Elk and Other Animal Cut Out Cookies
Bring a touch of wilderness to your kitchen with these charming Elk and Other Animal Cut Out Cookies! Perfect for holiday baking or nature-themed celebrations, these cookies combine a tender, buttery dough with a hint of vanilla and almond for a flavor that’s both classic and irresistible. Designed to hold their shape, these cookies are ideal for using with fun animal-shaped cookie cutters, from majestic elk to playful forest critters. With just a few simple steps, including an easy-to-handle dough and a quick bake time, this recipe is both beginner-friendly and sure to delight kids and adults alike. Whether decorated with royal icing or enjoyed as-is, these animal cookies are a whimsical treat guaranteed to make any occasion extra special.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoons almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
Directions
Step 1
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 2
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat until combined and smooth.
Step 3
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
Step 5
Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) to firm up.
Step 6
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use elk-shaped cookie cutters or cutters in other animal shapes to cut out cookies.
Step 8
Transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Step 9
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
Step 10
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Step 11
If desired, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or sanding sugar to bring the animal shapes to life.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (864.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3894.9 |
| Total Fat 202.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 123.9g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g | |
| Cholesterol 712.7mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1766.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 478.7g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 9.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 202.1g | |
| Protein 45.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 48IU | 0% |
| Calcium 123.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 17.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 516.9mg | 0% |
Source of Calories