Nutrition Diet: What are frosted animal crackers made of?

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 40 million packages of Barnum's Animals Crackers are sold each year, but their frosted counterparts offer a much sweeter, and more processed, profile. Understanding what are frosted animal crackers made of reveals a mix of enriched flour, sugar, and vegetable oil, pushing them into the category of occasional treats rather than a dietary staple.

Quick Summary

Frosted animal crackers contain enriched flour, high sugar levels from both the cookie and icing, and various oils. Their nutritional value is low, with minimal fiber and protein, and high saturated fat from processed ingredients.

Key Points

Refined Ingredients: Frosted animal crackers are primarily composed of enriched flour, sugar, and processed vegetable oils, which provide little to no nutritional benefit.
High Sugar Content: A significant portion of the calories comes from sugar, both in the cookie and the sugary, colorful icing.
Higher Saturated Fat: Compared to plain varieties, the frosted version contains more saturated fat, primarily from palm kernel oil used in the icing and cookie base.
Limited Nutritional Value: These are not a source of significant protein, fiber, or essential vitamins, making them a high-calorie, low-nutrient snack.
Choose Moderation: Due to their processed nature and high sugar content, frosted animal crackers should be consumed as an occasional treat within an otherwise balanced and healthy diet.
Healthier Alternatives Exist: For a more nutritious snack, consider homemade versions using whole-grain flour and natural sweeteners, or opt for plain, less-processed crackers.

Unpacking the Ingredients: What Exactly Are Frosted Animal Crackers Made Of?

Behind the whimsical animal shapes and colorful sprinkles, a standard package of frosted animal crackers contains a predictable mix of refined and processed ingredients. While recipes can vary by brand, a look at common labels reveals a consistent formula for both the cracker base and the signature sugary frosting.

The Cracker Base

The foundation of the cookie is a classic combination of flour, sugar, and fat. Manufacturers typically use a dough that straddles the line between a traditional cracker and a sweet cookie.

Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid): This is the main component, providing the cookie's structure. Enrichment means vitamins and minerals removed during processing have been added back, but it remains a refined carbohydrate source.
Sugar and High Fructose Corn Syrup: Sweetness is a key feature, and it comes from multiple sources. High fructose corn syrup is a low-cost sweetener found in many commercially produced snacks.
Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel Oil, Soybean Oil, Palm Oil with TBHQ): Various vegetable oils provide a tender crumb and longer shelf life. The inclusion of palm and palm kernel oils contributes to the high saturated fat content. TBHQ is a synthetic antioxidant used for freshness.
Leavening Agents (Baking Soda): These are used to create the light and crispy texture of the crackers.
Additives (Salt, Soy Lecithin, Whey): Other ingredients like salt for flavor, soy lecithin as an emulsifier to prevent separation, and whey (a milk derivative) are commonly included.

The Signature Frosting and Sprinkles

The characteristic pink and white coating and colorful nonpareils are what distinguish frosted crackers from their plain counterparts. The frosting is a simple, sugar-based icing that hardens to a crisp shell.

Sugar (Powdered/Confectioner's): The bulk of the frosting is pure sugar.
Artificial Flavors: Vanilla or other artificial flavorings are added to give the frosting its taste.
Artificial Colors (Red 40 Lake, Blue 1, Yellow 5, etc.): The vibrant colors come from synthetic food dyes.
Confectioner's Glaze and Carnauba Wax: These ingredients give the sprinkles their shiny coat.

Nutritional Profile: A Look at the Numbers

When considering frosted animal crackers within a balanced diet, it's important to understand their nutritional profile. They are best viewed as a high-calorie, high-sugar treat with limited nutritional value. For a single serving of approximately 8 cookies, you can expect:

Calories: 160
Total Fat: 7.5g (10% DV)
Saturated Fat: 5g (25% DV)
Sodium: 80mg (3% DV)
Total Carbohydrates: 21.7g (8% DV)
Total Sugars: 12.7g
Protein: 0.9g

These values illustrate a high concentration of calories from fat and sugar, with minimal contributions of protein and virtually no dietary fiber. The high saturated fat content, particularly from palm kernel oil, is a significant consideration.

A Comparative Look: Frosted vs. Plain Animal Crackers

Comparing the nutrition of frosted and plain animal crackers highlights the impact of the added icing and sprinkles. This is a crucial distinction for making informed dietary choices.


Feature	Frosted Animal Crackers	Plain Animal Crackers	Key Takeaway
Appearance	Bright pink/white icing, rainbow sprinkles	Plain, light-colored cookie	Frosted crackers are visually more appealing due to added sugars and artificial colors.
Core Ingredients	Enriched flour, sugar, palm/soybean oil	Enriched flour, sugar, canola/soybean oil	Both are processed snacks, but oil types may differ slightly.
Sugar Content	High; additional sugar from icing	Low to moderate; only sweetened dough	Frosted varieties have significantly more sugar per serving due to the frosting.
Fat Content	Higher, especially saturated fat	Lower overall fat	The candy-coated icing increases both total and saturated fat.
Fiber	Negligible	Often negligible	Neither snack is a significant source of dietary fiber.
Texture	Crunchy cookie with a sweet, crisp icing shell	Denser, drier, more cracker-like crunch	The frosting affects both the flavor and mouthfeel.

Making Healthier Choices and Enjoying in Moderation

As with any treat, mindful consumption is key. For those looking to reduce their intake of processed ingredients, high fructose corn syrup, and excessive sugar, consider these strategies:

Read Labels Carefully: Always check the ingredient list and nutrition panel. Compare different brands, as some may offer versions with slightly different formulations.
Opt for Plain: If you want the classic animal cracker flavor without the excess sugar and saturated fat from the frosting, plain versions are a better choice.
Explore Healthier Alternatives: A variety of animal-shaped snacks are available, including those made with whole grains, organic ingredients, or less sugar.
Try Homemade Versions: For a healthier, from-scratch option, consider making your own animal cookies using whole-wheat flour, less sugar, and natural colorings like beet or fruit juice powder for the icing.
Control Portions: When enjoying frosted animal crackers, stick to the recommended serving size to keep sugar and calorie intake in check.

Conclusion

Ultimately, what are frosted animal crackers made of is a combination of refined carbohydrates, multiple forms of sugar, processed fats, and artificial additives. While they hold a nostalgic spot in many people's hearts and are fine for an occasional indulgence, they are not a nutrient-dense food. Prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods is essential for a healthy diet, leaving colorful frosted animal crackers as a special-occasion treat rather than a pantry staple.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the frosting and sprinkles. Plain animal crackers lack the additional layer of sugary icing and artificial colors, which adds a significant amount of sugar and saturated fat to the frosted version.

No, frosted animal crackers are not considered a healthy snack. They are high in sugar and fat, low in fiber and protein, and made with processed ingredients, making them a high-calorie, low-nutrient treat.

The high sugar content comes from both the cookie dough itself, which often includes high fructose corn syrup, and the thick layer of icing, which is primarily made from powdered sugar.

While many brands have removed partially hydrogenated oils, some processed vegetable oils like palm kernel oil can contain small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats created during high-temperature processing. Some emulsifiers are also made from hydrogenated fats, which may contain low levels of trans fat.

Enriched flour is refined flour that has had some of the B vitamins and iron that were lost during processing added back in. However, it is still a processed carbohydrate and lacks the fiber and many nutrients found in whole-grain flour.

Yes, it is possible to make a healthier version at home by using whole-grain flour, reducing the sugar content, and using natural food colorings and flavors in your homemade icing.

For a healthier snack, consider alternatives like plain animal crackers, fruit, nuts, whole-grain crackers with cheese or peanut butter, or yogurt. These options generally offer more nutrients and less sugar.

The distinction can be subtle and sometimes depends on the brand. Generally, the frosted or iced versions, like Mother's and Stauffer's, are often marketed as cookies because of their added sweetness and rich toppings, while plainer versions retain the 'cracker' name.