Delight your family and friends with these adorable and delicious reindeer cookies, perfect for the holiday season.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and beat until well combined.
Crack the egg into a separate bowl first to avoid shell fragments.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
Add the dry ingredients in portions to prevent clumping.
Roll the dough into small balls, flatten them slightly, and shape into triangles. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Use a small scoop for uniform cookie sizes.
Decorate each triangle with pretzels for antlers, a red candy for the nose, and two green candies for the eyes.
Press the decorations gently to ensure they stick to the dough.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Rotate the baking sheet halfway through for even baking.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Cooling on the sheet helps the cookies set and prevents breakage.