Reindeer Christmas Cookies For Dogs
Celebrate the magic of the season with these adorable Reindeer Christmas Cookies for dogs! Made with wholesome oat flour, naturally sweet applesauce, and a touch of cinnamon, these treats bring holiday cheer in every bite.
The best part? They’re decorated just like Rudolph, with bright cranberry noses and tiny blueberry eyes that make them almost too cute to eat. Whether you’re baking for your own pup or gifting a batch to furry friends, these charming reindeer cookies are a fun and easy way to share the Christmas spirit with your dog.
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Why Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
The oat flour gives them a soft, hearty bite, while the applesauce adds gentle sweetness without any added sugar. A hint of cinnamon brings a cosy holiday aroma dogs find irresistible, and the coconut oil helps create a tender cookie that’s easy to chew. Plus, the fruity pops of cranberry and blueberry on top make each treat extra enticing
The Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients make these fun homemade reindeer dog treats.
Oat Flour – A gentle, easily digestible grain that’s great for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Oats provide fiber to support healthy digestion and help keep your pup feeling full and satisfied.
Applesauce – Naturally sweet and full of antioxidants, applesauce adds moisture and flavor without added sugar. It also provides vitamins A and C, which support immune health.
Egg – A fantastic source of high-quality protein. Eggs give these treats structure while delivering essential amino acids and healthy fats that help maintain strong muscles and a shiny coat.
Coconut Oil – Known for its skin and coat benefits, coconut oil adds richness and healthy fats. It may also help support digestion and boost energy levels.
Cinnamon – Just a small amount brings warm, festive flavor. Cinnamon is dog-safe in moderation and may help support healthy circulation and has natural antioxidant properties. Omit this if your dog is sensitive to spices.
Cranberries (for the nose) – A fun, festive decoration that also offers antioxidants and vitamin C. Cranberries can help support urinary health when given sparingly.
Chopped Blueberries (for the eyes) – Tiny but mighty, blueberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that help support brain health and overall wellness in dogs.
How To Make Reindeer Christmas Cookies For Dogs
The trick to making a reindeer cookie shape is a gingerbread man cookie cutter! The cookies are turned upside down, with the head becoming the reindeer nose. You can decorate these as you prefer and if you have better piping skills than myself, perhaps antlers on the ears with a peanut butter mixture.
Mix all ingredients into a dough.
Cut out shapes with gingerbread man cookie cutters.
Bake until firm.
Spoon a small amount of peanut butter on the cookie.
Stick on a halved cranberry for the nose.
Sliced blueberries for the eyes.
Watch Us Made It
Recipe Tips
Here are some helpful recipe tips to make your Reindeer Christmas Cookies turn out perfectly:
Use cold dough for cleaner shapes – Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes before rolling it out. This makes it easier to cut neat reindeer shapes and helps the cookies hold their form while baking.
Roll to an even thickness – Aim for about ¼ inch thickness. Thicker cookies will be softer and chewier, while thinner ones will bake crispier.
Decorate before baking – We decorate after baking but you can press the cranberry nose and chopped blueberry eyes into the dough before baking so they stay in place without needing any peanut butter.
Make them chewier (if your dog prefers softer treats) – Bake for a shorter time or slightly increase thickness. You can also store them in an airtight container with a slice of apple for a day to add softness naturally.
Make them crunchier – Bake them a few minutes longer, then turn off the oven and let the cookies cool inside with the door slightly ajar. This helps them dry out and become crisp.
Customize the decorations – If your dog can’t have cranberries, swap the nose for a tiny piece of freeze-dried strawberry or dried apple.
Substitution Suggestions
| Ingredient | Substitution Options | Notes |
|---|
| Oat Flour | Whole wheat flour, brown rice flour | Add a little extra applesauce if using whole wheat and dough feels dry. |
| Applesauce | Mashed banana, pumpkin purée, pear purée | Use unsweetened only. Each option adds a slightly different flavor. |
| Egg | Flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water), ¾ mashed banana | Banana will make the cookies slightly sweeter and softer. |
| Coconut Oil | Olive oil, melted butter, extra applesauce | If skipping oil, increase applesauce slightly for moisture. |
| Cinnamon | Tiny pinch of ginger, or omit completely | Good for dogs that are sensitive to spices. |
| Cranberry (nose) | Freeze-dried strawberry piece, dried apple chunk, mashed beetroot dot | Keep pieces small to help them stick during baking. |
| Blueberries (eyes) | Carob chips, diced blackberries, freeze-dried blueberries | Carob chips add a fun chocolate-like look but are dog-safe. |
Storage Tips
Room Temperature
Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If you made softer, chewier cookies, they may only last 3–4 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Refrigerator
If you want them to stay fresh longer, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 10 days. This is especially helpful if your decorations include fresh cranberries or blueberries.
Freezer
These cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking, especially if they’re slightly soft.
Thawing
Thaw at room temperature for 10–15 minutes, or serve slightly chilled for a firmer treat your dog may enjoy.
Gift Storage
If gifting, remind recipients to refrigerate or freeze leftovers since the decorations contain fresh fruit.
Homemade Dog Treats for Christmas
Bake holiday treats for your furry friend at Christmas with these other recipes:
Reindeer Christmas Cookies For Dogs
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Ingredients
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1/2 cup apple sauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon optional
Decorations
- 8 cranberries, cut into halves. for the nose
- 4 blueberries, cut into small pieces. for the eyes
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter dog friendly, no xylitol
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl add the oat flour and cinnamon. Mix.
- Add the applesauce, egg, and melted coconut oil. Mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels sticky, add a little more oat flour.
- (Optional) Refrigerate the dough for 20–30 minutes to make it easier to roll and cut into shapes.
- Lightly flour your surface with oat flour and roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness, or roll the dough out in between two layers of parchment paper.
- Cut out shapes using a gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden around the edges.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Decorations
- Either before baking – Press one cranberry into each cookie for the nose and place two small pieces of chopped blueberry for the eyes.
- After baking – Spoon a small amount of dog friendly peanut butter on the nose and eye area of the Reindeer. Place the cranberry on the nose and the blueberry pieces on for the eyes.
- Serve for a festive treat!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.