Frosted Animal Cookies
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
112 cookies
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Calories
49 kcal
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Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Frosted Animal Cookies
Description
This recipe starts by creaming softened butter with granulated sugar until smooth, then beating in eggs, salt, vanilla, and optionally almond extract or Princess emulsion for added flavor complexity. Flour is gradually mixed in to form a dough that can be rolled out to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Animal-shaped cookies are cut closely together for efficiency and baked at 350°F until the edges develop a light golden color. After cooling, they are iced with a mixture of powdered sugar, meringue powder, water, and vanilla extract, which can be colored and decorated with sprinkles for a fun finish.
These cookies balance a crisp edge with a tender center and work well for parties or festive occasions. The icing dries to a smooth finish suitable for decorating detailed shapes. They can be stored and shared, offering a classic sweet treat with familiar flavors enhanced by the optional almond or Princess emulsion extract.
Ingredients
- 12 Tablespoons butter softened, but still slightly cool. Should not be melting or your cookie dough will be too soft and you may end up needing to chill it, unsalted
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 egg large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract optional, or Princess emulsion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon meringue powder
- 3 Tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food Coloring optional
- nonpareil sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
- In a large bowl (or in a stand mixer), use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugar together until well-creamed and thoroughly combined.
- Add egg, salt, and extracts, and beat until combined.
- With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, stirring until completely combined.
- Divide dough into two equal parts. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll one portion of dough to be ¼” thick.
- Cut out animal shape, cutting cookies as close together as possible then regroup any scraps and re-roll to get more cookies. Repeat with second half of dough once you have finished with the first.
- Transfer cookies to parchment paper lined baking sheet, spacing at least 1 inch apart.
- Bake in 350F (175C) oven until cookies are just beginning to turn a light golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to cooling rack to cool completely before icing.
ICING
- Whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add water and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to beat until soft peaks form. Stir in food coloring, if using.
- Holding cookies gently by their base, dip the surface of each cookie in the icing. Return to cooling rack or a wax paper lined baking sheet and sprinkle immediately with nonpareils, if using. Allow icing to harden before enjoying (about 15-30 minutes).
Notes
- "Princess" emulsion, available in specialty shops or online, adds almond and lemon-like notes; almond extract can be used as a substitute.
- Softened butter should be slightly cool to prevent overly soft dough and reduce the need for chilling.
- Use Americolor gel food colors like “electric pink” for vibrant icing hues.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 112cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 49 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cookie | |
| Calories | 49kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 22mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 7mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 42IU | 1% |
| Calcium | 2mg | 0% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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