Animal Cookies
Learn how to make Animal Cookies for a sweet, nostalgic treat. These homemade animal crackers are low in sugar, have only 5 ingredients, and are made without honey so even babies can enjoy them!
Looking for other delicious dessert recipes? Check out my Chocolate Wacky Cake and Clementine Posset recipe next!
Homemade Animal Cookies
I could eat animal cookies by the handful as a kid. They were sweet and buttery with the perfect crunch. But now, we can enjoy this childhood favorite without the sugar rush! These cookies are a fun and tasty treat for all ages, with a hint of cinnamon and maple sweetness.
Why We Love This Recipe
Quick & Easy: There’s no chilling of the dough required, so these take less than 30 minutes from start to finish (and that includes the cooling time)!
Kid-Friendly: I love cooking with my toddler and with this recipe, he gets to be my little helper! From mixing the dough to making animal shapes with the cookie cutter, kids will love helping you make these fun animal crackers.
Healthier Snack: These cookies are naturally sweetened and not loaded with preservatives and additives like store-bought ones.
Versatile: You eat these as is, top them with frosting, or add them to other tasty treats. I used these as cupcake toppers for my son’s carnival-themed birthday party.
What's the difference between animal crackers and animal cookies?
While both are animal-shaped treats, there are a few subtle differences between animal crackers and animal cookies. Crackers tend to be less sweet, with a dense, crunchy consistency. They are also made with a layered dough. On the other hand, cookies are softer, sweeter, and have a texture more akin to traditional cookies.
For this recipe, I use the two terms interchangeably because the end result has qualities of both: the crunch of a cracker and the sweetness of a cookie.
Ingredients
Salted butter: Use softened butter so it mixes easily for a smooth dough.
Maple syrup: This natural sweetener is a sugar substitute. It adds a caramel-like sweetness. It also has a lower glycemic index, which means it causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels.
Egg: This binding ingredient adds moisture to the cookies.
Flour: This main dry ingredient forms the base of the dough.
Cinnamon: This adds a warm hint of spice that enhances the overall flavor.
Check out the recipe card below for measurements.
How to Make Animal Cookies
Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and maple syrup until creamy. Then add the egg and mix well.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients until a dough forms. If it's too sticky, add a bit more flour.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
Use animal-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes. These spring-loaded cookie cutters make it easier to release the dough without distorting the shapes.
Place the cookies on the baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges start to brown.
Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before enjoying. Happy baking!
Tips for the Best Animal Cookies
Use room temperature ingredients. Softened butter and room temperature eggs mix more easily with the other ingredients, creating a smooth and even dough.
Measure the flour accurately. Spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Too much flour can make the cookies dense and dry.
Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately. Whisk the flour and cinnamon together before adding them to the wet ingredients. This ensures the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the dough, giving every bite a warm, gently spiced flavor.
Storage
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and crisp. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The signature taste comes from sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg.
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The holes in Stauffer’s animal crackers, known as "dockers," allow air to escape during baking, preventing the crackers from rising too much and helping them maintain their animal shapes.
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Animal cookies originated in 19th-century England. The first documented recipe was published in 1870’s Secrets of the Bakers' and Confectioners' Trade by J.D. Hounihan. They became popular in America during the early 20th century when Barnum’s Animal Crackers made their debut in 1902.
Animal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup salted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 small egg
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the softened butter and maple syrup until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and mix until evenly incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour until it reaches a workable consistency.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a spring-loaded cookie cutter to create fun animal shapes.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool fully on a wire rack before digging in. Enjoy your homemade animal cookies!
Notes
If you’re giving these to babies, make sure they’ve been exposed to wheat and eggs before serving since those are both common allergens.
