Mini Animal Cracker Cookies Recipe
These Mini Animal Cracker Cookies are delightful, cinnamon-spiced buttery treats perfect for snacking or decorating. Made with simple pantry staples, they feature a tender, flavorful dough rolled thin and cut into charming mini shapes. The cookies are perfect for decorating with royal or easy cookie icing and a sprinkle of rainbow sprinkles for a fun and festive touch.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 85 mini cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed for rolling and work surface
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Royal Icing or Easy Cookie Icing
- Food coloring (optional)
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and pure vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat on high speed until fully combined, approximately 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough will be a bit soft. If the dough feels too sticky to roll, add an additional tablespoon of flour.
- Divide Dough and Roll Out: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Place each portion on lightly floured parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll each portion out evenly to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use extra flour if the dough sticks.
- Chill the Dough: Lightly dust one rolled dough with flour, then place a piece of parchment paper on top to prevent sticking. Layer the second rolled dough on top, cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours, or up to 2 days. This chilling step helps the dough firm up for easier cutting and baking.
Notes
- If the dough is too sticky for rolling after chilling, lightly flour your rolling surface and rolling pin.
- Cut dough into fun animal shapes or any preferred shapes before baking.
- The dough can be rolled out and chilled ahead of time—up to 2 days refrigerated—to make baking day easier.
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing or easy cookie icing and add rainbow sprinkles for a festive look.
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best texture.
Find it online: https://recipesbyliza.com/mini-animal-cracker-cookies-recipe/
