Nutter Butter Reindeer and Reindeer Poop

As I was growing up, I saw my mom make dozen of different Christmas cookies.  One of my (many) favorites is chocolate dipped Nutter Butters!  Through the power of Pinterest, I have seen the dipped Nutter Butter evolve into all manner of holiday character, so this year I decided to take my little Nutter Butters and make them into cute little reindeer!

This was also a very fun opportunity for my son to help in the kitchen!  He helped me by sorting through the M&M’s for the red ones.  He also put the M&M’s on the cookies and the eyes on the reindeer.  It is always fun to have my little mini foodie working by my side

Oh, and if you have some extra chocolate left over, dip some caramels (I bought mine - I just love the ones from Kraft!) and sprinkle with a little sea salt.  Or dip the little pretzel remnants that are too small to be antlers--you can make the little ones snicker by calling it Reindeer Poop!

Recipe Notes:

*It is fun to let kids help by sorting through the M&M’s for the red ones.  Kids also love to put the antlers, noses, and eyes on the reindeer!

*I broke up some holiday shaped pretzels for my antlers.  They were all different shapes that I thought added a bit of whimsy to the reindeer.  However, you can also use pretzels stick or cut mini pretzels for more uniform antlers.

Nutter Butter Reindeer

Inspired by Pinterest

Nutter Butters (I used about ¾ of a package)

½ cup pretzels, broken

Red M&M’s

White royal icing

Mini chocolate chips

8 oz semi sweet chocolate

Line cookie sheets with waxed paper and melt the chocolate in the microwave or double boiler. 

Dip each Nutter Butter in the chocolate until coated, draining off excess chocolate with a fork.  Set the coated cookies onto the prepared sheets.  Working quickly, add 2 pretzels for antlers and an M&M for a nose.  Set aside until the chocolate is cooled.

Once the chocolate is set, pipe two white circles for the eyes.  Add a mini chocolate chip in the center for pupils.  Once the icing is dry, stack the cookies in a lidded container for storage.

Enjoy!

YAmy