Santa Nutter Butter Cookies are a cheerful and easy holiday treat. These cookies turn a classic Nutter Butter into Santa’s face with a few simple ingredients and festive decorations. They’re quick to make and add a fun, homemade touch to your holiday celebrations. If you are hosting a party or looking for edible gift ideas, these cookies are a fantastic option. Making treats with the kids? These Santa cookies are part of my Easy Christmas Desserts collection.

Santa Nutter Butters by Tessie's Table. — Photo Credit: Tessie’s Table

This recipe is all about simplicity and holiday cheer. Using Nutter Butter cookies as a base means you don’t have to bake a thing. They’re customizable with easy-to-find toppings and are a hit at parties, cookie swaps, or even as edible gifts. Best of all, you don’t need to be a professional baker to make these look amazing.

Why you’ll love this Santa Nutter Butter Cookies

So Simple, So Fun:
No baking, minimal mess, and quick decorating make this a stress-free holiday recipe.
Adorable Appeal:
These cookies are festive, cute, and bound to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Customizable for Any Theme:
While Santa is the star, you can easily tweak this recipe to create other holiday characters.

Lots of Santa Nutter Butters on a white plate.

Holy Jolly Decorating Spree!

The first time I whipped these up, I thought I’d just make a few for fun. Before I knew it, I had a whole Santa squad ready to take over the dessert table. There’s something oddly satisfying about dipping and decorating—and, let’s be honest, sneaking a few bites along the way. These cookies are your perfect excuse to channel your inner cookie artist!

Ingredients Needed for Santa Nutter Butter Cookies

Nutter Butter Cookies: These are the perfect base for Santa’s face, with their cute peanut shape and delicious flavor.
White Almond Bark: Melts smoothly and hardens quickly, making it ideal for dipping and decorating.
Red Mini M&M’s: These are just the right size for Santa’s bright red nose.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Perfect for adding Santa’s eyes with minimal effort.
White Chocolate Chips: These make the cutest pom-poms for Santa’s hat.
Red Sanding Sugar: Adds sparkle and color to Santa’s festive hat.

How to make Santa Nutter Butter Cookies

**For more detailed instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card below.**

Nutter Butter after dipping in almond bark to create Santa's beard.

Melt almond bark and dip half the cookie. Add a red M&M for the nose and let it set.

Nutter Butter after being dipped into Almond bark and rend sugar to create santa's beard and red hat.

Dip the other end in almond bark, coat with red sugar, and add a white chocolate chip for the pom-pom.

Fully decorated Santa Nutter Butters with hats, eyes and nose.

Use almond bark to attach mini chocolate chips for the eyes.

Variations

Frosty Snowmen: Use white sanding sugar instead of red and an orange M&M for a carrot nose.
Grinch Cookies: Replace red sanding sugar with green, and skip the pom-pom for a Grinch-inspired treat.
Reindeer Fun: Skip the hat and use pretzels for antlers. Add a bright red nose for Rudolph!
Peppermint Santas: Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the red sanding sugar for a minty twist.
Chocolate-Dipped Santa: Use milk or dark chocolate for a richer, less sweet version of Santa.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday Cookie Trays: Add these cookies to a dessert platter alongside Coconut Fudge, Butterscotch Pecan Fudge, No-bake Maple Pecan Cookies, and Cherry Pie Cookies for a festive spread.
Edible Gifts: Wrap them in clear cellophane with red and green ribbons for a thoughtful homemade present.
Movie Night Treats: Serve them with mugs of hot chocolate while you binge your favorite Christmas movies.
Party Favors: Hand them out individually wrapped at holiday gatherings for guests to take home.
Office Treats: Bring a batch to work and watch your coworkers’ faces light up when they see these adorable creations.

Storage and Freezing

How should I store Santa Nutter Butter Cookies?

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Place parchment paper between layers to keep the decorations intact.

Can I freeze Santa Nutter Butter Cookies?

Arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag, layering with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

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Lots of Santa Nutter Butters on a white wooden table.

Tips & Tricks

Keep Chocolate Smooth: Work in small batches to keep the almond bark warm and easy to use. Reheat as needed.
Use Parchment Paper: This keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Decorate Quickly: Have all your toppings ready before you start dipping to avoid the chocolate setting before you’re done.
Shake Off Excess Chocolate: After dipping, gently shake the cookie to remove any extra almond bark for a cleaner finish.
Let Layers Set Fully: Make sure each layer is completely hardened before adding the next decoration to keep everything neat and secure.

More Fun Treats

FAQ

Can I use white chocolate instead of almond bark?
Yes, you can! White chocolate works well, but it doesn’t harden as quickly as almond bark, which can make decorating trickier. To help it set more firmly, you can mix in a small amount of coconut oil when melting the white chocolate. This will give it a smoother texture and help it solidify faster once applied.
What can I do if I can’t find red sanding sugar?
No problem! You can crush red hard candies, like peppermints or red lollipops, to create a similar texture and color. Alternatively, regular granulated sugar can be dyed red with a few drops of food coloring and left to dry before using. Both options will still look festive and work perfectly.
How can I keep the almond bark from hardening too quickly?
If you’re working slowly or in a cold kitchen, almond bark can set faster than you’d like. To keep it warm and smooth, work in smaller batches and reheat it as needed. You can also place the bowl of melted almond bark over a pot of warm water to maintain a good dipping consistency.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cookies are perfect for making ahead. You can prepare them a few days in advance, and they’ll stay fresh as long as they’re stored properly. Just keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll be ready whenever you need them.
Are there any nut-free alternatives to Nutter Butter cookies?
Yes! If you’re making these for someone with a nut allergy, swap the Nutter Butters for nut-free sandwich cookies like Oreos. They’ll still have a great shape for Santa’s face and can be decorated in exactly the same way.
What’s the easiest way to coat the cookies evenly?
Use a fork or dipping tool to lower the cookie into the melted almond bark. Tap the fork gently on the edge of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate. This will help you get a smooth, even coating without drips or clumps.
Can I add food coloring to almond bark?
Yes, but only if you use oil-based food coloring. Regular water-based food coloring can cause the almond bark to seize, making it clumpy and unusable. If you want to tint the bark, look for food coloring specifically labeled as oil-based.
How do I make sure the decorations stick properly?
The key is to attach the decorations while the almond bark is still wet. Once you’ve dipped the cookie, work quickly to press the M&M, sanding sugar, or chocolate chips into place. Gently press them down to ensure they’re secure, but be careful not to smudge the coating.
Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of almond bark?
Yes, you can use milk or dark chocolate for dipping, but keep in mind that they won’t harden as quickly or as firmly as almond bark. If you choose this option, adding a small amount of coconut oil to the melted chocolate can help it set better.
What’s the best way to package these cookies for gifting?
Layer the cookies in a sturdy box with sheets of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking or smudging. You can also place them in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon. This keeps them looking neat and protects them from breaking during transport.