Description
Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookies are a festive and fun treat perfect for the holiday season. These soft and chewy cookies combine creamy peanut butter with a classic cookie dough, then get a playful Rudolph makeover with mini pretzels for antlers, red M&M noses, and mini chocolate chip eyes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Decoration
- 24 mini pretzels (for antlers)
- 24 red M&Ms (for Rudolph’s nose)
- 48 mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a uniform dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each ball slightly by pressing down with a fork.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges become lightly golden. Then remove them and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate each cookie by pressing two mini chocolate chips for eyes, a red M&M for Rudolph’s nose, and two mini pretzels on top as antlers, gently pressing decorations so they stick well.
- Serve: Let the decorated cookies set for a few minutes and then serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh.
Notes
- For chunkier texture, use chunky peanut butter.
- Ensure cookies are cooled completely before decorating so the toppings adhere better.
- You can substitute pretzels with small pretzel sticks if mini pretzels are unavailable.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week at room temperature.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze unbaked dough balls or baked cookies separately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
