This animal cracker cake is made with 5 simple ingredients. I first came across this cookie cake trend on TikTok and thought it was a fantastic idea. This recipe yields a moist, simple and fun cake, perfect for birthday celebrations.
Why you’ll love this animal cracker cake:
-This cake takes 5 simple ingredients and flour isn’t one of them
-Perfect for birthday celebrations
-Fun alternative to baking a traditional cake
How to make a moist animal cracker cake:
What is an animal cracker cake?
An animal cracker cake is where we use animal crackers as the base of the cake. In this recipe we grind animal crackers down to a powder. The powder becomes our flour for the cake – therefore the cake tastes the same as this childhood favourite.
Ingredients:
Animal cracker cookies – In place of flour we are using animal cracker cookies. Once the cookies are ground they become our cake base acting like flour.
Whole milk – In this recipe I recommend whole milk at room temperature. When baking it is important to have all ingredients roughly around the same temperature, unless specifically stated otherwise. It helps for absorption reasons.
Vegetable oil – While I specifically use vegetable oil, feel free to use any oil available… however please note some other oils, such as olive oil, have their own flavour.
Vanilla extract – While the animal crackers hold their own flavour, adding additional vanilla helps enhance the original flavour of the cookies.
Eggs – White or brown large chicken eggs at room temperature are recommended. To bring my eggs to room temperature quickly, I fill a bowl with warm water then add the eggs for 10-15 mins.
Baking overview: animal cracker cake
To grind the animal crackers you will need a food processor, or blender. Smashing the cookies will not yield the proper consistency for the cake. Once the cookies are down to a fine powder it is ready to use.
Also, make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for proper absorption and mixing.
Animal cracker cake
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
- Hand or stand mixer
- 8×8 baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Spatuals
- Large Bowl
Ingredients
Animal cracker cake
- 2 bags animal cracker cookies (450g)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 cup whole milk room temp
- 1 1/2 tbsp vegtable oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 egg whisked room temp
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temp
- 3 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup + 1 tsp whole milk room temp
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 drop gel food coloring
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8×8 inch pan.
- In a food processor, add all animal cracker cookies (minus a few for decoration if you want). Pulse together until a fine powder is created.
- In a large bowl, add cookie powder and baking powder, mix with a fork. Next, add all other ingredients. With a spatula, mix until well combined.
- Pour into prepared pan and bake for 15-20 mins or until a skewer can be inserted and removed crumb free.
- Once done, let sit in pan for 15-20 mins, then remove and let cool on a wire rack.
Frosting
- Once cake is cool, start making icing.
- In a large bowl, or in a stand mixer, add butter and mix with the paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until the butter has creamed, occasionally scraping down the sides (3-4mins).
- Reduce speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar, scrape down sides to make sure mixture is combined well.
- Slowly add milk. The icing might look like it is separating, continue mixing and increase speed and it will come back together.
- Scrape down sides and add vanilla, food coloring, and salt. Increase the speed to high until the frosting looks smooth. Reduce speed to low and mix for 5 mins. The reduced speed will help eliminate air bubbles.
- Once done it is ready. Spread on cake and serve. Use any saved cookies to decorate.
- The cake is best stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Let come to room temperature when serving.
Amy Lee says
Delicious and so simple thank you