Chocolate Reindeer Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 1/4 tsps baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 3/4 cup butter, cubed

• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

• 2 tbsps water

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 tsp almond extract

• 1 16oz can chocolate frosting

• Candy eyes

• Reese’s mini white peanut butter cips

• Mini pretzels

• Peanut butter M&Ms

Directions

1. Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.

2. Place butter, brown sugar and water in a large saucepan; cook and stir over low heat until butter is melted.

3. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until smooth. Stir in eggs and extract. Stir in flour mixture. Let stand until firm enough to shape, about 15 minutes.

4. To freeze dough, shape level tablespoonfuls of dough into balls; flatten each to 1/4-in. thickness.

5. Place in a covered container, separating layers with waxed paper; freeze until firm. (May be frozen up to 3 months.)

6. To bake, preheat oven to 350°. Place frozen dough portions 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets.

7. Bake until set, 12-14 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely.

8. Spread cookies with frosting, reserving a small amount for mouths. Decorate faces with candy eyes; add peanut butter cups for snouts, pretzels for antlers and M&M's for noses. Pipe mouths with reserved frosting.

Adapted from Taste of Home