Childhood memories often include the simple joy of frosted animal cookies. Those colorful, animal-shaped treats coated in sweet frosting and sprinkles were a staple for many. But for those following a gluten-free diet, this classic snack can be hard to find. This guide provides a delicious and easy recipe to recreate those beloved Gluten Free Frosted Animal Cookies right in your own kitchen, allowing everyone to enjoy a taste of nostalgia.
This recipe isn’t just about avoiding gluten; it’s about making cookies that taste just like the original frosted animal cookies you remember, with perfect texture – crisp edges and a soft interior. Whether you enjoy them plain or dipped in vibrant white and pink chocolate, these homemade animal cookies are sure to become a favorite. They are easy to make, use simple ingredients, and can even be frozen for later enjoyment. You can easily make them into gluten free frosted animal crackers by adjusting the thickness and baking time slightly for a crispier texture, capturing that classic cracker snap.
Why Make Your Own Gluten-Free Animal Cookies?
Creating your own gluten-free version of classic snacks offers numerous benefits, especially when it comes to Gluten Free Frosted Animal Cookies.
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: This recipe uses gluten-free flour blends and other common baking ingredients readily available at most grocery stores.
- Customization: You have control over the size of the cookies using different animal cookie cutters. Mini cutters give that authentic, bite-sized feel.
- Versatility: Enjoy them as simple gluten-free animal cookies or transform them into vibrant gluten-free circus cookies by adding a chocolate frosting and sprinkles.
- Make Ahead & Storage: These cookies freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for batch baking and storing for whenever a craving strikes.
Understanding Ingredients and Allergens
Ensuring your homemade cookies meet dietary needs is crucial. This recipe for gluten free frosted animal cookies is naturally free from soy, nuts, and oats. For those needing a dairy-free option, simply substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative.
Selecting the right gluten-free flour blend is key to successful baking. Different blends have varying starch-to-grain ratios, which affects the dough’s consistency.
- King Arthur Measure for Measure: This blend generally works well without needing a resting period for the dough.
- Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Blend: This blend benefits from letting the dough rest for about 15 minutes. This allows the rice flour, often present in such blends, to absorb moisture and soften, preventing a gritty texture in the final cookie.
If your chosen gluten-free flour blend does not contain xanthan gum or guar gum, be sure to add ¾ to 1 teaspoon per batch to provide structure and binding, essential for gluten-free baked goods.
Other ingredients like unsalted butter (or dairy-free alternative), large eggs, sea salt or kosher salt, and pure vanilla extract are standard baking components. For the signature frosting on these gluten free frosted animal cookies, white chocolate melting wafers or chips are used. Always double-check labels to ensure they are gluten-free, as some brands like Wilton melting wafers may be processed on shared equipment. Enjoy Life offers a reliable dairy-free white chocolate chip option. Lastly, ensure your sprinkles are certified gluten-free, as cross-contamination can occur with shared equipment in sprinkle production. You can refer to dedicated lists for certified gluten free frosted animal crackers safe sprinkles.
Crafting Your Gluten-Free Animal Cookies: Step-by-Step
Making these gluten free frosted animal cookies is a straightforward process, combining dry and wet ingredients before chilling, cutting, and baking.
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, brown sugar, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and sea salt. Ensure they are well blended.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the softened butter, large egg, and pure vanilla extract.
Step 3: Mix Dough. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Form Dough. Mix the ingredients together until a cohesive cookie dough forms. This can be done by hand or using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. If using a mixer, add wet ingredients first, then gradually add dry ingredients while mixing on low speed until the dough comes together.
Step 5: Chill the Dough. Wrap the cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and cut.
Step 6: Roll and Cut. Place the chilled dough onto a surface covered with wax paper or a silicone baking mat. Roll the dough to a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch. Use small animal cookie cutters to cut out the shapes.
Photos of steps 5 and 6.
Step 7: Bake. Carefully place the animal cookie cutouts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack within 5 minutes to prevent them from continuing to bake on the hot sheet.
Step 8: Prepare the Frosting. While the cookies cool, melt the white chocolate melting wafers or chips in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in short intervals (15-20 seconds), stirring between each, to prevent burning. Separate half of the melted chocolate into another bowl and add 1-3 drops of red food coloring, stirring to create a vibrant pink color.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate. Once the cookies are completely cool, dip each cookie into either the melted white or pink chocolate. Immediately after dipping, sprinkle with your chosen gluten-free sprinkles before the chocolate hardens. These homemade gluten free frosted animal crackers are now ready to enjoy once the chocolate sets!
The animal cookies on a rack.
Tips for Perfect Gluten-Free Cookies
Achieving the ideal texture for your gluten free frosted animal cookies is simple with a few key tips:
- Cool Baking Sheets: Never place cookie dough on a hot baking sheet; it will cause the cookies to spread excessively and lose their shape. Use multiple sheets and rotate them, allowing each to cool completely between batches.
- Timely Removal from Sheet: Once baked, let the cookies sit on the hot baking sheet for no more than 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. The residual heat can continue to bake them, potentially making them too hard.
- Adjust for Crispness: If you prefer a crispier cookie, roll the dough thinner than 1/4 inch. For softer cookies, roll it slightly thicker and bake for a minute or two less.
Storage Solutions
These delightful gluten free frosted animal cookies can be stored for future enjoyment. Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness. For longer storage, place the cooled cookies in a zipper freezer bag and freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are animal cookies made of?
Traditionally, animal cookies are made with flour, sugar, butter, leavening agents (like baking soda), salt, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), eggs, and vanilla. This gluten-free recipe substitutes the regular flour with a gluten-free blend while keeping the core ingredients the same.
How can I make these cookies crisper?
To achieve a crisper texture, roll the cookie dough to a thinner consistency before cutting out the shapes and slightly increase the baking time by 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.
The gluten free circus cookies on a board.
Recipe Card
Gluten free pink and white circus cookies on a plate.
Easy Gluten Free Animal Cookies
Cute little gluten free animal cookies that can be decorated to be like circus cookies.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 52 minutes
Servings: 32 cookies
Calories: 94 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups gluten free flour blend* (see notes)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter* (see notes)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Icing
- 4 ounces white chocolate
- 2 drops red food coloring
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Wire whisk
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Wax paper or silicone baking mat
- Small animal cookie cutters
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
- Microwave-safe dish
Method
- Preheat oven to 350º F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, add all of the dry ingredients: gluten free flour blend, brown sugar, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and sea salt. Whisk thoroughly.
- In a smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients: large egg, softened unsalted butter, and pure vanilla extract. Whisk well.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix into a cohesive cookie dough.
- Wrap the animal cookie dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a silicone mat or wax paper.
- Use mini animal cookie cutters to cut out animal shapes. Place the cookies onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes. Remove to a wire cooling rack.
- While the cookies are cooling, melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe dish in short 15-20 second intervals, stirring between each interval.
- Place half of the melted chocolate in a separate bowl and add 1-3 drops of red food coloring. Stir to get a beautiful pink color.
- When the cookies are cool, dip each into either the white or pink chocolate. Quickly top with sprinkles.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cookie | Calories: 94 kcal | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 6 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 17 mg | Sodium: 58 mg | Potassium: 17 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 140 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 16 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Notes
- This recipe has been tested with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF blend. Other blends may work but have not been tested.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- Use unsalted butter.
- Ensure your sprinkles are gluten free by checking a reliable list of gluten-free sprinkles.
- These animal cookies will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to 4 months in the freezer.
To measure your gluten free flour, use either the spoon method (spoon flour into cup, level with knife) or leveling method (scoop with cup, level with knife – do not pack).
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information provided is an estimate and should be verified with your specific ingredients and preferred calculator.
