Gluten Free Animal Crackers
These cute and crunchy gluten-free animal crackers are super simple to whip up, making snack time a delightful adventure for both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend Use a high-quality blend for the best texture.
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum Omit if your blend already contains it.
- ¼ cup cornstarch See Recipe Notes.
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter At room temperature.
- 1 large egg At room temperature, beaten.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Icing and Decoration
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar See Recipe Notes.
- ½ teaspoon light corn syrup See Recipe Notes.
- 1 tablespoon lukewarm water Plus more as needed.
- Gel food coloring (I love AmeriColor brand) Optional.
- Rainbow nonpareils Optional.
Instructions
Making the Cookies
- Combine all your dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Mix in the wet ingredients until everything comes together in a malleable dough.
- Roll out the dough and cut it into animal shapes.
- Bake until golden brown.
Frosting and Decorating
- Once the cookies have cooled, pipe on some icing.
- Sprinkle with nonpareils or other toppings if desired.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container to maintain crunch.
- For longer storage, freeze for up to three months.
Notes
For the best results, chill the dough before rolling to maintain the shapes. Experiment with flavors and use colored icing for special occasions. You can make them gluten-free vegan by swapping the egg with a flaxseed egg.