Adorable cookies add to the festive feel of the holidays

Food helps to set the festive atmosphere that has become synonymous with the holiday season. Celebrants asked to recall their fondest memories of the holiday season undoubtedly would point to nights spent surrounded by loved ones at the family dinner table, which serves as a testament to the unifying power of food during a special time of year.

Holiday hosts looking to food to set a festive tone can consider these “Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies” from Lines+Angles. These cookies are flavorful and the finished product is adorable, which can help celebrants feel even more festive during seasonal celebrations.

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

Makes 48 cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

11/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

48 large red M&M candies

96 mini semisweet chocolate chips

Pretzels, broken into 96 1-inch pieces

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat together butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, and place at least 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake only 10 to 12 cookies at a time. Refrigerate the bowl of dough in between batches. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, until the cookies are just set.

4. Immediately place one M&M in the center of each cookie for a nose (press down a bit if your cookies aren’t flat enough), 2 mini chocolate chips for the eyes, and 2 pretzel pieces at the top for antlers. Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.