Everybody loves Animal Crackers! What if almost everybody could actually eat them? Wouldn’t life be a better place? This yummy gluten free animal crackers recipe makes that happy dream a reality!
These treats are perfect any day of the year, of course, especially for Back to School! Since these are gluten free, nut free and easily vegan, they are eminently share-able. I think I hear your favorite lunch box calling for them now!
If you’re looking for more great gluten free Back to School recipes, plus tips on 504 plans, school lunches, birthday parties, dorm life and more, grab a copy of my Back to School Gluten Free e-Book!
The origin of this iconic cookie (let’s call a spade a spade — these are way more than just “crackers”) harkens back to the turn of the century. And by that I mean, the turn of LAST century!
Animal crackers were introduced by the National Biscuit Company (NABISCO) in 1902, apparently on April 18th. Later that year the now familiar “Barnum’s Animals” boxes with strings were released in time to be hung on Christmas trees as children’s gifts. On the 100th anniversary of the “birth” of animal crackers, NABISCO added the koala bear to its die-cut lineup.
With this homemade gluten free Animal Crackers recipe, you can pick whatever animal cookie cutters you prefer, or grab a set of detailed cutters made just for this purpose!
Personally, I like to stick to the classics, but then again, Penguins are pretty cute.
Have fun rolling, cutting and eating a yummy lion or giraffe again! And maybe make a few extra to share – everybody loves an animal cracker!
(BTW, don’t be put off by the “3 hours” listed to make these cookies — that’s just if you want the dough to be less sticky, you’ll refrigerate it. It only takes a few minutes to through these ingredients together to make the dough, then YOU decide if you can wait or not!)
Gluten Free Animal Crackers Recipe
Everybody loves animal crackers! Now there's even more to love with this homemade gluten-free animal crackers recipe that's also allergy-friendly!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup palm or vegetable shortening (4 Tbs.)
- 3 Tbs. brown sugar or coconut palm sugar
- 2 Tbs. coconut nectar or agave nectar or honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 egg (room temperature) or substitute like applesauce or Ener-G Egg Replacer
- 1 1/4 cups gfJules™ All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. cream of tartar
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg (optional, but classic)
Instructions
Cream the shortening, sugar and nectar or honey well. Add lemon juice and egg and stir to mix.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, then add to the sugar mixture. Beat just until fully integrated. The dough should hold together in a ball and not be dry or crumbly.
Refrigerate dough for 2 hours or overnight, to make it less sticky.
Preheat oven to 325° F convection (preferred) or 350° F static.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Prepare a clean counter or pastry mat by sprinkling more gfJules™ Flour on the surface. Dip cutters into more gfJules™ flour to coat well.
Roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thickness – try not to over-work or warm the dough while rolling. Use cutters to form animal shapes, depressing plungers of cutters with detail, if using. If any dough sticks in the plungers, use a toothpick between cookies to remove dough, then dip the cutters in gfJules Flour again.
Bake in preheated oven for 7-9 minutes, removing when the edges begin to lightly brown.
Makes 60-70 animal crackers.
Notes
P.S. – thanks to Rebecca M. who shared that she has been using cutters like these to make graham cracker animal crackers with my gfJules™ Gluten Free Graham Cracker Mix – another easy, great snack idea!
Recommended Products
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Big Tree Organic Coconut Nectar - Unrefined Sweetener 11.5oz Bottle (Pack of 2) Select Flavor Below (Amber) -
Big Tree Farms Organic Brown Coconut Sugar, Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Low Glycemic, Unrefined and Fair Trade, Natural Sweetener, 2 Pound (Packaging May Vary)
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Ener-G Egg Replacer -- 16 oz
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gfJules Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
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R&M International 0434 Party Animals Pastry/Cookie/Fondant Stamper Set, Assorted Designs, 8-Piece Set
Theses are better than the first recipe I tried, but I used Kari instead if the sugars. I don’t tolerate honey. Also left out the lemon juice for the same reason. Any ideas to give them more taste.
Do you think this recipe would work with an embossed rolling pin?
Yes, if it’s floured really well! Good luck!
~jules
How cute are these!!! I’m gonna have to get some cream of tartar. Can’t believe I’ve never baked with it haha
LOL! Animal crackers and snickerdoodles — you gotta have the cream of tartar!!!
~jules
Jules these are the cutest cookies. Even my big kids would love me putting these in their lunchbox!
Aw, thanks Nicole! I think Animal Crackers never go out of style!
~jules
I seldom make a comment about anything but this recipe demands it. First, I thought “no way” would that little ball of dough make 60 crackers, but it did. And the most amazing thing… they tasted exactly like the store bought ones in the little boxes! Except just a little bit better, as they were so light and delicate. The lemon juice & nutmeg really nail the flavor and are a must.
I sprung for the cookie cutters you listed (with the plunger) and boy am I glad I did! I’m not very good at roll out cookies and most cookie cutters get the best of me but these were no fail. Even with the tiny detailing they popped out easily!
Now my confession… I didn’t make these for any kids.. in fact I’m 60+, I just love animal crackers and being gluten intolerant missed them. These are the bomb with a cup of coffee in the morning, lol!!! Gratefullly, a loyal Jules fan.
LOL Tuck, I’m so happy you did take the time to leave a comment! I’m thrilled that you went for it and made the recipe with those cutters despite your skepticism. So glad it paid off deliciously!!!
~jules
These are too cute! I can’t wait to serve them at my next get together.
So glad you’ll be making use of the recipe, Kelly! They really are super cute!
~jules
is there a replacement for coconut nectar? my daughter is allergic to all nuts and seeds.
Absolutely, Lisa! Coconut nectar is easily swapped with agave nectar, honey or even maple syrup. They all have similar sweetness and consistency and act as humectants in recipes to help hold moisture in. Enjoy!
~jules
These are just the cutest! Wish I still had wee ones that loved animal crackers.
I bet older ones would still love animal kwackers!!!
~jules
Thank you so much! I’ve been looking for a gf recipe for these for a long time. I’m allergic to eggs. Any replacement ideas?
Glad it sounds like this will be a recipe you can use, Marlea! About the egg sub, I haven’t had a chance to try one yet in this recipe (my oven was broken so I had to make this recipe over and over exactly as I’d written it to get the times and temps right!), but you could certainly try Ener-G egg replacer here. If the dough seems too wet with it, just add some more of my flour; if it’s too dry, add milk or water. The dough should hold together in a ball and be a little sticky, but not a lot.
Thanks for answering so fast Jules! I will see what I can come up with!
These are adorable!
Thanks, Vicky! I hope you get to make them for yourself!!
The one thing my daughter asks for that she remembers from her gluten days. Animal crackers. Thank you so much, Jules!
I’m so happy you’ll be able to give her animal crackers again, Shelly!
Is there any other flour that can be used Coconut/Almond?
We don’t eat Corn.
I was so excited then deflated…
Hi Liese – I don’t know about other flours in this recipe, since I developed the recipe using my own flour blend and all flours behave so differently. If I had to guess, I would think that a blend with almond flour could work in this recipe, with some added xanthan gum, but you’ll have to try and play with it. Since all gluten-free flours and blends produce such different results, it’s impossible for me to test every combination. Another option for you is to make a corn-free blend with recipes in my book, Free for All Cooking. That blend should behave in all my recipes.
My first grandchild is due in August, so this is going on the future bake list. Thanks!
Congratulations Laurie!!! You’re good to be making your list so far in advance!
This is from my daughter in Germany:
You might want to tell Jules she’s now lost all her audience in Germany now that I cannot view her site. I was looking at not only referencing her blog on mine, but sharing her recipes on google hangouts.
Now she has a notice that says users in my country are not allowed to have access to her blog.
Hi Linda – I’ve never seen this notice. Can your daughter tell me what she was doing when it came up or take a screenshot? I wonder whether it’s a network issue or whether it’s WordPress. Any details she can provide will be helpful for us to try to figure out where that is coming from. Thanks much!
Wow! I can’t wait to make these for my almost 21 year old wheat allergic son! He will love these! Where can i get some awesme cookie cutters? Btw, thank you Jules!
http://www.amazon.com/NY-CAKE-Animal-Plunger-Cutter/dp/B0073JBZA0/ref=pd_luc_sbs_02_01_t_lh?ie=UTF8&psc=1
hope this helps. I am getting myself a set of these too.
Hi Crystal – good find! I found another set on Amazon and linked it from the blog post. Unfortunately the ones I have from Williams-Sonoma are not made anymore. Great that there are other brands, though!
I’m so glad you’ll be putting the recipe to good use, Lori! I have a link on the cutters in the recipe to a set you can purchase on Amazon. Also, Crystal has a link in her comment. Hope you get to try them soon!
Oh my goodness, Jules! Those look incredible! Can’t wait to share with folks.
Shirley
Thanks, Shirley! They’re quite fun!