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–+ servings
homemade circus animal cookies on a plate. they are pink and white and covered in sprinkles.
5 from 1 vote

Homemade Circus Animal Cookies

Make these nostalgic cookies at home. These crunchy animal cookies are covered in colorful chocolate and topped with sprinkles
Xena Kai
Prep Time: 19 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time: 59 minutes
Servings: 40 cookies
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Ingredients
 

For The Cookies

  • 2 Cups (240 g) All-Purpose Flour
  • ¼ tsp (0.25 tsp) Salt
  • ½ tsp (0.5 tsp) Baking Soda
  • ¾ Cups (170.25 g) Butter room temperature
  • ¾ Cups (150 g) Granulated Sugar
  • 1 (1) Egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) Vanilla Extract

Coating

  • 1 Bag (1 Bag) Pink Candy Melts
  • 1 Bag (1 Bag) White Candy Melts
  • 2 Tbsp (2 Tbsp) Nonpareils Sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
  • Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), add butter and beat with the paddle attachment for one minute or until fluffy. Add the graduated sugar and mix until combined. Then, add the egg and vanilla until combined.
  • Make Cookie Dough: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on medium for one to two minutes until a dough is formed. Do not overmix. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Shape The Dough: Flour a clean work surface. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a 1-inch disk. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. The chilled dough will be easier to work with when using the animal cracker cookie cutters.
  • Preheat your oven to 350℉. Line two full-sheet baking trays with parchment paper.
  • Cut Out Cookies: Time to roll out the dough again! Place the chilled dough between two large pieces of parchment paper (each the size of a full baking sheet). Roll out the dough until it is 1/8th-inch thick. Then, use your animal cookie cutters to cut out the animal shapes. Transfer the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets. Use a toothpick or fork and poke a few holes at the top of each cookie. This helps prevent the cookies from rising too much.
  • Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure the center of the cookie is fully cooked. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
  • Decorate the Cookies: Line a large cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Follow the instructions on your candy melts package to melt them in the microwave. Then, dip one side of the animal cookie into the melted candy. Sprinkle a pinch of nonpareils on top and place on the prepared sheets to dry completely. Repeat for all of the animal crackers.

Notes

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