Description
These Homemade Animal Crackers are a delightful, lightly sweetened treat with a perfect crunchy texture. Made with a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flours, honey, and cinnamon, they offer a wholesome twist on the classic snack. Perfect for kids and adults alike, these crackers are easy to make and bake to a beautiful golden brown, ideal for snacking or lunchbox treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 9 tablespoons (4 ½ oz/129 g) butter, softened
- ¼ cup (2 oz/57 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Cream Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and honey until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, whisking continuously until you achieve a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and ground cinnamon thoroughly.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Use your hands to gently knead just until the dough comes together into a cohesive ball.
- Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a flattened disc, wrap it tightly in cling wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to roll out.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Set your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the chilled dough to a ¼-inch (6 mm) thickness, keeping the remaining dough refrigerated until ready to use.
- Cut Shapes: Use animal-shaped cookie cutters or any preferred shapes to cut out the dough. Place the crackers about 1 inch (3 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool and Store: Allow the crackers to cool on the baking sheets for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack or container. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps make rolling and cutting easier and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- You can substitute whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour if you prefer a lighter texture, but whole wheat adds a lovely nutty flavor.
- Ensure your butter is softened, not melted, for proper creaming with sugar.
- Store the animal crackers in an airtight container to maintain their crispness for up to a week.
- Feel free to experiment with spices like nutmeg or ginger for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade animal crackers, animal crackers recipe, homemade snacks, baked cookies, crunchy animal cookies, kid-friendly snacks
