Feastical

Santa Nutter Butter Cookies: Your New Favorite No-Bake Holiday Tradition!

Hey friends, Beau here from Feastical! Can you smell it? That magical time of year is upon us. The air is crisp, the holiday tunes are spinning, and my kitchen… well, my kitchen is officially in full-blown festive mode. I’m talking about sprinkles everywhere, the warm scent of gingerbread, and the joyful chaos that comes with creating edible happiness.

But I get it. Between shopping for gifts, decking the halls, and trying to remember where you stored all the holiday decorations, finding time to bake an elaborate batch of cookies can feel like a chore. And around here, we believe food should never, ever feel like a chore. That’s why I’m so ridiculously excited to share one of my all-time favorite holiday hacks with you: these absolutely adorable Santa Nutter Butter Cookies.

These little guys are the ultimate feel-good food project. They require zero baking, come together in under an hour, and are guaranteed to bring a smile to every single face that sees them. We’re taking the humble, deliciously peanut-buttery Nutter Butter cookie and giving it a full Santa makeover. With a little melted white chocolate, some festive sprinkles, and a whole lot of love, we’re creating a treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. So, grab your favorite apron, call the kids (or just embrace your inner kid), and let’s make some holiday magic together!

The Year the Elves Took Over My Kitchen

I have to confess, I didn’t invent this recipe. This little gem was a happy accident that stumbled into my life a few years back. My niece and nephew were visiting for the weekend, and we had promised to make Christmas cookies. I had grand plans for intricately decorated sugar cookies, but a last-minute plumbing issue left us with a kitchen that was, let’s just say, not fit for a baking marathon.

Panic started to set in. I had two very excited little chefs and zero oven. Then, I saw it: a lonely sleeve of Nutter Butters in the pantry, next to some leftover white chocolate from a previous project. A lightbulb went off. “What if…,” I thought. We melted the chocolate, dug out every red sprinkle and candy we could find, and in a flurry of giggles and sticky fingers, the very first Santa Nutter Butter was born. It was a little lopsided, with one eye bigger than the other, but the pure joy it inspired was absolutely perfect. That day, we learned that the best holiday traditions aren’t about perfection—they’re about the messy, happy, delicious moments we share.

Gathering Your Santa Squad: What You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You probably have a few of these items in your pantry already! Here’s your shopping list for 24 jolly little Santas.

• 24 Nutter Butter cookies – The star of the show! Their iconic peanut shape is the perfect base for Santa’s face and beard. Keep them sealed until you’re ready to decorate to ensure they stay crisp.
• 1½ cups white chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark – This is Santa’s fluffy white beard! I often use almond bark because it melts smoothly and sets up firmly, but high-quality white chocolate chips work beautifully too. Chef’s Insight: If using chocolate chips, a tiny teaspoon of coconut oil can help thin it for a perfect dipping consistency.
• Red sanding sugar or red sprinkles – This creates Santa’s iconic hat. Sanding sugar gives a vibrant, solid red look, while round sprinkles add a fun, textured sparkle. Feel free to use what you love!
• Mini chocolate chips – These are for Santa’s twinkling eyes. Their small size is just right for the scale of the cookie.
• Red M&M’s – The perfect, plump little nose for our festive friend. If you don’t have M&M’s, a red Sixlet or even a red sprinkle will work in a pinch!
• White chocolate chips or mini marshmallows – This is the fluffy pom-pom on the end of Santa’s hat! A white chocolate chip is cute, but a mini marshmallow cut in half gives a wonderfully textured, classic look.

Let’s Build Some Santas! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, team, this is where the fun begins. Clear a space on your counter, line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper, and let’s get our hands (a little bit) dirty. I’ll walk you through every step with a few of my favorite chef hacks to make this process a breeze.

1. Melt Your White Chocolate Like a Pro. Place your white chocolate or almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in the microwave on 50% power for 30-second intervals, stirring vigorously between each burst. Why 50% power? It prevents the chocolate from seizing up and becoming a grainy mess. You want it smooth and fluid. Chef’s Hack: If your chocolate is still a bit thick, stir in that ½ teaspoon of coconut oil I mentioned—it’s a game-changer.
2. The Dip & Drip Technique. Hold a Nutter Butter cookie by its edges. Carefully dip the TOP third of the cookie into the melted white chocolate, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Now, flip it and dip the BOTTOM third. The goal is to leave the middle section of the cookie untouched—this will be Santa’s lovely peanut-buttery face. Place the cookie on your prepared baking sheet.
3. Create the Festive Hat. Immediately, while the white chocolate on the TOP section is still wet, dip it straight into your bowl of red sanding sugar. Gently press it down to make sure you get a good, vibrant coating. This is Santa’s hat, so don’t be shy!
4. Add the Pom-Pom. Now, take your white chocolate chip or half of a mini marshmallow and gently press it onto the very tip of the red “hat” to create the fluffy pom-pom. Doing this while everything is still wet acts as its own edible glue.
5. Give Santa a Face. This is my favorite part—it’s when the personality shines through! Take two mini chocolate chips and press them point-side-down into the bare middle section of the cookie for the eyes. Then, take a red M&M and place it right in the center, just below the eyes, for his cheerful nose. Chef’s Tip: If your chocolate has started to set and the candies aren’t sticking, just dab a tiny, tiny bit of melted chocolate on the back of them to act as adhesive.
6. The Patience Game. Once all your Santas are assembled, let them sit at room temperature until the white chocolate is completely firm. This usually takes 15-20 minutes. You can pop the tray in the fridge to speed things up, but let them come back to room temperature before storing to prevent condensation.

Spreading the Holiday Cheer: How to Serve Your Santas

Presentation is part of the fun! You’ve just created a platoon of adorable edible Santas, so let’s show them off. I love arranging them on a simple white platter or a rustic wooden board—it really makes their red and white colors pop. For a real “wow” factor, create a scene! Place them on a bed of fluffy “snow” made from shredded coconut or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

These cookies are the life of any party. Pile them high on a cake stand for your holiday open house, pack them carefully in cellophane bags for a sweet teacher gift, or line them up on a plate for Santa on Christmas Eve (I have it on good authority they’re his favorite). They’re a guaranteed conversation starter and an instant mood-lifter. Seeing that row of jolly faces is like getting a warm hug from the North Pole itself.

Mix It Up! Fun Santa Nutter Butter Variations

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can customize it. Got a different candy craving? A dietary need? Let’s get creative!

• The Snowman Swap: Not feeling the Santa vibe? Turn them into snowmen! Dip the entire cookie in white chocolate, then use mini chocolate chips for a coal smile and eyes, and an orange sprinkle for the carrot nose.
• Reindeer Rendezvous: Create Rudolph! Use pretzel sticks for antlers, brown M&M’s for eyes, and a red M&M for his shiny nose. You can even use a little black icing to draw on a smile.
• Nut-Free Necessity: Have a nut allergy in the family? No problem! Several brands make peanut-shaped sandwich cookies with a sunflower butter or cookie butter filling. They work exactly the same way.
• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Swap the white chocolate for milk or dark chocolate for the beard! Use yellow M&M’s or butterscotch chips for the nose to create a “Gingerbread Santa” look.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Check your grocery store for gluten-free peanut-shaped sandwich cookies. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this an easy swap for everyone to enjoy.

A Few Chef’s Secrets from My Kitchen to Yours

Over the years, my Santa Nutter Butter assembly line has gotten a little more streamlined, but the spirit remains the same. I’ve learned to embrace the “imperfect” Santas—the one with a slightly crooked nose or one eye that’s winking. Those ones have the most character! One year, my dog managed to sneak one off the counter, and let me tell you, he was not sorry about it. We just made a new one and laughed it off. That’s what these cookies are all about: fun, not fuss. I always double the batch because, trust me, you’ll want to have extras for snacking, gifting, and those last-minute “I need a treat to bring!” moments. They’ve become a non-negotiable part of my holiday season, and I have a feeling they’re about to become one of yours, too.

Your Santa Cookie Questions, Answered!

Even the simplest recipes can have a hiccup or two. Here are answers to the most common questions I get about these festive treats.

• Q: My white chocolate is thick and clumpy! What did I do wrong?
  A: This is called “seizing,” and it usually happens if even a single drop of water gets into the chocolate, or if it’s overheated. To fix it, try stirring in a tiny bit of solid vegetable shortening (like Crisco) or coconut oil (about ½ tsp at a time) until it smooths out. Prevention is key: make sure your bowl and utensils are completely dry.
• Q: Can I use candy melts instead of white chocolate?
  A: Absolutely! Candy melts are designed for this kind of project. They come in a variety of colors, melt easily, and set up firmly. If you use them, you can skip the red sugar step and just use red candy melts for the hat portion.
• Q: How far in advance can I make these?
  A: They are best enjoyed within 3-5 days. Store them in a single layer in an airtight container at cool room temperature. I don’t recommend refrigerating them as it can cause the cookies to soften and the chocolate to “sweat.”
• Q: My decorations won’t stick! Help!
  A: The key is speed! You have to work quickly to add the sprinkles and face details before the initial chocolate dip sets. If you’re too slow, just keep a toothpick and a small dish of melted chocolate handy. Use it as edible glue to attach any stray eyes or noses.

Let’s Talk Ingredients & Dietary Info

While these are definitely a “sometimes food” meant for pure holiday joy, it’s always good to know what you’re enjoying. The main components are the Nutter Butter cookie (which contains enriched flour, peanut butter, sugar, and oils) and the white chocolate coating (primarily sugar, cocoa butter, and milk solids).

Because they are no-bake, you’re not altering the nutritional profile with heat. They are a treat rich in carbohydrates and sugars. As I mentioned in the variations, you can easily seek out nut-free or gluten-free base cookies to accommodate dietary needs. For a slightly lower sugar option, you could use a sugar-free vanilla almond bark for the coating. Remember, the spirit of Feastical is about joy and togetherness, so enjoy every bite without guilt!

Santa Nutter Butter Cookies : A Fun, Festive Holiday Treat

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• Author: BeauCollier

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Santa Nutter Butter Cookies: Your New Favorite No-Bake Holiday Treat!

Hey friends, Beau here from Feastical! The holidays are here, and you know what that means — cookies, cocoa, and cozy kitchen chaos. But between gift wrapping, decorating, and hunting for that one missing ornament hook, who has time to bake for hours?

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Ingredients

• 24 Nutter Butter cookies – The perfect peanut-shaped base

• 1½ cups white chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional, for smoother melting)

• Red sanding sugar or sprinkles – For Santa’s hat

• 24 red M&M’s – Santa’s nose

• 48 mini chocolate chips – Santa’s eyes

• 24 white chocolate chips or mini marshmallows (cut in half) – Pom-poms

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Instructions

1. Melt the Chocolate
   Place white chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth.

2. Dip for the Beard & Hat
   Hold a Nutter Butter by the edges. Dip the top third into the white chocolate (for Santa’s hat) and the bottom third (for the beard). Let excess drip off, leaving the center plain for the face.

3. Add the Hat Sparkle
   While the chocolate is still wet, dip the top section into red sanding sugar to make Santa’s hat.

4. Add the Pom-Pom
   Press a white chocolate chip or half marshmallow onto the tip of the hat.

5. Create Santa’s Face
   Press two mini chocolate chips for eyes and a red M&M for the nose. If they don’t stick, dab a little melted chocolate on the back as glue.

6. Let Them Set
   Place cookies on parchment paper. Let sit 20–30 minutes at room temperature (or 10–15 minutes in the fridge) until chocolate firms up.

Notes

• Thin chocolate with a bit of coconut oil or shortening if too thick.

• Work quickly so decorations stick before the chocolate hardens.

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.

• Display idea: Arrange on a platter with shredded coconut “snow” — it’s holiday magic!

Nutrition

• Calories: 140Cal Per Serving
• Sugar: 11 g
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Protein: 2 g

Your New Go-To Holiday Happy-Maker

And there you have it, my friends! From my Feastical kitchen to yours, the recipe for pure, unadulterated holiday fun. These Santa Nutter Butter Cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a memory-making activity, a simple kitchen project, and a guaranteed way to spread a little extra cheer this season.

I hope you have as much fun making them as I do. Remember, don’t stress about making them perfect. The messy ones, the lopsided ones, the ones your kids decorate with five eyes… those are often the most loved. That’s the real-life flavor I’m always talking about.

Final Thoughts: Your New Holiday Happy-Maker

And there you have it! From my Feastical kitchen to yours, the secret to a stress-free, joy-filled holiday treat. These Santa Nutter Butter Cookies are proof that the most magical moments don’t require a perfect recipe—just a willingness to have a little fun. So, embrace the sprinkles, laugh at the lopsided Santas, and savor the delicious memories you’re creating. I hope this simple project becomes a cherished part of your holiday season, bringing smiles and a taste of pure, uncomplicated joy for years to come.

Happy Holidays, everyone!