Santa’s Reindeer Strawberries (Chocolate Covered Recipe)

Reindeer Strawberries are a fun and festive holiday treat made with fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate and decorated with candy eyes, pretzel antlers, and a red candy nose. Quick, easy, and irresistibly cute, they add a cheerful touch to any festive spread.

If you’re looking for a Christmas treat that’s just as adorable as it is delicious, these reindeer strawberries with their bright red noses are about to become your new holiday favorite! They’re quick, kid-friendly, and the perfect mix of healthy and sweet — making them a total win for Christmas parties, class treats, your holiday table, or cozy movie nights at home.

With just a few simple decorations, those everyday berries transform into the cutest little herd of Rudolphs you’ve ever seen!

These charming treats pair perfectly with other Made in a Pinch holiday goodies like our Grinch Bundt Cake and melt-in-your-mouth Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Whether you’re putting together a festive dessert tray or surprising your family with a creative Christmas snack, these reindeer strawberries add that magical, whimsical touch everyone loves during the holiday season.

Plus, they’re so easy to make that kids can jump right in and help make them along with our fun Grinch Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Let’s dive in!

If you’re looking for easy and festive Christmas dessert recipes, try my Christmas Cake Popsicles (also known as Christmas Cakesicles) or Christmas Wreath Cupcakes.

Ingredients Needed

Here are the key simple ingredients needed to make these adorable strawberry reindeer. For full recipe details, please check out the handy recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Strawberries – washed and dried
• Chocolate Melting Wafers – light or dark chocolate
• M&M Candies – I recommend a red M&M, but you can use whatever color you like!
• Candy Eyeballs
• Pretzels – broken in half

How to Make Reindeer Strawberries

To make these cute reindeer chocolates, just follow these detailed instructions.

1. Prepare baking sheet – First, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make antlers – Break the pretzels in half directly down the center, top to bottom.
3. Melt the chocolate – Place the chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Begin microwaving for 30 seconds, then stir and continue heating for an additional 30 seconds, or until the chocolate is fully melted.
4. Dip strawberries – Leaving the stem on the strawberries, dip the berry into the melted chocolate, leaving a small section of the strawberry showing between the stem and the top of the chocolate.
5. Let the chocolate coating set – Place the dipped strawberry on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Decorate – Immediately add the candy eyes. Place the red M&M toward the bottom as the nose.
7. Repeat – Repeat the process by first dipping the strawberries in the chocolate, then adding the eyes, and finally adding the M&M until you have decorated all of the strawberries.
8. Add antlers – Once the chocolate has set, insert half of the pretzel on each side of the top of the strawberry, creating the antlers.

Reindeer Strawberries Notes And Expert Tips

• The strawberries must be completely dry before dipping them into the chocolate. If not, the moisture could cause the chocolate to seize and not set or become grainy in texture.

• The chocolate is going to dry and set very quickly, so it is important to follow the instructions and prepare one strawberry at a time. Or you can work with a helper to keep the process moving.

• You can use the double boiler method to melt the chocolate candy instead of the microwave.

• Don’t worry about how your pretzels look when you break them. The different sizes and shapes of your antlers will add charm and personality to your creations.

• PRO TIP: Make sure your bowl with chocolate is deep enough to dip the whole strawberry.

How To Serve Reindeer Strawberries

Christmas Party – Place on a holiday platter and serve at your family Christmas party or office party.

Gift Giving – Wrap these tasty reindeer in colorful cellophane and add a festive ribbon. Deliver to your neighbors and friends. They will enjoy these homemade treats made with love.

School Party – Kids love fruit, chocolate, and Santa’s reindeer. Need I say more! 😉

Variations Of Reindeer Strawberries To Try

• Remember those yummy cinnamon candies? They would be cute and yummy to use as a nose instead of a red M&M.

• Use different colored candy melts, such as white, green, or pink. Give your reindeer a little pizzazz!

• Sprinkle on a little red sanding sugar or colorful holiday red sprinkles (or chocolate sprinkles).

Make It Gluten-Free 

It is definitely possible to make these adorable treats gluten-free. There are a few things you need to be aware of. Some candy eyeballs are gluten-free, but most are not, so it is essential to check the label.

There are some great gluten-free pretzel options, so choose which brand you prefer the most.

Also, make sure the brand of chocolate candy melts is gluten-free. Whether chocolate candy melts are gluten-free depends on the brand and specific product.

Make It Dairy-Free

This one is a little trickier. You can find dairy-free candy melts and M&M’s. If you cannot find them in your local store, they are available online.

Now, believe it or not, the candy eyeballs are not considered gluten-free. There may be some brands that are so be sure to check the label to verify. You can also use a little spot of icing with a mini chocolate chip as a substitute.

Reindeer Strawberries Storage

Keep your reindeer in a container and cover with foil or plastic wrap. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry location. They will keep at room temperature for about a day.

If you need to store any leftovers for longer than that, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reindeer Strawberries FAQ

More Holiday Treat Recipes To Try

• Holiday DIY Movie Night Snack Tray
• Homemade Decadent Holiday Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
• Easy Festive Santa Buttercream Board For Christmas
• Festive Christmas Charcuterie Board (Easy How To)
• Easy Grinch Fudge (Fun Christmas Recipe For Kids)

Pin For Later!