These reindeer brownie bites might just be the cutest holiday little treat you’ll make all season! My little girl is almost 4 now and it feels like this is the first year that she’s really ‘got’ the fact that Santa is coming, and everything that involves. She loves chatting about Rudolph, so making these with her help was such a fun and memorable experience. I hope you’ll love making them with your little ones too!

They start with fudgy brownie mix baked into bite-sized cups, then get topped with a Reese’s miniature, pretzel “antlers”, and candy eyes and noses for the full reindeer effect. They’re simple enough to make with kids, but cute enough to steal the spotlight on any Christmas dessert table.

Best of all, we’re using box mix to keep things easy, and you don’t need fancy decorating skills or a full afternoon to pull these together.

Make sure that you also take a look at more of my Christmas bakes, including Santa hat cupcakes, red velvet cheesecake, Christmas tree cupcakes, cake batter Christmas cookies, and Christmas morning muffins!

Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make these adorable Reindeer brownie bites — ingredients, steps, and all the extra details. And if you’d rather save it for later, don’t worry — there’s a printable recipe card waiting for you at the bottom of the post. Add it to your holiday baking folder so you can easily find it when December rolls around again!

Brownie mix – Grab your favorite boxed mix (or homemade if you’re feeling extra). You’ll also need the ingredients listed on the box — usually water, oil, and eggs.
Reese’s Miniature Cups – These make the perfect reindeer faces and add a delicious peanut butter surprise in the center.
Pretzels – Break them carefully to create those adorable little antlers. You might need a few extras for backup… and snacking.
Candy eyeballs – For that wide-eyed, festive look that instantly says “holiday treat.”
Red or brown M&Ms – The finishing touch for each reindeer’s nose — red for Rudolph, brown for his backup crew.
Black cookie icing – Works like edible glue for attaching the eyes and nose, and it sets nicely once cooled.

How To Make Reindeer Brownie Bites

Bake the brownies: Prepare your brownie mix according to the box directions, then spoon the batter evenly into a 24-cup mini muffin tin. Bake at 350°F for 13–15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Add the Reese’s: Once baked, let the brownie bites cool for just a few minutes — you want them warm but not hot. Gently press an unwrapped Reese’s Miniature into the center of each brownie bite.
Assemble the reindeer: Carefully remove the brownie bites from the pan, then press two pretzel twists into each one to create little antlers.

Decorate: Use cookie icing to add two eyes and a red (or brown) candy nose — Rudolph or not, your choice!

Cool and serve: Let them cool completely so the decorations set. Then, serve and watch them disappear — they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.

Storage Tips

Store your reindeer brownie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days if you prefer them a little firmer.

If you’re making them ahead for a party, wait to add the pretzel antlers until the day you plan to serve, as they can soften a bit in the fridge.

These brownies also travel really well, making them perfect for classroom parties, cookie swaps, or gift tins. Just layer them between pieces of parchment paper so the decorations stay intact.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Breaking the pretzels: Twist gently instead of snapping — it helps create more natural, antler-like shapes (and fewer crumbs). Keep a few extras nearby because some will inevitably break or “shed”.
Timing is key: Press the Reese’s cups into the brownie bites while they’re still warm so they stick nicely without melting completely.
Easy decorating: Cookie icing works great for attaching the eyes and nose, but melted chocolate or peanut butter also gets the job done in a pinch.
Switch up the mix: Use your favorite brownie base — fudge-style, dark chocolate, or even peppermint for a festive twist.
Party prep tip: If you’re serving them at a holiday event, line them up on a platter so it looks like a whole herd of reindeer — instant centerpiece energy.

Serving Ideas

For parties: Arrange them on a large platter or wooden board with a little powdered sugar “snow” sprinkled around. It instantly looks like Santa’s sleigh crew ready for takeoff.
For gifting: Place a few in cellophane bags tied with red ribbon, and they make the cutest edible gifts for teachers, neighbors, or classmates.
For kids’ activities: Set up a decorating station with bowls of candy eyes, M&Ms, and pretzels so little ones can make their own reindeer. It’s messy, festive fun.
For dessert trays: Mix them in with sugar cookies, fudge, and peppermint bark — they add a playful touch that breaks up the usual cookie lineup.
For cozy nights in: Serve warm with a mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes. Pure holiday magic.

Print Recipe

Reindeer Brownie Bites

These reindeer brownie bites are as cute as they are delicious! Made with fudgy brownie mix, mini Reese’s cups, pretzel antlers, and candy decorations, they’re the perfect bite-sized treat for Christmas parties, cookie swaps, or baking with kids. Easy, festive, and guaranteed to steal the spotlight on any dessert table.

Prep Time20

Cook Time15

Total Time35

Course: Dessert

Servings:

Ingredients

1 16.3 oz. box of brownie mix, plus ingredients from the back (water, oil, eggs)
22 Reese's miniature cups
40 pretzels broken to create antlers
44 candy eyeballs
22 red or brown M&Ms
Black cookie icing

Instructions

Bake the brownies: Prepare your brownie mix according to the box directions, then spoon the batter evenly into a 24-cup mini muffin tin. Bake at 350°F for 13–15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Add the Reese’s: Once baked, let the brownie bites cool for just a few minutes — you want them warm but not hot. Gently press an unwrapped Reese’s Miniature into the center of each brownie bite.
Assemble the reindeer: Carefully remove the brownie bites from the pan, then press two pretzel twists into each one to create little antlers.
Decorate: Use cookie icing to add two eyes and a red (or brown) candy nose — Rudolph or not, your choice!
Cool and serve: Let them cool completely so the decorations set. Then, serve and watch them disappear — they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.

These reindeer brownie bites are proof that holiday baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. They’re fun, festive, and guaranteed to get a few “awws” before they get devoured. Whether you’re making them for a classroom party, a cookie swap, or just to spread a little cheer at home, they always bring smiles. And trust me, once you make them, they’ll earn a permanent spot on your yearly Christmas baking list!