Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies

Name: Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) salted butter, room temperature.; 3/4 cup brown sugar.; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.; 1 large egg, room temperature.; 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses.; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.; 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda.; 2 teaspoons ground ginger.; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.; 1 teaspoon salt.; 2 cups powdered sugar.; 2 tablespoons cocoa powder.; 2 teaspoons meringue powder (optional).; 1 tablespoon hazelnut liquor (optional).; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

Flipped gingerbread men into reindeer and they're adorable! Takes about 2 hours total. The vanilla chocolate icing makes perfect antlers while upside down legs become ears. Made them with my niece and she loved the transformation. Everyone smiles when they realize it's an upside down gingerbread man. Such a clever holiday twist that's actually easy.

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By Mina

Updated on Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:20:37 GMT

A plate of decorated gingerbread cookies shaped like reindeer, featuring white icing and colorful embellishments, is set against a festive background. | lastminrecipes.com

Let me share my recipe for upside down gingerbread reindeer cookies that always bring smiles to holiday gatherings. These charming cookies transform traditional gingerbread men into playful reindeer with just a simple flip. The combination of warm spices sweet molasses and creamy chocolate icing creates treats that taste as delightful as they look.

Pure Holiday Magic

These gingerbread reindeer cookies have become our family's favorite holiday tradition. The kids love helping decorate them and the simple twist of turning them upside down adds such whimsy to our cookie platters. That moment when someone realizes they're looking at upside-down gingerbread men always brings joy to our gatherings.

What You'll Need

Butter: 12 tablespoons perfectly softened.
Brown Sugar: 3/4 cup packed tight.
Vanilla: 2 teaspoons pure extract.
Egg: 1 large room temperature.
Molasses: 1/3 cup for richness.
Flour: 2 1/2 cups measured carefully.
Spices: Perfect blend of ginger and cinnamon.
Decorations: All the fun bits that make them special.

Let's Start Baking

Create Your Base: Mix those ingredients with love until perfectly combined.
Shape with Care: Roll and cut with attention to detail.
Bake to Perfection: Watch for that perfect golden edge.
Make It Pretty: Transform those cookies into adorable reindeer faces.
Add the Magic: Decorate with sweet details that bring them to life.

Success Secrets

The key to perfect gingerbread reindeer cookies is patience with the chilling steps. That extra time in the freezer helps them keep their shape while baking. And don't rush the decorating it's where all the personality comes through.

Make Them Your Own

Feel free to experiment with different spice combinations or decorating styles. Each reindeer can have its own personality through different expressions and details. The joy of these cookies is in making them unique.

Share the Love

These gingerbread reindeer cookies make wonderful gifts. Package them carefully in festive boxes or create DIY decorating kits. There's something special about sharing these whimsical treats with friends and family during the holidays.

A festive arrangement of gingerbread cookies shaped like reindeer, decorated with icing and set on a snowy surface. | lastminrecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why freeze the cookies before baking?: Freezing helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and prevents spreading, which is important for the reindeer design.
→ What's the purpose of meringue powder?: Meringue powder helps the icing harden properly, but it's optional. The icing will still work without it.
→ How long do these cookies keep?: Once the icing has hardened, the cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They make great gifts.
→ Can I skip the hazelnut liquor?: Yes, the hazelnut liquor in the icing is optional and can be omitted without affecting the recipe's success.
→ Why use salted butter?: Salted butter adds extra depth to the gingerbread flavor. If using unsalted butter, you may want to increase the salt slightly.

Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies

Creative holiday cookies that turn traditional gingerbread men upside down to create charming reindeer with icing antlers and decorative faces.

Prep Time

30 Minutes

Cook Time

15 Minutes

Total Time

45 Minutes

By: Mina

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 22 Servings (22 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) salted butter, room temperature.

02 3/4 cup brown sugar.

03 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

04 1 large egg, room temperature.

05 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses.

06 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.

07 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda.

08 2 teaspoons ground ginger.

09 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

10 1 teaspoon salt.

11 2 cups powdered sugar.

12 2 tablespoons cocoa powder.

13 2 teaspoons meringue powder (optional).

14 1 tablespoon hazelnut liquor (optional).

15 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Beat butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Add egg and molasses. Mix in flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and salt.

Step 03

Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness on floured parchment. Cut with gingerbread man cutter. Freeze 20 minutes.

Step 04

Bake cookies 10-13 minutes until just set.

Step 05

Mix powdered sugar, cocoa powder, meringue powder, liquor if using, vanilla, and water until drizzly.

Step 06

Turn cookies upside down. Pipe icing for reindeer face, antlers, and details. Add eyes and nose. Let dry 1 hour.

Notes

Great for holiday gifting.
Stores 3 days in airtight container.
Can omit optional ingredients.

Tools You'll Need

Baking sheets.
Parchment paper.
Gingerbread man cookie cutter.
Piping bags.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

Eggs.
Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Calories: 180
Total Fat: 7 g
Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
Protein: 2 g

Mina

Hi! I'm Mina, and I understand the challenge of getting good food on the table when time is tight. Through my own experiences juggling a busy schedule, I've mastered the art of creating quick yet delicious meals that don't compromise on flavor. At Last Minute Recipes, I share my time-saving techniques and speedy recipes that I've developed and tested in real-life. My mission is to help you make amazing meals even on your busiest days, proving that lack of time doesn't mean lack of taste!

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