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These Adorable Reindeer Oreos make a festive holiday treat that brings a lot of joy and smiles. They are easy to assemble and perfect for involving kids in holiday baking fun. With playful details like red noses, candy eyes, and pretzel antlers, these Oreos become charming little reindeer that grace cookie trays or party tables, always disappearing quickly because they taste as good as they look.
I first made these when my niece was visiting, and seeing her carefully place pretzel antlers was one of the sweetest holiday memories I have. Now I always make extras to share because everyone asks for them.
Ingredients
- Regular Oreo cookies: these form the delicious base and crisp exterior, choose regular toasting or classic flavor for best results
- Chocolate candy melts: for coating the Oreos smoothly, opt for high quality melts to ensure shine and even coverage
- Light brown candy melts: represent the reindeer's snout, select a smooth variety that melts easily without graininess
- Red M&M candies: used as bright shiny noses, pick the classic red ones for that iconic Rudolph look
- Candy eyeballs: add personality to the reindeer, look for sturdy ones that won’t melt or distort during assembly
- Twisted pretzels: form the antlers, fresh pretzels work best as they are less likely to break when handled
Instructions
- Smoothing the Chocolate:
- Place your chocolate candy melts into a microwave safe bowl. Heat at 50 percent power for one minute, then stir thoroughly. Continue microwaving at 30second intervals at the same power, stirring after each, until the chocolate gets completely smooth and lump free. This method prevents burning and keeps the chocolate silky.
- Coating the Oreos:
- Using a fork or candy dipper, slowly submerge each Oreo into the melted chocolate until fully covered. Lift gently and tap the fork against the bowl edge to remove excess chocolate, so it does not drip or pool unevenly.
- Setting Them Up:
- Lay the coated Oreo on parchment paper to cool but ready to decorate while chocolate is soft. Carefully press a light brown candy melt near the bottom half as the snout. Just above it, place two candy eyeballs spaced evenly. Add one red M&M right in the center of the snout using a small dab of chocolate as glue. Break a pretzel in half, and attach one half on each side of the Oreo to mimic antlers, pressing gently but firmly to secure.
- Letting Them Set:
- Allow your assembled reindeer Oreos to rest unstirred for about 10 minutes, which gives the chocolate time to harden and the decorations to stay perfectly in place. Only move them once the chocolate is firm to avoid smudging.
The red M&M noses are my favorite little detail. Once, at a holiday party, a kid accidentally ate the nose first and loudly exclaimed that Rudolph was "missing his nose." It caused a wave of laughter and a hunt for more red M&Ms to fix the problem. Those moments are why I love making these simple treats sparking happiness with family and friends.
Storage Tips
Store your finished reindeer Oreos in an airtight container at room temperature to keep the chocolate firm and prevent the pretzels from going stale. They stay fresh for up to five days, making them a great makeahead holiday treat. Avoid refrigeration which can cause condensation and dull the chocolate shine.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you want a slightly different flavor, swap the plain Oreos for Chocolate or Golden variety, which also works well. White chocolate candy melts can replace regular chocolate if you prefer a sweeter, creamier base. For a nutty twist, use mini pretzel twists or broken pretzel sticks for the antlers. Substitute candy eyeballs with piped dots of white chocolate or icing if you cannot find them.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these reindeer Oreos on festive trays surrounded by pine sprigs or alongside mugs of warm cocoa for holiday gatherings. They also make adorable individual gifts when wrapped in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon, perfect for neighbors or office parties.
These reindeer Oreos are festive, easy, and perfect for holiday gatherings. Get the kids involved for extra fun.
Common Questions About Recipes
- → What ingredients create the reindeer features?
Candy eyes, red M&M noses, light brown candy melts for snouts, and twisted pretzels as antlers combine to shape the reindeer look.
- → How is the chocolate melted for coating?
The chocolate candy melts are heated gently in a microwave at half power, stirred frequently until completely smooth for easy dipping.
- → Can kids help with decorating?
Yes, assembling the cookies is simple and kid-friendly, making decorating a fun holiday activity for children.
- → How long does the chocolate take to set?
After decorating, allow the cookies to rest about 10 minutes so the chocolate hardens suitably for serving.
- → What occasions suit these oreo treats?
These are perfect for holiday parties, cookie trays, or festive gatherings, adding a charming seasonal touch.