Animal Cracker Cookies

These Animal Cracker Cookies are sure to bring joy and fun to any occasion. Not just for kids, animal cracker cookies are a sweet treat that can be enjoyed by everyone!

seven animal cracker cookies stacked on a plate.

With crunchy sweet animal-shaped cookies and a hint of vanilla, these tasty treats are sure to put a smile on your face. Whether it’s an afternoon snack or after-dinner dessert, the cookies always hit the spot.

cookie held in a woman's hand with a bite taken out of it.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • They are a classic favorite that you can make with minimal ingredients.
  • They are fun to make and even the kids can help you in the kitchen.
  • The sweet vanilla flavor of these treats is sure to please everyone in the family.

🛒Ingredients

bowls of brown sugar, flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, egg, butter, sprinkles, and Circus Cookies.

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these chewy cookies. All of these ingredients are common pantry staples so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money at the grocery store on your next trip.

  • softened butter 
  • brown sugar
  • granulated sugar 
  • large egg
  • vanilla extract
  • all purpose flour
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • rainbow sprinkles 
  • frosted animal crackers 

See the recipe card below for quantities.

🔪 How to Make Animal Cracker Cookies

Making these cookies is so easy just follow the steps below or in the recipe card at the bottom of the post and you will have soft and chewy cookies that your entire family will enjoy in no time at all.

raw egg and vanilla extract being added to a bowl that has a brown sugar and butter mixture in it.

Step 1: Mix together the wet ingredients

In a medium size bowl mix together the butter, brown sugar, and sugar with a hand mixer until smooth. And, then add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix together until combined.

flour, salt, and baking powdered added to a bowl filled with wet ingredients.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

Add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix to form the dough.

Step 3: Add the sprinkles

 Add in the sprinkles and fold the dough with a silicone spoon. 

Step 4: Shape the cookie dough

Form 2 tbsp worth of dough into a ball and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. 

raw cookie dough balls with pieces of Circus Animal Cracker cookies pressed into them on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Add the animal crackers

Break apart the animal crackers and add 2-3 bits to the cookie. Slightly pressing into the dough.

Step 6: Bake the cookies

Bake for 8 minutes or until slightly golden. And, then let cool and enjoy!

📝Variations

Do you want to change up this recipe and make it your own? Here are some ways that you can do that!

  • Additions: Add some chopped chocolate chips or nuts to the cookie dough.
  • Salt: Sprinkle on some sea salt before baking for a salty-sweet treat.
  • Crackers: Try using different types of animal crackers like mini, sugar-coated, or even peanut butter!

If you love cookies you may also enjoy these Italian Ricotta Cookies.

🥄 Equipment

You will need a few kitchen tools to help you make these delicious cookies.

  • mixing bowls
  • hand mixer
  • parchment paper
  • cookie sheets
three cookies on top of three small plates stacked on top of each other.

🥫 Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up one to week. You could also freeze the cookie dough for up to three months in a freezer-safe bag.

These ingredients don’t stand up well to freezing.

💭 Tips

Here are a few tips that you can use to ensure that these cookies turn out perfectly for you every time that you can.

  • Make sure to use softened butter and not melted butter.
  • Don’t over-mix the cookie dough. Otherwise, you will have tough cookies. Once you add the flour mix until just combined.
  • Be careful not to over-bake the cookies or they will become crispy instead of chewy.
  • Be sure to cool the cookies completely before removing them from the pan.

⁉️ FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Can I skip the sprinkles?

Yes, you can definitely skip the sprinkles if you would like. But, I think they add such a nice pop of color.

What is the difference between a Circus Animal Cracker and a regular Animal Cracker?

Circus Animal Crackers are usually vanilla flavored and shaped like circus animals. While regular animal crackers are slightly more plain in flavor and shape.

Can I freeze baked cookies?

Yes, you can freeze baked cookies. Just make sure that they are completely cooled before freezing and stored in an airtight container or bag.

🍽 More Cookies Recipes

Do you enjoy cookies? If so, try these delicious recipes:

📌 PIN IT!!

seven animal cracker cookies stacked on a plate.

🧾Recipe Card

Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.

seven animal cracker cookies stacked on a plate.

Animal Cracker Cookies

These Animal Cracker Cookies are soft, colorful, and delicious. If you are looking for a beautiful sweet treat to make this is it.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Servings: 9 Cookies
Calories: 200kcal

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer
  • parchment paper
  • Cookie sheets

Ingredients

  • 7 tablespoons softened butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
  • 6-8 frosted animal crackers

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°
  • In a medium size 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 tbsp worth of dough into a ball and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
  • Break apart the animal crackers and add 2-3 bits onto the cookie. Slightly pressing into the dough.
  • Bake for 8 minutes or until slightly golden.
  • Let cool and enjoy!

Notes

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cookie | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg

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