Make Your Own Animal Crackers

on August 16, 2009 at 8:50 AM

Animal Cracker Cookie Cutters From Sears, $8.09

Last week we made our own tasty Goldfish Crackers. Why not go for the whole zoo with this healthy recipe for Animal Crackers? (Thanks, Rkoloms!)

Wild Animal Crackers

1 cup whole oats

1 tablespoon yellow corn meal

3 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons finely chopped lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup softened unsalted butter

8-10 tablespoons buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 375F. Grind oats and corn meal in a blender or coffee grinder until very fine. Transfer to a mixing bowl, and add the honey, chopped lemon zest, salt, cinnamon, flour, and baking soda. Add the butter in pieces and cut into the mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. Add the buttermilk and knead well to form smooth dough.

Roll as thinly as possible and cut with various animal-shaped cookie cutters. Transfer to an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10-15 minutes, until light brown.

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.