Circus Animal Sugar Cookies
I’ve elevated a plain sugar cookie dough by mixing in multi-colored sprinkles and topping them with frosted circus animal cookies which in my opinion are the best packaged novelty cookies out there. They were my absolute favorite when I was growing up and let me just say that these Circus Animal Sugar Cookies are now my favorite grown up cookies. They easy to make, fun and obviously delicious!
If you want to store them for longer than 3 days, you can freeze the baked and cooled off cookies in a freezer safe bag or container and keep them in there for several months and just have them ready for whenever you’re in need of something sweet. Thaw overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature and you’ll be good to go. Future you will thank past you forever and ever.
Circus Animal Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- Mixer
- Baking sheets
- Cooling racks
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup multi-colored sprinkles
- 24 frosted circus animal cookies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add in the egg and vanilla and stir until well combined. Stir in the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the dough at this stage. Stir in the sprinkles.
- Using a small ice cream scoop (about 1 1/2 tablespoon size) portion out the dough into balls and roll between your hands, placing them on the prepared baking sheets. Make sure to leave about 2 to 3 inches of space in between each to allow the cookies to spread while baking. Bake until lightly golden brown around the edges, and the center of the cookies have set, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately place one frosted circus animal cookie on the center of each cookie, pressing down slightly. Allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheets, before transferring to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Enjoy!
