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Rudolphs Red Nose Cookies

Rudolphs red nose cookies are cocoa cookies decorated with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a red candy nose. Chill the dough before baking for cookies with set edges and slightly soft centers.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
Chilling and cooling 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 19 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 195
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cookies
  • 2.25 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp fine salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.75 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 eggs large
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For decorating
  • 48 pretzel twists mini
  • 48 candy eyeballs
  • 24 red candy-coated chocolates

Equipment

  • 2 large rimmed baking sheets
  • 1 electric mixer

Method
 

Make the cookies
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  4. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy, about 2 minutes.
  5. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
  6. Add the flour mixture and mix on low just until no dry streaks remain.
  7. Scoop the dough into 24 portions, about 2 tablespoons each, and arrange 12 on each prepared baking sheet.
  8. Chill the sheets for 30 minutes.
  9. Bake one sheet at a time for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft.
Decorate the cookies
  1. Immediately press 2 pretzels into the upper edge of each cookie for antlers, then press in 2 candy eyeballs and 1 red candy-coated chocolate for the nose.
  2. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes.
  3. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For neatly shaped cookies, chill the baking sheets before baking. Store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; freezing is fine for up to 2 months. For a dairy-free variation, use dairy-free butter sticks and check that the decorating candies are dairy-free.