So I have been reminiscing through some old recipes and became all nostalgic when I came across my Copycat Treats recipe section which inevitably began the thought process of all the recipes that I still had on my list of things to recreate and just never got around to it. Until today, that is. Homemade Animal Crackers, to name just one the of many recipes that was created. Eeeeeee.
Yeah I said it, it’s one of many. Well, three to be exact–is that still considered “many”? It sure felt like it today in my kitchen. But these homemade animal crackers, friends! It’s blowing my mind right now and making me all sorts of crazy because they taste just like the real deal. These gluten, egg, and dairy-free animal crackers taste like you just brought them home from the store. If I could do a cartwheel right now I would…
I know what you are thinking, “She can’t even do a cartwheel?” (look, it’s a balance issue one of which I lack and it’s besides the point–I’m sensitive about that issue <I’m not really>) You heard me though, when I just confessed that I made for YOU the most tastiest homemade gluten, egg, and dairy-free Animal Crackers recipes right?? Listen to me, I’m so ecstatic that even my grammar is suffering.
Homemade Gluten-Free Vegan Animal Crackers
- Yield: 90 1x
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 c. vegan butter, room temp
- 3 Tbsp. unsweetened applesauce, room temp
- 1/3 c. granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. flaxseed meal + 2 Tbsp. warm water – thickened for 5 minutes)
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/3 c. Cara’s Gluten-Free Flour Blend (see below)
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- generous pinch of nutmeg (this is what makes these cookies utter perfection) and a less generous pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.
- In a large bowl, vigorously whip the butter with the back of your fork until fluffy (2 minutes). Add the applesauce and sugar and fluff until well-combined (another minute). Add the flax “egg” and vanilla and whisk until blended in.
- Add the dry ingredients slowly into the wet ingredients as you constantly stir it in until you create a nice cookie dough.
- Divide the dough into 3 smooth balls and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Between 2 more pieces of parchment paper, roll one ball of dough out to 1/4″ thickness. Using mini animal cookie cutters, cut out your cookies. If you’d like to make them a little more realistic, simply use a toothpick to create an eye for each animal.
- Place on the baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges begin to lightly brown.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack and devour.
Notes
Makes 90 animal crackers
Store in an air-tight container–will keep fresh for up to 1 week (yeah, like you are going to have them around that long).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10 cookies
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
Here is my all-purpose flour blend that I love and used for this recipe (I keep a big ol’ batch of this in a container in my pantry):
It’s the best blend I have experimented with, honest to the big G. I spent six months figuring it out so you know it’s good. Now if you want to you use your own blend or mix up the flours, feel free to do so–always understand that your results might be different. Nothing is guaranteed in this crazy world of gluten-free vegan baking. Need help with substitutions? Check out this Guide to Gluten Free Flours. Oh and I also used these adorable cookie cutters if you feel so inclined to use the same!
Surprise your little ones (or the little one who still remains within you) with these homemade animal crackers today! Oh, and do a cartwheel in my honor, would ya?
Desperately want to try this recipe for my little guy who is soy gluten and dairy intolerant, but he is allergic to flax… anything I can substitute for it? Thanks!
Try chia seed meal in its place or even aquafaba might work!
I need to sub cassava flour and olive oil? Can it be done? Thanks!
Can I make these with regular flour?
You definitely can but you just might need to decrease the amount of flour by a little bit.
Okay, sorry…one more question, I’m about to make these now but I am out of vegan butter, can I use coconut oil instead? Thanks!
Definitely should not be a problem! Might be a little crisper but still good none-the-less 🙂
Amazing!! We are new to the dairy free and gluten free diet and we are struggling to find replacement snacks for my kids. I don’t want them to feel left out at snack time at school and these animal crackers are a perfect substitute! We devoured them! Thank you so much!
★★★★★
That is exactly why I created them! So happy to you devoured them 🙂
Am I able to substitute vegan butter with coconut oil? Love the recipe btw!!
just made them, amazing. you are rocking my 3 year old gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegetarian world. thank you!
Whoops. Left out the link…http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/2011/05/cheap-and-easy-diy-cookie-cutters/
A search for homemade cookie cutters will bring up some great ideas if you don’t want to wait for special ones. I think I’ll try this one next. Instead of Super Glue I think I’ll try either punching holes & sewing them shut or a riviter. Good luck. Thanks for the recipe. “Can’t wait to try it”!
Great suggestion Lara, thank you so much!
Help!! I’m trying to make these and they are sticking horribly to my parchment paper. Also, I used an egg instead of the egg replacement. Does that make a difference?
-Laura
Hi Laura! Yes, the egg has added more liquid to your crackers which is why you are having troubles with stickiness. Anytime you make a change to a gf/vegan recipe your results can/will alter greatly. So fickle! Simply form back into a ball, place in the fridge to chill for 10 min and sprinkle flour liberally on the bottom of the parchment paper and the top of the dough once you are ready to roll it out again. That should fix the problem.
Stop it. You are insanely brilliant, you! I love these. Great recipe.
I will NOT stop 🙂 No really, I can’t. I’m obsessed. I need help… ha! Thank you for the comment Beth! xo
These look adorable Cara! 🙂 I’m sure they are pretty addictive because of their size, hee hee.
xo
Thank you so much Gemma! You are right–anything small and mini = addictive. xo
I just did a cartwheel. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Thank you! At least one of us can do some sort of gymnastics 🙂
Thank you for the sweet shout out, Cara!! It has been an absolute pleasure working together and I’m excited about our future collaborations! 😉
As for the animal crackers… I will definitely be making these! A true classic! Also curious to know where you got these adorb cookie cutters!!
Uh you are SO welcome!! I just adore you. Here is the link for the cutters too: http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Noahs-Metal-Cookie-Cutters/dp/B00076TPN0
xo
Maybe you did and I’m not seeing it but where did you get the cutters? I would love to make these but I don’t have any that small. Thanks.
I didn’t included it, Lymie but I just did. Here is a link as to which ones I used: http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Noahs-Metal-Cookie-Cutters/dp/B00076TPN0 xo!
I adore animal crackers and can go through entire bags of those crappy kinds from the drugstore…I obviously need to make these!
These are a better version of those store-bought crackers so yes, you NEED to make these! xo
I am so excited about these! I had made your circus animal cookies before a few times but that’s how I discovered I don’t do so well with the xantham gum. 🙂 Can’t wait to try these and the chocolate bears! I finally got the cookie cutter, now just need the time to make them!
You have your to-do list growing 😉 Can’t wait to hear what you think…
I just now cancelled my safari, no heat, no guns just the huge bonus of edible. c’mer l’il cracker, I’M gonna eat you.
BAHA, I love the “C’mer lil cracker”!! You so funny L.