These circus animal sugar cookies are a delicious treat that combines the sweet flavor of a graham cracker sugar cookie with the fun addition of frosted animal crackers, white chocolate chips, and full of sprinkles. A cookie within a cookie? I know, it may sound crazy but let me tell you it works! If you're a fan of those classic pink and white animal cookies, these cookies are sure to be a hit. They have a chewy center and crisp edges, they are the perfect party cookie.
I really wanted to create a fun cookie recipe that is perfect for any party occasion. I loved frosted animal cookies as a kid, queue the nostalgia. So when thinking of this recipe, I knew I wanted to have that perfect blend of sweetness but also add a new flavor profile for a twist on these already famous cookies. I created this cookie recipe with graham crackers and flour as the binding and it's truly magical! There is the perfect amount of sweet and salty in every bite.
These cookies taste like an animal cracker sugar cookie with the use of only white sugar creating a chewy and crispier cookie. It also uses lots of white chocolate chips for another level of flavor.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- Easy to Make: They require no chill time, can be made with a hand mixer, and are easy to make with children.
- Chewy and Crisp Cookies: These cookies are chewy at the center with crisp edges. Literally the perfect cookie.
- Frosted Animal Cookies: Adding chopped frosted circus animal cookies make these the perfect nostalgic cookie recipe with the right amount of sweet and tangy.
- White Chocolate Chips: These add another layer of flavor to enhance the cookies.
- Rainbow Sprinkles: These cookies are filled with lots of nonpareil rainbow sprinkles, creating the perfect party cookie.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Unsalted Butter: Pull butter out about 30-45 minutes prior to baking. You want your butter to be slightly cool and not quite at room temperature.
- Sugar: This recipe calls for only granulated white sugar to allow the taste of a sugar cookie to shine.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: You can find these in your local grocery store already in crumb form. If you can't find them, you can use graham cracker sheets and blend them in a food processor until a fine crumb.
- Cornstarch: This helps keep your cookies soft and chewy.
- Frosted Circus Animal Cookies: These are your typical pink and white frosted cookies in animal shapes found at the store.
- Rainbow Sprinkles: You will want to use rainbow nonpareil sprinkles. You can find my favorite, here.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
This easy circus animal cookies are going to be ready in no time using these step-by-step instructions. Here is how to make these circus animal sugar cookies. You can make this recipe using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- STEP 1: Prep
Preheat oven to 375°F. - STEP 2: Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together graham cracker crumbs, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
Place frosted circus animal cookies in a large Ziplock bag and place them on a hard countertop surface. Using a rolling pin(or similar) crushed the circus animal cookies into small pieces. You can roll or lightly tap to help break them up. I like to have very small pieces for my cookies with a few larger chunks. You do not want them to be full pieces as they are hard to incorporate into the cookie. - STEP 3: Wet Ingredients
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream butter, and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, approx. 2-3 minutes. Scrape the bowl. Add eggs and vanilla and mix on medium-high speed for another 2 minutes. Give the bowl another scrape to ensure fully combined. - STEP 4: Combine
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Add in the crushed circus animal cookies, white chocolate chips, and rainbow sprinkles. Mix on low until just combined. I like to mix by hand at the end to make sure everything is combined. - STEP 5: Scoop the Dough and Bake
Using a medium cookie scoop, drop round cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet approx. 2-3 inches apart.
Bake at 375° for approximately 8 minutes. They will look barely done and that is perfect as these cookies will have a nice crunch on the bottom from the graham cracker so you do not want to overbake.
Cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes and then transfer to a baking rack or parchment paper.
BAKING TIPS
- If your butter is too warm, it could cause these cookies to be very thin and spread out.
- Flour: Make sure to spoon flour into a measuring cup and level off with a flat edge. This prevents too much flour from being impacted in the cup which will result in a dry, thicker cookie.
- Butter & Sugar: Make sure to cream these very well to ensure they are well combined
- Circus Animal Cookies: You will want to crush these to a small-medium size. Large pieces will have a harder time incorporating into the cookie.
- Hand Mixing: I like to mix the final dough with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed. Because this recipe has a lot of ingredients, it will help provide a better-shaped and tasting cookie.
STORAGE AND FREEZING
You can store these party circus animal cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. After this time, they will begin to dry out.
FREEZING
You can certainly freeze baked cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw to room temperature or warm up in the microwave when ready to serve.
Freezing cookie dough balls is also a great option. Just scoop round cookie dough balls into a freezer-safe plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 1 month. Remove cookie dough balls and allow them to thaw for 20-30 minutes before baking.
If you are looking for more cookie recipes, try Chewy, Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies, or the S'mores Cookie Skillet for serving a crowd!
If you make and loved this recipe, please make sure to leave a REVIEW! Hearing from you is so helpful! If you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram @handfulofsugarco and follow me on Pinterest for my delicious dessert ideas!
📖 Recipe
Circus Animal Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, slightly cold
- 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
- 1 whole egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 cups all purpose flour, spoon and level
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ½ cups crushed frosted animal cookies
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup nonpareil rainbow colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a small bowl, whisk together graham cracker crumbs, all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch and salt. Set aside.
- Place frosted circus animal cookies in a large Ziplock bag and place on a hard countertop surface. Using a rolling pin(or similar) crushed the circus animal cookies into small pieces. You can roll or lightly tap to help break them up. I like to have very small pieces for my cookies with a some medium chunks. You do not want them to be full pieces as they are hard to incorporate into the cookie.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium high speed until light and fluffy, approx. 2-3 minutes. Scrape the bowl. Add eggs and vanilla and mix on medium-high speed for another 2 minutes. Give the bowl another scrape to ensure fully combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low until just combined.
- Add in the crushed circus animal cookies, white chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles. Mix on low until just combined. I like to mix by hand at the end to make sure everything is combined.
- Using a medium cookie scoop, drop round cookie dough balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet approx. 2-3 inches apart.
- Bake for approximat 8 minutes. They will look barely done and that is perfect as these cookies will have a nice crunch on the bottom from the graham cracker so you do not want to over bake.
- Cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes and then transfer to a baking rack or parchment paper.
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