Nutter Butter Santa Cookies

It’s time for Christmas cookies to start flooding the internet. None will be cuter than these Nutter Butter Santa Cookies!

santa cookies with text overlay


 

It is public knowledge that I am terrible at decorating cakes, cookies and cupcakes so I am on a never ending hunt for ways to create professional looking baked goods that can be prepared by a shakey 2-year-old.

Because when someone comments about my lack of decor ability, I DO blame it on my 2-year-old. I have zero shame. I needed something as simple as my famous Horse Cookies. Which could probably be made into reindeer.

close up of no bake santa cookies

What You’ll Need

Gather these easy ingredients at the store to get started.

  • Nutter Butter Cookies – If someone doesn’t care of peanut butter or has an allergy, opt for Milano Cookies.
  • White Melting Chocolate- Almond bark or white melting chocolate are best. Straight chocolate chips won’t be smooth. If you are using plain white chocolate, add 1 teaspoon of vegetable shortening or butter to smooth it out for dipping.
  • Red chocolate melting wafers – These are ready to be melted, so they are perfect! You can use white chocolate, add the fat and then food coloring, but that takes a little more time.
  • Cinnamon candy imperials – I like the proportion of cinnamon candies versus red M&Ms or another red circle candy.
  • Candy eyes – Grab these online or at the store. They are fairly standard in the cooking/baking aisle.
  • Snowflake sprinkles – You don’t have to use these, but I think they are cute! Any festive sprinkle will do!
ingredients needed for making santa cookies

How to Make Santa Cookies

  1. Melt white chocolate in a double boiler according to package directions.
  2. Dip both ends of each Nutter Butter cookies in white chocolate, leaving some candy showing in the center (for Santa’s face).
dipping a cookie in white chocolate
  1. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Allow chocolate to set and harden by air drying or placing in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
nutter butters dipped in chocolate
  1. Next, melt red chocolate. Dip just the top in, leaving a little white strip for the brim of Santa’s hat.
melted red chocolate in a small bowl
red and white dipped chocolate on cookies
  1. Using tweezers, place a white snowflake on the side of the hat for embellishment.
  2. Next, attach candy eyes and the cinnamon imperial as the nose with a small dab of frosting or melted white chocolate.
close up of no bake santa cookies

Tips for Melting Chocolate

  • Skip the microwave and use a double boiler. The microwave just heats it too fast and too hot.
  • If you do need to use the microwave, use it at 50% power or defrost mode.
  • Don’t fully boil the water in your double boiler. Get it hot enough to melt the chocolate, but not to a rolling boil.
  • Put the top pot on with chocolate after the water has come to temperature.
  • Stir constantly while melting. It should only take a minute or so.
  • Use immediately and while shiny.
  • If chocolate gets too hot, it gets clumpy and matte.
  • You can try to revive it by adding 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening, but sometimes you are better off just starting over.

And if you have someone on your naughty list, you can make this vanilla flavored Black Fudge- the perfect Christmas Coal!

no bake santa cookies on burlap

Storage & Freezing

Storage: If that is the case and I don’t own a special chocolate covered items refrigerator, then where do I put them? Listen- they are fine in the fridge, just know that they might potentially sweat a little. They will still taste perfectly fine. But they can also be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. They will last longer, but everyday, will be a tad more stale.

Freezing: These cookies can be frozen ahead of time, but the chocolate has the tendency to crack while thawing.

close up of santa cookies

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I use cookie icing instead of melted chocolate? You can! It takes a little longer to set between coats, but it is surely easier to work with than melted chocolate.

Why does chocolate sweat? Chocolate sweats when the temperature changes too rapidly, the moisture release. Chocolate covered anything is best kept somewhere between refrigerated and room temperature.

Can I use milk chocolate? Sure! Use milk chocolate, dark chocolate or even semi-sweet chocolate. But obviously, you’ll lose the blue tint.

collage of no bake santa cookies

More Christmas Treats

This Christmas Dunkaroo Dip recipe is a quick, sweet and festive holiday dessert dip that the entire family will love. Ready in just a few minutes! #dunkaroodiprecipe #dessertdips #howtomakedunkaroodip www.savoryexperiments.com

Christmas Dunkaroo Dip

4.29 from 21 votes
Christmas Dunkaroo Dip is a sweet and easy dessert dip, make with box cake mix, whipped topping, Greek yogurt, and lots of festive sprinkles. A great last-minute Christmas recipe!
See The Recipe!
close up of peppermint sugar cookies

Peppermint Sugar Cookies

5 from 5 votes
With basic pantry ingredients and some crushed peppermint, you are on your to making these delicious and festive Peppermint Sugar Cookies!
See The Recipe!
Christmas Swirl Bundt Cake Recipe- You won't believe how easy it is to create this beautiful and festive vanilla flavored Christmas Swirl Bundt Cake!

Christmas Swirl Bundt Cake

4.50 from 30 votes
You won’t believe how easy it is to create this beautiful and festive vanilla flavored Christmas Swirl Bundt Cake!
See The Recipe!
chocolate oreo balls

Holiday Cookie Balls

4.77 from 17 votes
Holiday Sprinkled Oreo Cookie Balls are an easy no bake dessert perfect for the holiday season and great to make with kids. No cookie tray or party is complete without them!
See The Recipe!
close up of a no-bake santa cookie with green background
santa cookies close up

Santa Cookies

5 from 15 votes
If you're looking an an easy, no-bake Christmas cookie, check out my Nutter Butter Santa Cookies! They're super festive, and simple to make.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Drying Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 20

Instructions

  • Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler according to package directions.
  • Dip both ends of each Nutter Butter cookies in white chocolate, leaving some candy showing in the center (for Santa’s face).
  • Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Allow the chocolate to set and harden by air drying or placing in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
  • Next, melt the red chocolate. Dip just the top in, leaving a little white strip for the brim of Santa's hat.
  • Using tweezers, place a white snowflake on the side of the hat for embellishment.
  • Next, attach candy eyes and the cinnamon imperial as the nose with a small dab of frosting or melted white chocolate.
  • Allow to fully set before stacking or packaging.
  • If you've tried these cookies, come back and let us know how they were in the comments or star ratings!

Nutrition

Calories: 113 kcal, Carbohydrates: 15 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 3 mg, Sodium: 49 mg, Potassium: 69 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 11 g, Vitamin A: 3 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 36 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Calories: 113
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cookies for Santa, Nutter Butter Cookies, Santa Cookies
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

Join The Discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    I love this idea! first off nutter butters are the absolute best and this would be great to make with the kids..thanks for the ideas!

  2. 5 stars
    Thank you for this creative idea! My nieces and nephews will love it when they have these at our snack bar at our Christmas gathering!!

  3. 5 stars
    I am so not a baker so during the holiday season, I dread bringing something sweet (because it’s usually baked!). Not anymore! These are exactly what I was looking for! So cute and festive!

  4. 5 stars
    Baking and decorating holiday cookies is usually so labor intensive that I dread it, but these cookies look so easy and fun! Can’t wait to make them with my kids.

  5. 5 stars
    Love your great idea of making these cute Christmas cookies! Kids will adore them, no doubt:) Thanks for sharing. Pinning!