Homemade animal crackers, but make it easy with minimal ingredients and just as cute as store bought. Made with no unnecessary additives or ingredients, these are sure to be a snack time hit for your little one! Bonus: they come together in less than 20 minutes and they’re great for tiny hands. (Make these at the start of the week, double the batch and freeze half for convenient snacks or lunchbox options).
WHAT YOU NEED
Flour: base of the cracker
Butter: gives the cracker the right texture
Cinnamon/vanilla/salt: for flavour
Maple syrup: a touch of sweetness
STORAGE
Muffins will last up to 5 days in an air tight container on the counter. Alternatively, they can be frozen for up to 3 months, allow to thaw fully before consuming (a great way to have easy access to snacks, double the batch, freeze and pull them out when you need them).
BAKING TIPS
Your butter needs to be very soft for these to come together properly, make sure its been sitting at room temperature for a long time or soften in the microwave gently. I have had success using both the food processor and stand mixer for these, be patient and kneed by hand if necessary. Cute cookie cut out stamps are extra fun (find them here) but any old cookie cutter works just fine! Get creative.
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Animal Crackers
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 3 tbsp butter softened
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix butter and maple syrup on high speed in a food processor or stand mixer. Add vanilla, cinnamon and salt and mix to combine. Add flour and mix on low speed, until you form a soft dough. You made need to knead this by hand to get it all to come together, be patient.
- Roll into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge for 30-45 minutes.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface, about 1/4 inch thick. Flour cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes.
- Transfer to baking pan, bake for 5-6 minutes, do not over bake.
- Store in airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days.
