Rounding out the holiday baking season, I was inspired to make these adorable melting reindeers by Living Locurto. One of my absolute favorite cookies is the soft peanut butter cookie topped fresh out of the oven with a Hershey's kiss, which slightly melts then is pressed into the cookie to secure it. These cookies are in the same spirit, but with Rolos instead and the dough is mini M&M.  The eyes are available by Wilton, the antlers are upside down Wilton gingerbread man candy sprinkles, and the nose is a red mini M&M.


Melting Rolo Reindeer

Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 small package instant vanilla pudding
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 package holiday day colored miniature M&M candies
  • 1 bag rolos
  • Gingerbread men and eyeball sprinkles (mentioned above)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. With an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugars and pudding mix until smooth and fluffy
3. Add vanilla and egg, beat until combined and smooth
4. Add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix until well combined
5. Add mini M&Ms and stir by hand or on low speed
6. Roll dough into 1" balls and place on a lined cookie sheet
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes
8. Unwrap the rolos while cookies are baking and prepare all toppings
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately top with 1 rolo
10. Add two eyeballs and red mini M&M, and gently press into the top of the softening rolo
11. Add two gingerbread men sprinkles head first into the top of the reindeer face
12. Gently press the mini M&M downwards, away from the eyeballs, if you want to make a more shapely nose
13. Let cool completely so that the chocolate hardens back up before storing or stacking