Description
Circus Animal Cookies are soft, thick, and loaded with sprinkles and white chocolate chips, topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and a frosted animal cracker for a fun and festive treat. These delightful cookies combine the flavors of vanilla pudding and cake mix for extra tenderness and are perfect for parties or anytime you want a cheerful, colorful dessert.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup instant vanilla pudding mix (dry, not sugar-free or fat-free)
- 1 cup Funfetti cake mix or yellow cake mix (dry)
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sprinkles
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Decoration
- Frosted animal crackers
- Optional nonpareil sprinkles
Instructions
- Make the Cookies: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth, light, and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the baking soda, salt, instant vanilla pudding mix, cake mix, and all-purpose flour in a separate bowl.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat just until combined to avoid overmixing. The dough will be very thick. Gently fold in the sprinkles and white chocolate chips evenly.
- Chill: Scoop the dough into approximately 3-tablespoon (60g) balls. Cover the dough balls and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Place no more than 6 dough balls on each pan to allow space for spreading. Bake for 9 to 13 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers are slightly underbaked, about 11 minutes is ideal.
- Cool: Let the cookies rest on the pan for 3 to 4 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until completely smooth and creamy.
- Flavor: Add vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract and salt, mixing well to combine.
- Sweeten: Slowly add the powdered sugar while beating until the frosting is smooth and holds together. If the frosting seems too thick, add a small splash of milk or cream to loosen. If too thin, add more powdered sugar accordingly.
- Assemble: Transfer the cream cheese frosting into a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with the tip cut off.
- Frost: Pipe a swirl of frosting onto each completely cooled cookie.
- Decorate: Sprinkle nonpareil sprinkles over the frosting if using, then gently press a frosted animal cracker into the center of each cookie.
- Set: Allow the frosting to set before serving or stacking the cookies to preserve the decoration and texture.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- Chilling the dough is important for thick, soft cookies that hold their shape and texture while baking.
- Adjust baking times slightly depending on your oven, and check for lightly golden edges with slightly underbaked centers for optimal softness.
- If frosting is too soft for piping, chill briefly to firm it up.
- Use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest dough and frosting.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
