Do you remember those little boxes of animal crackers from your childhood? Those tiny, cute animals that tasted just as good as they looked? Well, today we’re going to use them in a recipe for Animal Crackers Cookies!
For many of us, this is a trip down memory lane. I mean, who didn’t eat animal crackers when they were a kid? Animal Crackers Cookies are a great way to reminisce and make new memories all at once!
They’re cute, they’re delicious, and they’re my new mini obsession, haha. A while back I realized I’ve never made an animal crackers recipe before! Why not when they’re so delicious??
There are so many recipes out there with Oreos or nilla wafers or any other number of cookies. Not so much with animal crackers, though!
Let me just tell you that my daughter was seriously excited about this one. I could see it in her eyes. She saw the bags of animal crackers and just squealed and clapped her hands. Ha!
And don’t think I didn’t notice my hubby stealing animal crackers. “Hey! I’m baking with those!” I can’t blame him, though. They’re just plain tasty!
They’re sweet, soft, chewy, and crunchy all at once. And they’re absolutely stuffed with chunks of your favorite animal crackers. The more crackers you can fit into each cookie, the better!
If you’ve never had Animal Crackers Cookies, you’re not alone. Once you’ve tried them, though, you’ll want to keep this easy recipe for later. So, let’s dive right into it!
Some of our other favorite cookie recipes we have on our site include: Thick & Chewy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, Easy Cosmic Brownie Cookies, and Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Quick and Easy: With a prep time of just 5 minutes and a total time of 13 minutes, you’ll have sweet snacks ready in no time! I love it when an easy cookie recipe comes together!
- Perfect for Parties: Their adorable and colorful look makes them a hit at any birthday party or gathering. You could even scatter actual animal crackers around the platter to enhance the effect!
- Great for Little Hands: The kiddos can give a helping hand, especially when it’s time to place the animal cracker bits! Always remember to make memories whenever possible.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Softened butter
- Brown sugar
- Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Frosted animal crackers
HOW TO MAKE ANIMAL CRACKERS COOKIES:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F—line sheet trays with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, and sugar with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix together until combined.
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix to form the dough.
- Add in the sprinkles and fold the dough with a silicone spoon.
- Form 2 tablespoons of dough into a ball and place on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Break apart the animal crackers and add 2-3 bits to the tops of each cookie, slightly pressing into the dough.
- Bake for 8 minutes or until slightly golden. Let cool completely on the sheet tray, and enjoy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL CRACKERS ARE THE BEST TO USE?
The frosted animal crackers give the cookies a unique touch. I really like the colorful look and the extra sweetness of the frosting.
If you have a personal preference, though, or a nostalgic favorite like Barnum’s Animal Crackers, go for it!
HOW LONG DO THESE KEEP?
Stored in an airtight container, these delicious bites will stay fresh for 2-3 days on the counter.
Let’s be honest, though. These cookies will get gobbled up long before they go bad on the counter!
ANY ADDITIONS?
With cookies, there are always options. Check out this list. Let me know in the comments if you’ve got any great ideas of your own!
- White chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- A sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
- Rainbow nonpareils for more color.
- Chopped nuts for a crunchy twist.
- A hint of food coloring for themed cookies.
- Mini chocolate chips for tiny eyes.
- Drizzle with royal icing for added decor.
- Coconut flakes for texture.
- Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate.
- Add a touch of citrus zest for a zesty flavor!
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
You betcha! As always, I’ve got you covered here.
- Vegan butter for dairy-free cookies.
- Whole wheat flour for a slightly healthier touch.
- Coconut oil in place of butter for a tropical flavor.
- Less sugar or a sugar substitute if you’re watching your sugar intake.
HOW TO STORE:
Room Temp: Place the cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with pieces of parchment paper where they will keep for 3 days. They can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Freezer: Want to save some for later? These cookies freeze beautifully! Store them in an airtight container or a plastic bag for up to 3 months. It’s always nice to have some frozen cookies on hand that you can pull out on a whim!
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Always use room temperature butter for the best cookie dough consistency.
- Using a hand mixer ensures your wet ingredients mix smoothly.
- If the cookie dough feels too sticky, chill it wrapped in plastic wrap for about 30 minutes.
- Looking for uniform cookies? Use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to get even-sized dough balls.
- When placing animal cracker bits, press gently to ensure they stick but don’t push them too deep.
- Keep an eye on the cookies while baking. Every oven is different. Aim for a golden brown color, but don’t overbake!
Animal Cracker Cookies are a fun and yummy treat. They combine the charm of childhood favorites with the joy of baking, creating a treat that’s both visually delightful and irresistibly tasty.
Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just to relive some sweet memories, these cookies are sure to bring smiles all around. Remember, the best recipes are made with love, a sprinkle of fun, and maybe a helping hand from the little ones.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried these ANIMAL CRACKERS COOKIES, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Animal Crackers Cookies
Ingredients
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
- 8 frosted animal crackers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F—line sheet trays with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, and sugar with a hand mixer until smooth.7 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix together until combined.1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix to form the dough.1 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Add in the sprinkles and fold the dough with a silicone spoon.2 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
- Form 2 tablespoons of dough into a ball and place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Break apart the animal crackers and add 2-3 bits to the tops of each cookie, slightly pressing into the dough.8 frosted animal crackers
- Bake for 8 minutes or until slightly golden. Let cool completely on the sheet tray, and enjoy.
Notes
- Always use room temperature butter for the best cookie dough consistency.
- Using a hand mixer ensures your wet ingredients mix smoothly.
- If the cookie dough feels too sticky, chill it wrapped in plastic wrap for about 30 minutes.
- Looking for uniform cookies? Use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to get even-sized dough balls.
- When placing animal cracker bits, press gently to ensure they stick but don’t push them too deep.
- Keep an eye on the cookies while baking. Every oven is different. Aim for a golden brown color, but don’t overbake!
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