Vegan Frosted Animal Cookies

These incredibly nostalgic pink and white Vegan Frosted Animal Cookies taste (and look!) exactly like you remember. Super easy to make and come together in only one bowl!

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If you were anything like me, the Mother's Circus Animal Cookies had a big hold on your childhood. Little packages of animal crackers coated in sweet, white or pink icing and topped with multi-colored sprinkles!? Yes please.

There is something so nice about getting to remake all of my favorite childhood recipes vegan. I hope you enjoy it too. If you're looking for more cookie recipes, be sure to check out some of the others on my site!

Ingredients

Here is your grocery list:

For the Cookies

• All-purpose flour (1 ¼ cups): This is the base ingredient for the cookie dough. All-purpose flour provides structure and helps bind the ingredients together. It gives the cookies their desired texture, not too dense but not too crumbly.
• Sugar (½ cup): Sugar adds sweetness to the cookies, making them more enjoyable to eat. It also helps with the texture, contributing to a tender crumb and a slightly crisp exterior.
• Baking powder (¼ teaspoon): Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise slightly while baking, giving them a softer and more delicate texture.
• Vegan butter (½ cup): Vegan butter serves as the fat component in the cookie dough. It adds richness and flavor to the cookies, as well as moisture. Using vegan butter ensures that the recipe remains dairy-free.
• Non-dairy milk (1 tablespoon): Non-dairy milk helps moisten the dough and adds richness without using dairy products.
• Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies, giving them a pleasant aroma and taste.

For the Icing

• Vegan butter (⅓ cup, melted): Melted vegan butter serves as the base for the icing, providing richness and a smooth texture. It helps the icing spread easily over the cookies and contributes to its creamy consistency.
• Powdered sugar (3 cups): Powdered sugar is the main sweetener in the icing. It creates a smooth and creamy texture and helps the icing set and harden once applied to the cookies.
• Water (3 tablespoons): Water is used to thin out the icing to the desired consistency.
• Vegan red food coloring: This ingredient adds color to the icing, giving it the signature pink hue typically associated with frosted animal cookies.
• Multi-colored sprinkles: Sprinkles are added as a decorative element to the cookies, giving them a fun and festive appearance. They add texture and a pop of color.

How to Make Frosted Animal Cookies (with pictures!)

• Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cookie Dough: Add flour, sugar and baking powder to a bowl and whisk together. Cut cold vegan butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter until the mixture is fine and pebbly. Stir in the nondairy milk and vanilla extract. Use your hands to pull the dough together into a ball. 
• Cut Cookies: Break the dough into two equal-sized pieces. Place one in between two sheets of wax paper. Roll out using a rolling pin until the dough is about ¼ inch thick. Cut into dough with 1-2 inch, animal-shaped cookie cutters. Use second ball of dough when ready.

• Chill: Place baking sheet with cookies into the refrigerator to chill for 10 minutes before baking. This will firm the cookies slightly and limit spread in the oven.
• Bake: Bake cookies on center rack of preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges.
• Icing: Prepare the icing while the cookies cool. In a large bowl whisk together the melted vegan butter, powdered sugar and water until totally smooth. Transfer half of the icing to a separate bowl. Add a single drop of vegan red food coloring to one of the bowls. Whisk until color is evenly distributed. You should have a nice pink color.
• Frost: Place the wire cooling rack with the cookies on top of a baking sheet to catch drips. One at a time, dunk cookies into the icing topside down. Alternate between colors so you have an equal number of pink and white cookies. Sprinkle on multi-colored vegan sprinkles before icing sets.

Tips for Making Perfect Animal Cookies

1. Use high quality vegan butter! This is a big one. You want to purchase a name brand vegan butter. Store brands and cheap margarines do not work well when baking!
2. Chill the dough: If you're having trouble rolling out the dough, chill it for at least 30 minutes to firm it up slightly. Chilled dough is easier to work with and helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
3. Roll out evenly: When rolling out the cookie dough, aim for an even thickness to ensure that the cookies bake uniformly. Using rolling guides or spacers can help achieve this.
4. Use proper cookie cutters: In order to gain that perfect, nostalgic look, you'll want to use the proper animal-shaped cookie cutters.
5. Keep it cool: If the dough becomes too warm or soft while rolling, place it back in the refrigerator to firm up before cutting out the shapes. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
6. Use parchment paper: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to ensure easy removal from the pan.
7. Pink icing color: Pink icing can be achieved with vegan red food coloring. Start by adding a single drop, stir thoroughly, then work your way up as needed. Different food coloring brands have different efficacies. This means the amount you need will vary from brand to brand.
8. Allow the icing to set: Let the cookies sit at room temperature for a while after icing them to allow the frosting to set completely. This ensures that the icing won't smear or smudge when handling or storing the cookies.

Best Ways to Serve Frosted Animal Cookies

While any cookie goes great with a glass of cold milk (cold almond or oat milk in my case!), there is something extra special about serving these vegan frosted animal cookies with hot chocolate. My Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate to be exact.

If you're looking for another dessert to pair these cookies with for a party or celebration of some kind I would recommend Vegan Funfetti Cupcakes all the way. Nothing beats big, sugary pops of color and these recipes deliver on both fronts.

How to Store Vegan Frosted Animal Cookies

Storing vegan frosted animal cookies properly is important to maintain their freshness and prevent the icing from smudging or becoming too soft. Here's how to store them effectively:

1. Allow the Icing to Set: Before storing the cookies, make sure the icing has had enough time to set and harden. Let the cookies sit at room temperature for a while after decorating to ensure the icing is firm.
2. Use an Airtight Container: Once the icing has set, transfer the cookies to an airtight container. Layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together and to protect the icing decorations.
3. Store at Room Temperature: If the ambient temperature is moderate and your home isn't too humid, you can store the cookies at room temperature. Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
4. Refrigerate if Necessary: If the weather is warm or humid, or if your kitchen tends to get hot, it's best to store the cookies in the refrigerator. Again, use an airtight container to prevent absorption of odors from other foods.
5. Freeze for Long-Term Storage: This is one of the few recipes I would recommend freezing frosted. The glaze is so thin that it isn't disrupted by the freezing and thawing process. Cookies will keep like this for up to 1 month.
6. Layer Carefully: When stacking the cookies in the container, be gentle to avoid damaging the icing decorations. If necessary, use multiple containers to prevent overcrowding and squishing of the cookies.

By following these storage tips, you can keep your vegan frosted animal cookies fresh and delicious for as long as possible.

If you make this recipe please tag @censoredbaker on Instagram!

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More Nostalgic/Childhood Recipes (made vegan!)

• Vegan Hostess Cupcakes
• Vegan Mint Chip Ice Cream
• Vegan Muddy Buddies
• Vegan Peppermint Patties
• Vegan Rice Krispie Treats