO REINDEER

Once your gingerbread cookies are cooled, and I mean all the way cooled people.  Icing does not like to stay on warm cookies. Turn the gingerbread men upside down.

Use white cooking icing, to add the antlers.   I buy my at the store already prepared.  Unless I am making a bunch of iced cookies, I don’t make my own royal icing.

gingerbread reindeer decorated with white icing and on cooling rack

If you plan on using these right away, go ahead and add mini chocolate chips or brown cookie icing  or candy eyes for the eyes.  Which do you like better?

 

gingerbread reindeer with eyes and noses

 

Then attach either a brown or red M&M or Red Hot candy.  Again it is bakers choice on this.

I froze these cookies in a single layer and will add the eyes and nose after they defrost.

I cold not resist adding them to a sleigh to serve them up!

 

reindeer Gingerbread cookies in a santa sleigh and santa statue

 

Which decoration do you prefer? Once I make them all I will update my photo but these were too cute not to share early on in the baking season.

This will be my cookie exchange presentation this year.  Hope I win.

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

reindeer Gingerbread cookies fun cookie exchange display

 

PIN THIS Christmas Cookie FOR YOUR HOLIDAY BAKING:

gingerbread reindeer Recipe

reindeer Gingerbread cookies

Gingerbread Cut Out Cookies

Yield: 20 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Additional Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 28 minutes

Make these adorable Reindeer Gingerbread cookies using a gingerbread boy cut out. 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl beat shortening with a mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the next seven ingredients (through salt). Beat until combined, scraping bowl as needed. Beat in egg, molasses, and vinegar. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill about 3 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion and cut out shapes, rerolling scraps as needed. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
  3. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. If desired, decorate cookies with Powdered Sugar Icing or Royal Icing and candies.
Nutrition Information
Yield 20 Serving Size 1 cookie
Amount Per Serving Calories 151Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 12mgSodium 90mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 0gSugar 11gProtein 2g

All information and tools presented and written within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on stayingclosetohome.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Be sure to check out our other favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes 

 

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