How to Make Rudolph Pudding Cups for Christmas

Make Rudolph Pudding Cups with just 4 ingredients! This easy red-nosed reindeer snack takes 5 minutes and is perfect for busy holiday parties and class treats.

Okay, friend, I have the cutest holiday snack for you! 🦌 These Rudolph Pudding Cups come together in about five minutes. Plus, you only need four simple things from the store. My kids squealed the first time they saw them, and honestly? So did I.

What Is This Reindeer Snack?

Basically, it’s a chocolate pudding cup dressed up like everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer. You add pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a shiny red nose. That’s it!

There’s no baking and no mess. Also, there’s no stress, which is exactly what we need in December, right? 🎄

These no-bake Christmas treats work great for little hands, too. My youngest loves to “build” the faces himself. Meanwhile, I get to sip my hot cocoa while it’s still hot. Win-win!

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What You’ll Need

Here’s your short and sweet shopping list. This batch makes 4 reindeer, but you can easily double it.

• 4 chocolate snack pack pudding cups (3.25 oz each)
• 8 mini pretzel twists
• 8 candy eyes
• 4 red M&M candies

Of course, you can grab a bigger pack of pudding if you’re feeding a whole crowd. Just keep the ratio the same. For every cup, you need two pretzels, two eyes, and one red nose.

Shop for everything you need to make these adorable reindeer treats by clicking the images below to learn more:

How to Make Rudolph Pudding Cups

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: none! Total time: 5 minutes Makes: 4 reindeer cups

Watch the video below or follow the steps to make your own pudding cups.

Step 1: Open the Cups

First, peel back the lids on your chocolate pudding cups. Wipe off any pudding on the rim so your reindeer look neat and tidy.

Step 2: Add the Antlers

Next, gently press two mini pretzel twists into the top edge of each cup. Angle them out a little, like real antlers. Push them slightly into the pudding so they stand up.

Step 3: Give Them Eyes

Then, place two candy eyes near the top of the pudding. Set them a little below the antlers. Don’t worry about perfect spacing. Silly reindeer are the best reindeer! 👀

Step 4: Add That Famous Nose

Finally, press one red M&M into the middle, just below the eyes. And just like that, Rudolph is ready to guide the sleigh! ❤️

Quick tip: add the pretzels right before serving. Otherwise, they can get soft after an hour or so.

Where to Take These Festive Treats

These little guys travel so well! Here are a few of my favorite spots to bring them:

• Christmas class parties. Teachers love snacks that come already portioned. Each kid gets their own cup and a spoon. Done!
• Holiday movie nights. Pair them with your favorite Christmas movie and some cozy blankets. 🍿
• Cookie exchanges. Bring them as a fun break from all the sugar cookies.
• Lunchbox surprises. Tuck the candy pieces in a little baggie so your kiddo can build Rudolph at lunch.
• Family gatherings. Set up a reindeer snack station and let the cousins decorate their own.

In fact, these make a great kids’ Christmas activity all on their own. It’s craft time and snack time rolled into one!

Fun Variations to Try

Want to switch things up? Here are some easy twists on this easy holiday snack.

Use a Different Pudding

Try vanilla, butterscotch, or even chocolate fudge pudding. Additionally, a vanilla cup makes a fun “snowy” reindeer.

Swap the Nose

No red M&Ms? No problem! Instead, use a red Sixlet, a cinnamon candy, or a cherry Skittle. A maraschino cherry works, too.

Make Pretzel Antlers Bigger

For a dramatic look, use regular-size pretzel twists. Similarly, broken candy canes make sweet, minty antlers.

Add Some Crunch

Sprinkle crushed Oreos on top for “dirt.” Then, add your reindeer face on top. It’s like a cookies-and-cream reindeer!

Can You Make These Ahead?

Yes, mostly! You can prep the pudding cups and keep them in the fridge until party time. Store-bought pudding cups also last for months in the pantry, so stock up early.

However, wait to add the toppings. Pretzels soak up moisture and get soggy. Candy eyes can also bleed a little color.

So here’s my trick. I pack the pretzels, eyes, and red candies in small zip-top bags. Then, I decorate the cups right before serving. It takes two minutes, tops.

Leftover decorated cups? Cover them and keep them in the fridge. Just eat them within a day for the best crunch.

Rudolph Pudding Cups FAQs

Do I need to refrigerate snack pack pudding?

Most shelf-stable snack pack cups don’t need the fridge until you open them. But cold pudding tastes better, you know? So I chill mine for an hour first.

Where can I find candy eyes?

You can find them in the baking aisle at most grocery stores. Craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby also carry them in many sizes. I’ve also found them on Amazon.

How do I keep the antlers from falling over?

Push the pretzels a little deeper into the pudding. Cold pudding also holds them up better than room-temp pudding. Another trick? Snap a tiny bit off the bottom so they sit lower.

Are these good for toddlers?

They can be! Just keep an eye on little ones with the candy eyes and pretzels. For tiny kids, skip the hard candies and use a raspberry for the nose.

Let’s Wrap It Up!

All in all, Rudolph Pudding Cups are proof that holiday magic doesn’t have to be hard. With just four ingredients and five minutes, you can make a snack your kids will talk about all season.

So grab some pudding cups and get building! Then, don’t forget to save this post to your Christmas board on Pinterest so you can find it later. 📌

And hey, if you love quick, cute holiday ideas, join my email list! I’ll send you free printables, easy recipes, and seasonal fun right to your inbox. Trust me, you’ll want to be on Santa’s nice list for this one. 🎁

More Reindeer Snack Ideas:

• Reindeer Crackers & Cheese
• Reindeer Sugar Cookies
• Reindeer Wafer Cookies
• Reindeer Cinnamon Rolls
• Reindeer Graham Cracker Snacks

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