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Frosted Animal Cookies

Frosted Animal Cookies: A Sweet Trip Down Memory Lane


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  • Author: Olivia Harper

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food coloring (pink, white, or your choice)
  • Sprinkles (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Cream the softened butter and white sugar together in a large bowl using a mixer until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). This step is key to achieving the right texture.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and baking powder) to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.

2. Shape and Bake:

  • Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. This ensures a crisp yet tender cookie.
  • Use animal-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the dough into fun shapes (elephants, giraffes, lions, etc.).
  • Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just start to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Prepare the Frosting:

  • While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting. In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  • Tip: Add the milk gradually to avoid making the frosting too runny.
  • Divide the frosting into separate bowls and add food coloring to each (e.g., pink and white) to create a colorful assortment for decorating.

4. Decorate the Cookies:

  • Once the cookies are fully cooled, use a spatula or knife to frost them with your colored frosting.
  • Sprinkle with colorful sprinkles while the frosting is still wet to ensure they stick. Let your creativity shine by mixing colors or creating patterns.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality butter and pure vanilla extract. The richness of these ingredients really makes a difference in the taste.
  • The dough is best when rolled out to a consistent thickness. Too thin, and the cookies will be too crisp; too thick, and they may lose their signature crunch.
  • The frosting can be a bit tricky to get the right consistency. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.