Homemade Animal Crackers.
A funny thing happened on Monday night. As we were climbing into bed, Mr. How Sweet was detailing his intense craving for sweets. He was begging for cookies and brownies and cake, none of which we had. Then he talked about animal crackers for a good 10 minutes. It was like our roles had reversed. I just wanted to sleep, and he wouldn’t shut up about food. Now I know how he feels every night.
Then he asked if I could make animal crackers. I’m always up for a challenge.
Plus, are these not the most adorable things you’ve ever seen?
There was something fun about making the cookies slash crackers. I’m not sure if it was because it was a new-to-me recipe, or because I was using teeny, tiny cookie cutters, or because I ate so much dough that I tricked myself into thinking it was fun.
And I had no idea that animal crackers were made with oats. Well, I have no clue if the boxed variety are made with oats, but every homemade recipe I found was.
I also used half whole wheat flour in an effort to make them a bit healthier. Not that it really mattered since I knew Mr. How Sweet would eat the entire batch. As much as I love mini food, I’m pretty sure eating 68 animal crackers cancels out any attempt at portion control.
The mini animal cookie cutters are a Noah’s Arc set by Wilton. If you couldn’t already tell, I’m basically obsessed with them. They are so tiny.
Hello, Mr. Elephant. You are just so cute that I could eat you.
And eat you I did. About 10 times over. I’m sorry.
We loved the cookies, but there are a few things to note.
- They are not sweet. If you are looking for a sweet animal cracker, this is not for you.
- They are not exactly crunchy either. Crunchy on the outside and just a little soft on the inside. Perfect.
- The are best when covered in something extremely sugary. But just a little dollop.
Mr. How Sweet made himself a plate piled high with animal crackers, dipped them in frosting, and had a diet Coke on the side. But for once, he didn’t eat them over the sink.
Homemade Animal Crackers
slightly changed from allrecipes
1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup butter, softened
4 tablespoons buttermilk
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Grind oats (I used a food processor, you can use a blender) and add flours, salt and baking soda. Add butter and pulse until small crumbles remain. Add honey, vanilla and buttermilk, and mix until a dough forms.
Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Once chilled, flour surface and roll out dough. Cut cookies and place on a baking sheet.
Baking times will depend on the size of the cutter you are using and the thickness of the cookie. I baked these mini crackers for 4-5 minutes each.
I decorated a few for myself. Well, initially I decorated them for both of us. But I ate them all before he got home. Â And then I had an issue with the frosting. Oh well. All I really want is to recreate that pink glazed frosting that comes on the bagged iced animal crackers. Anyone have a recipe *exactly* like that? My 2 hour search came up short.
134 Comments on “Homemade Animal Crackers.”
I had no idea you could make them at home, how silly is that! These look amazing and I love that the ingredients are not processed. How neat
AMAZING! I would pay you to ship these to me! lol!
They are adorable. :)
Those are too adorable for words! And Mr. How Sweet (if you read this) – I’m right there with you! I’m craving sweets something crazy lately.
Could be from wanting to pull my hair out sitting on a couch all day with a sick kiddo. I still get the urge for sweets when stressed. Thankfully I can control it now.
I so love the idea of putting oats in the animal crackers. Oats are one of the best grains available; I try to incorporate them into many foods. This is a tasty, portable treat.
Too cute for words! I have been munching on store-bought animal crackers for weeks and love ’em!
oh my word jessica~~these are tooo stinkin cute!!! i want these!! do a contest and make these the prize!!!! pleeeeezzz!!!! just kiddin’ i will try these!!! i love them!!!!
ahhhh i love animal crackers defo going to try this xxxxx
I think I gasped when I saw the last photo of them covered in chocolate and sprinkles. OMG so freaking adorable…mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I want to make these so bad!! I recently stumbled upon your blog a couple days ago and I am now obsessed and wait patiently for a new post every day!
Totally adorable. Through the computer screen, Mr. Teddy Bear talked to me. He said “I need you to tell Jessica to take me and one of my teddy bear friends, put melted dark chocolate between us, and eat us.”
I definitely put some of that chocolate frosting and sprinkles in between 2 of them and had a sandwich. Or 10.
Has anybody ever told you that you are brilliant?
oh my gosh these are SO CUTE! and i think i’d like chocolate frosting better than the pink ;)
You are my idol.
Ohhh those are SO cute!! I LOVE the way the frosted ones look and I’m totally right with you on the pink frosted animal crackers. Those are SO good!!
Those are the cutest little things! I could definitely do some damage on a batch of those covered in sprinkles and icing! Animal crackers don’t have to just be for kids :) I am 19 and proud to still adore munching on crackers in the shape of zoo animals!
Good grief, those are too cute for words.
Almost.
These are SO cute!! I love the frosted ones the most!
Hi! I am a recent subscriber to your blog…love it! Iced animal crackers are the best…I’ll have to try them!
Thanks so much!
these look amazing!!! the funny thing is that only someone without kids would actually have time to make these. can you move here and help me make cookies with skylar?! :) I actually made cookies last nite, but they werent mini, didnt have to roll out dough, or frost and sprinkle them…omg the work in these lil buggers…they are precious. You need to submit them to a parenting magazine, they will get published! Trust me I read like 10 parenting mags, they need these cookies!
Frosting, powdered sugar, butter, splash of milk, combine to correct consistency. Add drop of red/pink food coloring. Done.
Hope you’re good…I knowyou’re slammed, I have been emailing you just making sure you’re ok…I miss you :)
xo
Omg those are the cutest little cookie cutters ..what a great idea for homemade cookies! I can’t wait to make them
i love these. i have always had an obsession with animal crackers! can’t wait to try them.
Those are the cutest cookie cutters ever! These seem like they’d be perfect for a child’s birthday party (or an adults!)!
Ahhh! Where did you get the cookie cutters?! I want them!
Joanne’s!
I never even thought to make animal crackers myself! I think having those cookie cutters around would be dangerous though…I don’t know if I’d be able to control myself from turning *all* everyday food into cute little animals!
I feel like that icing had some lemon in it. Maybe I’m crazy, but you could try adding a tiny bit. These look amazing- you have the most creative baking projects!
You might be right!!
Those are SO darn cute! A lot of fun can be had with these cookies :)
These are ADORABLE!
I love animal crackers and I cant wait to try making them! Thanks for sharing :)
These look awesome! I’ve always liked my crackers stale, so this is right up my alley. I don’t think mine would come out as nice, though? ;)
Love these little cookies, so sweet for the little ones.
PS Come to my blog, I’m having a Kikkoman giveaway (http://judyskitchen.blogspot.com)
I was so relieved when you spread chocolate on those babies at the end of your post.
I truly believed you were going to leave us hanging with, “They are not sweet. If you are looking for a sweet animal cracker, this is not for you.”
I almost didn’t continue reading after that line.
I’m glad you rectified this situation.
how cute!! i might have to make these for my niece! :)
btw, this is my first time here and i just love your blog. i’m totally adding it to my google reader! can’t wait to read more. :)
Thank you! :)
PUH LEASE track down that pink glaze!! I will love you forever and ever and ever (even though I already do, of course :))
YES please…find the recipe for the icing. I want an iced animal cracked so badly. I have been craving them for weeks. I will not allow myself to buy the ones at the store….have you seen what’s in them!!?? So happy to find your blog.
I love this animal crackers and what I like about it is they are healthy, delicious and not so perfect, just as I am.
How fun!!! I think I saw a link to this on Tastespotting earlier today?
Those are so precious!
i want these. i NEED these.
and please figure out how to make the pink frosted ones!
actually, don’t. that would be way too dangerous!
Awww how freaking cute are these?! You are the next martha my friend :)
xxoo
Love these- and love the blog. Though find it impossible to think about animal crackers without remembering that scene in Armageddon… :)
Thanks!
These are adorable… LOVE those cookie cutters! I will have to pick up a few of those.
So fun–I’ve never even thought of making homemade animal crackers. Fun :-)
These animal cookies are DARLING!! Especially the ones with the chocolate & sprinkles :) xo
Your animals crackers are really cute!
These are SO cute!
And good for Mr. How Sweet, talking about sweets. Not like you need any encouragement to bake, though. You’d do it anyway.
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ACK! Those frosted animal crackers and the sprinkles!!!! My husband would love me forever if I could find that recipe. Let me know if you do.
I bet it’s something totally nasty like straight up pink colored crisco with powdered sugar. That’s why we love it so much.
Tell me about it. I’m sure it is.
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Here’s someone who made a gigantic animal cookie. They included a glaze recipe, and it looked similar to the iced animal crackers….soo here’s the link: http://bakingbites.com/2007/07/pimp-that-animal-cookie/
The glaze on the bought animal crackers contains tons of saturated fat…just unbelievable!!
My husband also snacks while standing over the sink. So funny to know he has company.
Try melting white chocolate and glazing/dipping the cookies with that. I worked at a bakery and they dipped their cutouts in melted white choc, topped with sprinkles and they tasted JUST like the pink and white animal crackers. But, like, better because they were more buttery and rich and fattening and obviously way huger.
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