Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies A.K.A. Rudolphs Red Nose Cookies Recipe

The Sweetest Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies Recipe: Rudolph’s Red Nose Treat

Chocolate bon bon cookies bring whimsy and indulgence to your dessert table with their playful spirit.

Sweet memories dance through each bite of these delectable morsels crafted from rich cocoa and creamy ingredients.

The soft, fudge-like texture promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience that captures childhood delight.

Signature round shapes and vibrant decorations redefine ordinary cookies into festive little treasures.

Minimal ingredients guarantee quick preparation for spontaneous baking adventures.

Their irresistible charm stems from a perfect balance of chocolate intensity and subtle sweetness.

Your taste buds will thank you for creating these adorable, nostalgic treats.

The Fun Behind Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies aka Rudolph’s Red Nose Cookies

  • Whip Up Holiday Cheer: These chocolate bon bon cookies transform ordinary baking into a festive celebration with their adorable red-nosed design reminiscent of Rudolph's iconic look.
  • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Magic: Soft, smooth cookie dough creates a delicate texture that combines rich chocolate flavor with a light, tender crumb that practically dissolves on your tongue.
  • Quick and Easy Festive Treat: With just 30 minutes of chilling time and a simple 7-10 minute baking window, these cookies are perfect for busy holiday bakers who want maximum impact with minimal effort.
  • Customize Your Celebration: The versatile glazing technique allows for personal creativity, letting you add your own decorative touch while keeping the classic red M&M nose as the signature finishing detail.

What You’ll Need for Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies aka Rudolph’s Red Nose Cookies

Cookie Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The main structure and texture of the cookie, providing a tender and soft base.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookie and helps create a golden, crisp exterior.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides moisture to the dough.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet depth to the cookies overall flavor profile.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors in the cookie.
Decorative Topping:
  • Confectioners Sugar, Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, glossy glaze for coating the cookies.
  • Red M&M Candies: Provides a festive red color and playful decoration, mimicking Rudolphs red nose.

How to Bake Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies aka Rudolph’s Red Nose Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Cookie Dough

In a medium mixing bowl, blend all cookie dough ingredients using a mixer on medium speed until a soft, smooth dough forms. Shape the dough into a 3/4″ thick disc, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight for optimal texture.

Step 2: Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets

Set oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a teaspoon cookie scoop, roll chilled dough into small balls similar to large gumballs. Place balls 2″ apart on prepared sheets.

Step 3: Bake Cookies

Bake cookies in preheated oven for 7-10 minutes until edges turn light golden brown.

Step 4: Cool Cookies

Transfer cookies to wire racks and allow complete cooling before glazing.

Step 5: Create Glaze

Prepare glaze by whisking together:
  • Confectioners' sugar
  • Heavy cream

Beat until smooth and spreadable. Adjust consistency by adding liquid gradually.

Step 6: Decorate Cookies

Glaze cookies using one of these methods:
  • Pipe glaze using piping bag
  • Use zip-top bag with corner cut
  • Drizzle teaspoons of glaze and swirl gently

Top each cookie with a red M&M.

Step 7: Store Cookies

Keep cookies in airtight container for up to 1 week.

Simple Tips for Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies aka Rudolph’s Red Nose Cookies

  • Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and create a more compact, flavorful cookie.
  • Measure Precisely: Use a teaspoon cookie scoop for consistent ball sizes, ensuring even baking and professional-looking results.
  • Watch Baking Time Carefully: Check cookies at 7 minutes to avoid over-browning; they should be lightly golden around the edges with a soft center.
  • Glaze with Finesse: Adjust the glaze consistency by adding cream or sugar gradually, creating a smooth, spreadable texture that won't run off the cookies.
  • Decorative Touch

How to Store Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies aka Rudolph’s Red Nose Cookies for Freshness

  • Refrigeration Method: Store Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
  • Freezing Method: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months without compromising taste or texture.
  • Reheating Method: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. For a crisp texture, warm slightly in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to preserve their delicate glaze and soft cookie base.

What Tastes Best with Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies aka Rudolph’s Red Nose Cookies

  • Pair with Velvety Red Wine: Enhance the chocolate cookie's rich flavor by serving with a smooth, full-bodied red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, which complements the sweet and chocolatey notes perfectly.
  • Match with Creamy Vanilla Latte: The warm, smooth vanilla latte balances the cookie's intense chocolate taste, creating a delightful contrast that elevates the dessert experience and provides a comforting warmth.
  • Serve Alongside Raspberry Sorbet: The tangy, refreshing raspberry sorbet cuts through the cookie's sweetness, offering a light and zesty palate cleanser that brightens the overall dessert moment.
  • Complement with Spiced Chai Tea: The warm, aromatic spices in chai tea bring out the cookie's chocolate depth, creating a cozy and indulgent pairing that feels like a luxurious treat.

Creative Twists on Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies aka Rudolph’s Red Nose Cookies

  • Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Add chopped toasted almonds or pecans to the cookie dough for extra texture and a rich, nutty flavor profile that complements the chocolate base.
  • Holiday Mint Chocolate: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough and use green-colored M&Ms for a festive winter-themed cookie variation that feels fresh and exciting.
  • Salted Caramel Drizzle: Replace the white glaze with a caramel sauce and sprinkle sea salt on top to create a sophisticated sweet-and-salty combination that elevates the classic cookie recipe.
  • Espresso Chocolate Blast: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder into the dough to intensify the chocolate flavor and add a subtle coffee undertone that coffee lovers will appreciate.
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Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies A.K.A. Rudolphs Red Nose Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies A.K.A. Rudolphs Red Nose Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Chocolate bon bon cookies sparkle with festive charm, nestled with rich chocolate ganache and dusted in powdered sugar. Holiday bakers will love these delightful morsels that melt in your mouth and bring Christmas magic to any dessert table.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (preferably King Arthur Unbleached)
  • ¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa or Double-Dutch Dark Cocoa
  • 12 tablespoons (340 grams) softened butter

Cookie Enhancers and Flavoring:

  • 1 cup (120 grams) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of salt (about ¼ teaspoon)

Decoration and Frosting:

  • 2 to 3 cups (240 to 360 grams) sifted confectioners’ sugar for frosting
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons (30 to 60 milliliters) heavy cream (or half & half/milk)
  • Red peanut M&M’s

Instructions

  1. Blend all cookie dough ingredients in a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer until a cohesive, silky dough forms. Shape the dough into a 3/4-inch (1.9 centimeters) thick disc, encase tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or preferably overnight for optimal texture.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. Utilize a teaspoon-sized cookie scoop to create uniform dough balls approximately the size of large gumballs, positioning them 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart on the prepared sheets.
  3. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes until the edges develop a delicate golden hue and the surfaces appear lightly set.
  4. Transfer the baked cookies to wire cooling racks and allow them to cool completely at room temperature.
  5. Create the glaze by whisking of confectioners’ sugar with of heavy cream until a smooth, spreadable consistency is achieved. Adjust the texture by incrementally adding more cream or sugar as needed.
  6. Decorate the cooled cookies by either piping the glaze using a pastry bag or drizzling it with a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. Gently swirl the glaze to ensure even coverage.
  7. Crown each glazed cookie with a vibrant red M&M candy, pressing it lightly into the glaze to secure placement.
  8. Store the completed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will maintain freshness for up to one week.

Notes

  • Capture the holiday spirit with these festive, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate bon bon cookies that are as delightful as Rudolph’s shiny nose.
  • Chilling the dough is crucial for achieving the perfect texture, allowing the butter to solidify and preventing spread during baking.
  • Precision matters when creating these bite-sized treats, so use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform size and even baking.
  • Get creative with decorating by using different colored candies or sprinkles to match your holiday theme or personal style.
  • Make ahead and store these cookies for up to a week, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or last-minute sweet cravings.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 215 kcal
  • Sugar: 16g
  • Sodium: 82mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: <1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 31mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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