Classic Snacks Made From Scratch Animal Crackers Recipe

Ingredients

2 c. unbleached all-purpose four

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. ground mace

1/4 tsp. ground allspice

tsp. ground ginger

5 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 c. vegetable shortening

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1Whisk flour, baking powder, mace, allspice, and ginger together in a medium bowl; set aside.Step 2In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, shortening, and sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until shiny, fluffy, and creamy. Add egg and vanilla and stir on low speed until fully incorporated. Gradually add flour and spice mixture until fully incorporated into soft dough.Step 3Pat dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour; flavor of dough improves as it’s chilled, so chill overnight for best results. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat liners.Step 4Divide chilled dough into 4 pieces. On a floured surface, gently roll one of the pieces to a 1/4 to 1/2-inch thickness. (Keep remaining pieces refrigerated.) Use floured cookie cutters to stamp out shapes (lions and tigers and bears?) and carefully transfer cookies to a prepared baking sheet, using a cookie spatula or turner if necessary. Save scraps for re-rolling.Step 5Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until cookies are puffy and golden brown at edges. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough. Scraps can be re-rolled once to make additional cookies.Step 6Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.

From: Classic Snacks Made from Scratch © 2013 by Casey Barber Buy the book