With just a few simple ingredients and a crazy easy method, this Animal Crackers recipe is a favorite kids snack to make and share. You can make them big or mini in whichever shapes you prefer!
Animal Crackers Recipe
We love a good baking project over here and this easy cookie recipe is a perfect one to make with the kids. The batter is super duper simple to make, even if the kids are helping, and they turn out so good. The crackers are just a little bit crisp and just a little sweet and they are so fun to make in fun animal shapes.
TIP: We like to make them using mini cookie cutters, but any size will work.
Ingredients in Animal Crackers
To make this easy recipe, you’ll need:
- Whole-wheat flour
- Baking powder
- Milk
- Unsalted butter
- Maple syrup
TIP: You can use all-purpose flour if you prefer or if that’s what you have. I like the flavor from whole-wheat, but both will work.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this easy animal cookies recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.
- Add the ingredients to a bowl.
- Mix together with a wooden spoon or your hands. Form a ball.
- Roll out between parchment paper pieces, cut out with mini cookie cutters.
- Bake and enjoy.
TIP: I prefer to roll the dough out between parchment paper since it’s easy, but you can also do it by coating the rolling pin with a little flour to prevent sticking.
Best Tips for Success
- I prefer to roll the dough out between parchment paper since it’s easy, but you can also do it by coating the rolling pin with a little flour to prevent sticking.
- You can use all-purpose flour if you prefer or if that’s what you have. I like the flavor from whole-wheat, but both will work.
- We like to make them using mini cookie cutters, but any size will work.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days at room temperature.
- You can also store any dough you don’t use in a zip top plastic bag, tightly sealed and with as much air removed as possible, for up to a week in the fridge. Let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using.
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If you try this recipe with or for your kids, I’d love to hear how it went. Please comment below and leave some stars—I appreciate all feedback!
Easiest Animal Crackers Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place all ingredients into a bowl and use your hand to mix together to form a dough. (If the dough is a little crumbly, be sure that it’s throughly combined and then if it’s still crumbly, add 1/2-1 tablespoon additional milk until it comes together.)
- Make a flattened disc of dough.
- Roll the dough ¼-inch thick between two pieces of lightly floured pieces of parchment paper. (The flour will ensure that the cut outs are easy to move.)
- Cut out the dough with a cookie cutter and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 7-9 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges.
- Remove from the oven, let cool on the baking sheet for a minute, and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days at room temperature.
- You can also store any dough you don’t bake in a zip top plastic bag, tightly sealed and with as much air removed as possible, for up to a week in the fridge. Let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling out to allow it to soften up.
- I prefer to roll the dough out between parchment paper since it’s easy, but you can also do it by coating the rolling pin with a little flour to prevent sticking.
- You can use all-purpose flour if you prefer or if that’s what you have. I like the flavor from whole-wheat, but both will work.
- We like to make them using mini cookie cutters, but any size will work.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 style of gluten-free baking mix in place of the wheat flour.
- Dairy-free: Use nondairy milk and softened coconut oil in place of the butter.
My baby loves these cookies! I put sprinkles on top.
I asked you the other day about recipes I could use baby cereal in. This is one. I substituted 1/4 cup baby cereal for 1/4 cup of the flour and it came out great.
Awesome!
Amazing recipe! We go to a playgroup once per week where they get a treat bag at the end full of processed unhealthy treats. I started making these for my daughter to have instead. She’s loves them! They are a big hit! Made with gluten free 1:1 flour with no issues.
My daughter (and I) love everything about these cookies! They are by far her favorite! I love that they are easy to make and that they freeze, which is a big bonus. Thank you for sharing such a great recipe!