Cheesy Animals
Transform snack time into a delightful adventure with this fun and flavorful recipe for Cheesy Animals! These homemade animal-shaped crackers are irresistibly crisp and packed with the rich, savory goodness of sharp cheddar cheese, making them a snack that both kids and adults will devour. Made with a simple blend of pantry staples like all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, and a hint of paprika for a subtle smoky kick, these crackers are as easy to make as they are to enjoy. With just 20 minutes of prep time, you can roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to create adorable animal shapes that bake to perfection in under 15 minutes. Perfect for lunchboxes, party platters, or a homemade gift, these cheesy animal crackers bring a touch of whimsy—and a whole lot of flavor—to any occasion.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.25 cups All-purpose flour
- 8 ounces Shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Paprika
- 2 tablespoons Cold water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a food processor, combine all-purpose flour, shredded cheddar cheese, unsalted butter, salt, and paprika. Pulse until the mixture has a sandy texture.
Add 1 tablespoon of cold water at a time, pulsing after each addition, until the dough begins to hold together but isn’t overly sticky.
Transfer the dough to a clean work surface and shape it into a compact disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm up.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness.
Use animal-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough. Transfer the shapes to the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Gather dough scraps, re-roll, and cut more shapes until all the dough is used.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crackers are lightly golden and crisp.
Allow the cheesy animal crackers to cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
312 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.1 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.0 g | 65% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 61 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 406 mg | 18% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 21.2 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.8 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.1 g | ||
| Protein | 12.2 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 275 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 26 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
