This easy and fun Animal Crackers recipe brings a touch of nostalgia with its crisp, buttery texture and sweet frosting. Perfect for kids and adults alike, these homemade treats are simple to make with pantry staples. Customize with different shapes and colors for a delightful snack that’s as fun to decorate as it is to eat!
Recipe Ingredients:
Dough:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 10 tablespoons salted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon whole milk
Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 5 drops red food coloring
How To Make Animal Crackers?
- Prepare the Dough: Add the granulated sugar and butter to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and egg, then beat again, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose (plain) flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients and the milk to the mixer, alternating between the two, until the dough comes together.
- Chill the Dough: Flatten the dough into a disc, place it in a plastic bag or wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C / 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Roll and Cut the Cookies: Roll out the dough to 6mm / ¼ inch thick and use animal-shaped cutters to cut out as many cookies as possible.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, just until set but not browned. Let them cool completely before decorating.
- Make the Frosting: Sift the powdered (icing) sugar into a bowl, then add the food colouring and cold water, stirring to combine.
- Decorate the Cookies: Place the cookies on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet and drizzle the frosting over them. Let the frosting dry completely, about 2 hours, before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Chill the Dough for Best Results : Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours before rolling it out. This makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Roll Dough Evenly : Keep the dough at an even ¼-inch (6mm) thickness to ensure all cookies bake evenly. Using rolling pin guides or placing dough between parchment sheets helps.
- Don’t Overbake : The cookies should be set but not browned. Baking too long will make them hard instead of crisp and light. Check at 8 minutes and remove them when the edges look firm.
- Use a Cooling Rack for Frosting : Place cookies on a rack over a baking tray before frosting. This prevents excess frosting from pooling and makes cleaning up easier.
- Let the Frosting Set Fully : Allow at least 2 hours for the frosting to dry before stacking or storing the cookies. This helps prevent smudging and keeps them looking perfect!
How To Store Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let the animal crackers cool completely to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you live in a humid area, you can refrigerate them to keep them crisp, but it’s not necessary.
- Freeze: Place the cooled cookies in a single layer inside a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes—no need to reheat.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories:70
- Total Fat:3g
- Saturated Fat:2g
- Cholesterol:10mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Potassium:20mg
- Total Carbohydrate:10g
- Dietary Fiber:0g
- Sugars: 5g
- Protein:1g
Check out More Recipes:
Animal Crackers
Description
This easy and fun Animal Crackers recipe brings a touch of nostalgia with its crisp, buttery texture and sweet frosting. Perfect for kids and adults alike, these homemade treats are simple to make with pantry staples. Customize with different shapes and colors for a delightful snack that’s as fun to decorate as it is to eat!
Ingredients
Dough:
Frosting:
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Add the granulated sugar and butter to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and egg, then beat again, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose (plain) flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients and the milk to the mixer, alternating between the two, until the dough comes together.
- Chill the Dough: Flatten the dough into a disc, place it in a plastic bag or wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C / 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Roll and Cut the Cookies: Roll out the dough to 6mm / ¼ inch thick and use animal-shaped cutters to cut out as many cookies as possible.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, just until set but not browned. Let them cool completely before decorating.
- Make the Frosting: Sift the powdered (icing) sugar into a bowl, then add the food colouring and cold water, stirring to combine.
- Decorate the Cookies: Place the cookies on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet and drizzle the frosting over them. Let the frosting dry completely, about 2 hours, before serving.
Notes
- Chill the Dough for Best Results : Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours before rolling it out. This makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Roll Dough Evenly : Keep the dough at an even ¼-inch (6mm) thickness to ensure all cookies bake evenly. Using rolling pin guides or placing dough between parchment sheets helps.
Don’t Overbake : The cookies should be set but not browned. Baking too long will make them hard instead of crisp and light. Check at 8 minutes and remove them when the edges look firm.
Use a Cooling Rack for Frosting : Place cookies on a rack over a baking tray before frosting. This prevents excess frosting from pooling and makes cleaning up easier.
Let the Frosting Set Fully : Allow at least 2 hours for the frosting to dry before stacking or storing the cookies. This helps prevent smudging and keeps them looking perfect!
Animal Crackers