• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fantabulosity logo

  • All Recipes
  • Vintage Recipes
  • Holiday
  • Dinner Theme System
  • About
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Theme Night Dinner System
  • Dinner
  • Desserts
  • Holidays
  • Contact
  • About Jessica
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies

    By: Jessica · Posted: Oct 17, 2022 · Updated: Dec 10, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe 3 comments
    5 from 3 votes
    Image collage of Rudolph cake mix cookies

    Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies: You will love these chewy fudgy chocolate cookies (that start with a cake mix!) that are decorated to look like adorably festive reindeer faces!

    A round white plate holds 6 round chocolate cookies that have been decorated to look like reindeer faces

     

    Desserts at Christmas are a non-negotiable for me (Calories don’t count at this time of year, right?!) and seeing these cookies on a cookie tray with these pecan snowball cookies, is one of my favorite sights to see during Christmas!

    This Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cake is a show stopper, and this sweet Christmas Tree Cake Dip is perfect for any holiday party.

    Not to mention these pretty Tree Forest Winter Cupcakes look like they are topped with snow-sprinkled Christmas trees, and these cute reindeer face cookies are the newest addition to our Christmas dessert spread!

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    These cookies start with a chocolate cake mix! (Just like in our gooey butter chocolate cake mix cookies and these cake mix peanut butter cookies!)

    Cake mix cookies are so versatile! There is no fussy measuring, there are SO many flavor options and you probably already have all of the ingredients to make these cookies in your kitchen. We’ve made funfetti cake mix cookies, red velvet cake mix cookies, vanilla cake mix cookies, strawberry cake mix cookies, and even made a cookie from brownie mix!

    If you are looking for holiday treats for students, whether it is a cookie decorating party for the kids or a homeschool co-op activity, this is the perfect recipe. Each batch makes about 30 cookies and the decorations are simple to add for even little hands. (And honestly, crooked eyes and noses are pretty much the cutest things!)

    Do I need to even mention … chocolate! Each chewy cookie tastes like a brownie in cookie form. If you’re a chocoholic like I am, add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough for chocolate chocolate cake mix cookies!

    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Decorate Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies
    • Storage
    • More Fun Easy Christmas Cookies
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients

    With such simple ingredients, these Rudolph Reindeer Cake mix cookies are great to have on hand for the next snow day!

    Bowls of ingredients, butter, cream cheese and candy eyes are displayed on a white marble background
    Ingredients for easy Rudolph cookies
    • ½ cup (1 stick) of butter, softened
    • 8 oz. (1 block) of cream cheese, softened
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 large egg
    • One 15.25 oz. devil’s food cake mix
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 60 candy eyes
    • 30 red M&Ms for the reindeer noses
    • 60 mini pretzel twists for reindeer antlers
    • Icing or frosting to adhere the decorations

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredients, nutrition information and detailed recipe notes.

    Instructions

    We think Christmas cooking ideas (like cake mix cookies) shouldn’t be difficult. So, here are the step-by-step instructions with pictures to make this easy cookie!

    1. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
    2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth.
    3. Next, add the vanilla extract and egg and mix well to combine.
    A stick of butter and a block of cream cheese are shown in a large metal mixing bowl
    A light yellow creamy mixture is shown in a large metal mixing bowl
    1. Now, add the dry cake mix to the creamed mixture. Stir until well blended. The dough will be a little thick.
    A boxed chocolate cake mix has been added to a light yellow creamy mixture in a large metal mixing bowl
    Deep brown chocolate cookie dough is shown in a large metal mixing bowl
    1. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out the dough and form it into 1 inch balls.
    2. Drop each cookie dough ball into a ball of powdered sugar and roll it around to coat it.
    A metal cookie scoop is shown with a scoop of deep brown cookie dough
    A deep brown chocolate ball of cookie dough has been placed in a glass bowl of powdered sugar
    1. Next, place the sugar coated cookie dough balls on the lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
    2. Now, bake the cookies for 10-13 minutes. They should be baked through, but not too crispy.
    A metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds 12 ball of chocolate cookie dough that have been rolled in powdered sugar
    A metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds 12 baked chocolate cookies
    1. Allow the cookies to cool completely. Use icing or frosting to attach two mini pretzels to the top of each cookie for antlers. Add two candy eyes and a red M&M in the center of each cookie for Rudolph’s nose.
    A metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds 12 round chocolate cookies in various stages of being decorated to look like reindeer
    Adorable reindeer faces
    1. Finally, let the cookies rest for about 5 minutes so the icing is set and enjoy!
    A black mesh cooling rack holds 12 round chocolate cookies that have been decorated to look like reindeer faces
    Rudolph Reindeer Christmas Cookies

    Whether you’re making just Rudolph or the whole reindeer gang, here are a few way to change up this recipe to suit your family and get creative!

    Substitutions

    • We used full fat cream cheese for this cake mix cookie recipe, but you can use reduced fat cream cheese.
    • Any 15.25 oz. chocolate cake mix will work in this recipe for reindeer face cookies. Grab an extra chocolate cake mix to make these Rocky Road Cookies for fun too!
    • While we love classic vanilla extract, you could use almond extract or even peppermint extract for a mint chocolate cake mix cookie. Peppermint extract is pretty strong, so we suggest reducing the amount of extract a bit.
    • You can add up to ½ cup of your favorite add-ins to this dough. Semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, toffee bits, crushed candy canes, cinnamon chips, crushed pretzels and toasted pecans are some of our favorites!

    Variations

    • Make reindeer sandwich cookies (reindeer whoopie pies) by covering one undecorated chocolate cake mix cookie with frosting and topping it with a reindeer face cookie. I think this is such a cute idea!
    • Another fun idea is to make reindeer sugar cookies. Just frost a sugar cookie with chocolate frosting and then add the antlers, eyes and nose. (You can use the same method to frost chocolate rice krispie treats for reindeer rice krispie treats.)
    • Make each reindeer cookie into a fun cookie pop! While the cookies are still warm, slide a lollipop stick or popsicle stick into the cookies. (Press the warm cookie around the stick if necessary to keep it stable.) Decorate and enjoy!
    A single round chocolate cookie decorated to look like a reindeer face is leaning against a bottle full of milk
    Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

    Decorate Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies

    Aren’t these the cutest Christmas cookies?! They are so simple to decorate as described in the original recipe, but here are some alternatives for some of the ingredients we used.

    • Instead of candy eyes, you can use white chocolate chips or white M&Ms. Or, use white frosting in a piping bag to pipe on white eyes.
    • You can use a cinnamon red hot candy or small pieces of maraschino cherries for Rudolph’s nose if you prefer that to a red M&M. If you have leftover red hot candies, save them to make this Christmas Chex Mix with them!
    • A brown m&m will make the perfect nose for Dasher and Dancer and all of the other reindeer.
    • Use standard sized pretzel twists for larger pretzel antlers.

    I’m pretty sure if you leave these Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies out on Christmas Eve, it will guarantee you a spot on Santa’s nice list!

    A birdseye photo of several round white plates holding round chocolate cookies that have been decorated to look like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
    Super cute cookies

    Storage

    How long do homemade cookies stay fresh? These cookies, like most homemade cookies, will stay fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

    To freeze these reindeer cookies, let them set and place them in a plastic freezer bag or airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

    A close up photo of a white plate holding several round chocolate cookies that have been decorated to look like reindeer faces
    Fun Christmas Cookies

    More Fun Easy Christmas Cookies

    Get those cookie jars and cookie trays ready! Here are some simple Christmas cookie recipes the whole family will enjoy: nostalgic Cornflake Wreaths, classic Cut Out Sugar Cookies, the BEST no bake cookies and these adorable Christmas Gingerbread Cookies. Happy cookie making!

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Round chocolate cookies have been decorated with candy eyes, a red candy and small pretzel twists to look like reindeer

    Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies

    Jessica Burgess
    Rudolph Reindeer Cake Mix Cookies: Chewy fudgy chocolate cookies (that start with a cake mix!) are decorated to look like charming reindeer faces.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 13 minutes mins
    Total Time 23 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 30 cookies
    Calories 138 kcal

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup butter softened (1 stick)
    • 8 oz cream cheese softened (1 block)
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 15.25 oz devil's food cake mix
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 60 candy eyes
    • 30 red M&Ms
    • 60 mini pretzel twists
    • icing

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
    • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy.
    • Next, add the vanilla extract and egg and mix well to combine.
    • Now, add the dry cake mix to the creamed mixture. Stir until well blended. The dough will be a little thick.
    • Using a cookie scooper, scoop out the dough and form it into 1 inch balls.
    • Drop each cookie dough ball in a bowl of powdered sugar and roll it around to coat it.
    • Place the sugar coated cookie dough balls on the lined baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
    • Now, bake the cookies for about 10-13 minutes.
    • Allow the cookies to cool completely. Use icing or frosting to attach two pretzel twists to the top of each cookie for antlers. Add two candy eyes and a red M&M for the reindeer nose.
    • Finally, let the cookies rest for about 5 minutes so the icing is set and enjoy!

    Notes

    • You can use chocolate chips for the eyes if you can’t find the candy eyes.
    • Cinnamon red hot candies make a great alternate for the red reindeer noses.
    • Any 15.25 oz. chocolate cake mix can be used for this recipe.
    • You can make the dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
    • Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To freeze these cookies, place them in a ziploc bag or freezer safe airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw the cookies overnight and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 207IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords cake mix, cake mix cookies, Christmas cookies, Christmas dessert
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Easy Christmas Recipes & Entertaining

    • Three crepes on a plate filled with a cream cheese filling.
      Cream Cheese Filling For Crepes
    • Ham and cheese croissant bake serving being lifted out of baking dish.
      Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake
    • Mussels cooked in white wine and garlic sauce, stacked on plate, next to toasts.
      Mussels in White Wine Sauce
    • Spiral ham cooked in the slow cooker with pineapple.
      Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple
    Subscription Form

    Get 5 Days of Delicious & Easy Dinner Recipes!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 3 votes

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Jennifer says

      October 20, 2022 at 11:02 pm

      5 stars
      The CUTEST cookies!! So tasty and easy to make!!

      Reply
    2. Allyssa says

      October 20, 2022 at 7:23 am

      5 stars
      This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make cookies recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!

      Reply
    3. Jamie N. says

      October 19, 2022 at 11:55 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies are SO delicious! My kids love the reindeers!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Jessica Burgess of Fantabulosity, slicing an avocado.

    Hi, I'm Jessica! - Owner and Creator of the blog and brand, Fantabulosity.

    I’m here to teach you how to make quick and easy recipes, using simple ingredients, that your family will love.

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • Close-up of pinwheel sandwiches stacked on top of one another.
      Pinwheel Sandwiches
    • Chicken macaroni salad in a bowl.
      The BEST Chicken Macaroni Salad
    • Chicken salad with grapes and apples, sitting on bread.
      Chicken Salad with Grapes and Apples
    • Serving of banana pudding on small plate.
      Quick & Easy Banana Pudding

    Popular Recipes

    • bread pudding in baking dish
      Bread Pudding Recipe: Easy Old Fashioned Recipe (With Video!)
    • Burger baked in the oven, steamed in aluminum foil, and placed on white plate.
      Burgers in the Oven
    • Oven Baked Steak with Butter and a side of potatoes
      How to Cook Steak in the Oven
    • Strawberry brownies on white marble cutting board.
      Strawberry Brownies Recipe
    • Cheeseburger Sliders
      Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
    • Baked BBQ Pork Steaks on white plate
      Pork Steaks in the Oven

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Featured In

    About

    • About Jessica
    • Contact
    • Collaborate
    • 5 Days of Delicious Dinners

    Easy Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts

    How to Cook

    • Oven-Baked
    • Stove-Top
    • No Bake
    • Slow Cooker

    Privacy Policy |Accessibility Copyright © 2025 Fantabulosity | Terms & Conditions | FTC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.