Animal Crackers {Chocolate and Cinnamon}

These are the result of what happens when there are days in a row of negative temperatures, even more negative with the wind chills, and my kids are forced to stay indoors away from all of the magnificent snow.  We bake.  This time we invited our sweet next door neighbor girls over to join us and together we all had a wonderful and cozy time rolling dough and making lots of cute animal crackers.  Coconut oil animal crackers to be exact.  And along with using coconut oil, these also are made with whole wheat pastry flour, and sweetened with coconut sugar and a touch of honey.  I like to think these are far more virtuous than any animal crackers bought in a store.  We had a hard time deciding whether we enjoyed the chocolate or cinnamon crackers more, so I’m including both versions here.  With more negative temps on the way,  it’s time to start thinking about what my next kiddo baking project is going to be…

Cinnamon Animal Crackers

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons dark molasses
• 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. In the bowl of stand mixer, combine flours, coconut sugar, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, coconut oil, honey, molasses, and milk. Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix together on medium speed until just combined. Form dough into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Gently knead the dough on a floured surface until the dough is smooth. Roll out dough on a well-floured surface until it is about 1/16-inch thick. Use mini animal cutters to cut into shapes and transfer to prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake 8-10 minutes until tops appear dry and edges start to brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Notes

adapted from King Arthur Flour

Chocolate Animal Crackers

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup dutch processed cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons dark molasses
• 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. In the bowl of stand mixer, combine flours, coconut sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, coconut oil, honey, molasses, and milk. Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix together on medium speed until just combined. Form dough into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Gently knead the dough on a floured surface until the dough is smooth. Roll out dough on a well-floured surface until it is about 1/16-inch thick. Use mini animal cutters to cut into shapes and transfer to prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake 8-10 minutes until tops appear dry. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Notes

adapted from King Arthur Flour