Ah, the sweet allure of nostalgia wrapped in a crunchy, colorful coat—circus animal cookies. Remember those days when a handful of these vibrant little animals seemed to solve all the world’s problems? Well, here’s your chance to recreate that magic at home. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a random Tuesday, nothing beats whipping up a batch of these playful treats, especially when paired with a cold glass of milk and a sprinkle of childhood wonder.
Steps
- In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and salt, then set this mixture aside. Use a standing mixer or an electric hand mixer to cream butter until smooth, which should take about 30 to 60 seconds. Add powdered sugar and continue mixing until fully blended.
- Incorporate the egg and vanilla into the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low, gradually add in the dry ingredients, and mix until the dough starts forming, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes. Avoid overmixing and scrape the bowl as necessary.
- Place the dough on a clean surface and form it into a ball. Flatten it into a 1-inch thick disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, positioning the racks in the upper and lower middle sections. Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. Roll out the chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness between parchment paper or plastic wrap and cut out shapes using small animal cookie cutters.
- Use a toothpick to poke a few holes in each cookie to prevent excessive rising. Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes until set, then transfer them to racks to cool completely.
- For decorating, line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. Melt the pink candy melts as per package instructions using the microwave or a double boiler.
- Dip half of the cookies into the pink candy melts, letting excess drip off, and place them on parchment paper. Sprinkle with nonpareils immediately.
- Repeat the dipping process with white candy melts for the remaining cookies. Allow the cookies to fully harden before removing them from the paper. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Wilton brand bright pink candy melts
- Wilton brand bright white candy melts
- Rainbow nonpareils
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2540kcal | Carbohydrates: 280g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 140g | Saturated Fat: 90g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 40g | Trans Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 520mg | Sodium: 2400mg | Potassium: 380mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 90g | Vitamin A: 4440IU | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 10mg
FAQ
- What makes these circus animal cookies different from store-bought ones?
- The homemade version of circus animal cookies uses real butter and includes an egg, resulting in a delightful blend of sugar cookie and shortbread textures. These cookies are buttery, crisp, and perfect for dipping in candy melts.
- Can I use a different extract instead of vanilla in this recipe?
- Yes, you can substitute vanilla extract with another flavor if desired. Almond extract is a popular alternative that adds a unique twist to these cookies.
- How should I store the cookies once they’re made?
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
- Is it possible to freeze the cookie dough for later use?
- Absolutely! After shaping the dough into a disc, wrap it in a double layer of plastic wrap, label, and date it. You can freeze the dough for up to two months. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
- Where can I find the candy melts needed for this recipe?
- Wilton brand bright pink and bright white candy melts are recommended for the best color. They can typically be found at local stores like Walmart or purchased online from retailers such as Amazon. You can also experiment with other colors if desired.
Tips
- Use Powdered Sugar: Opt for powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar to effortlessly combine with butter, resulting in a crisp, sandy texture for your cookies.
- Chill the Dough: After shaping the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic and chill it for at least 30 minutes. This helps in maintaining the shape of the cookies during baking and enhances flavor.
- Prevent Over-Rising: Use a toothpick to poke a few holes in each cookie before baking. This will prevent them from puffing up too much in the oven.
- Decorate Promptly: When decorating with candy melts, sprinkle the nonpareils immediately after dipping the cookies to ensure they adhere properly before the coating hardens.
Equipment
- Standing Mixer with Paddle Attachment – Useful for efficiently creaming butter and sugar, though an electric hand mixer can also be used.
- Small Animal-Shaped Cookie Cutters – Essential for cutting the cookies into the classic circus animal shapes.
- Candy Melts – Specifically Wilton brand bright pink and bright white candy melts for decorating the cookies.
