The Uncoated, Original Animal Cracker
For many, the first image that comes to mind is the classic, slightly sweet, and crunchy animal cracker found in a paper box or a bag. These varieties, including the well-known Nabisco Barnum's Animals and Stauffer's Original Animal Crackers, have no coating at all. Instead of a glaze, their characteristic flavor and low-fat profile come from the ingredients baked into the dough itself. Common components include enriched flour, sugar, and high-fructose corn syrup for sweetness. Spices like mace and nutmeg are also key to creating the distinctively simple and comforting taste profile of the original Stauffer's crackers. This lack of a coating is what gives these crackers their crisp, dry texture, as the tiny holes, or "dockers," poked into the dough allow air to escape, preventing the cracker from puffing up too much during baking.
The Colorful World of Coated Animal Crackers
While the originals remain a staple, the marketplace is also filled with popular coated varieties, particularly the famously festive "circus animal cookies." These are a separate but related category, often mistaken for classic animal crackers. A prime example is the pink and white frosted circus animal cookies from Mother's. The coating on these is a confectionery glaze or royal icing, which hardens to a crisp, sweet shell. This is then topped with rainbow nonpareil sprinkles, adding both color and a textural crunch. For homemade versions, this glaze is typically a simple mixture of powdered sugar and a liquid like milk or water, along with food coloring. The result is a richer, softer cookie with a distinct sweetness, differentiating it from the drier cracker.
Specialty and Other Coatings
Beyond the well-known frosted circus cookies, other coated versions exist to suit various palates. For example, some brands offer a decadent chocolate-coated version, where a smooth layer of milk, dark, or white chocolate encases the animal shape. In other instances, you might find animal crackers covered in a yogurt-flavored confectionery coating, providing a tangy and sweet flavor profile. These specialty coatings are often found in seasonal assortments, premium products, or homemade recipes, expanding the range of options beyond the traditional baked cracker.
Comparison Table: Uncoated vs. Coated Animal Crackers
| Feature | Uncoated/Original | Coated/Frosted |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness Level | Mild and subtle | Rich and pronounced |
| Texture | Crunchy and crisp | Softer cookie with a sugary, hard shell |
| Ingredients | Flour, sugar, corn syrup, spices, minimal fat | Flour, sugar, icing/glaze (powdered sugar, milk, food coloring) |
| Brand Examples | Nabisco Barnum's Animals, Stauffer's Original | Mother's Circus Animal Cookies, Stauffer's Iced |
| Flavor | Simple, slightly spiced, classic | Very sweet, sometimes with added flavorings from frosting |
| Purpose | Simple, low-fat snack | Festive, dessert-like treat |
The Ingredients Behind the Flavor
The Original Recipe's Sweetness
For original animal crackers, the flavor is all about the dough. Ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, sugar, and natural flavorings are blended into the enriched flour base. The use of spices like mace and nutmeg in Stauffer's crackers is a unique element that distinguishes their flavor from other brands. The baking process then brings these flavors together into the crunchy, layered texture that has defined the snack for over a century.
The Anatomy of a Confectionery Coating
In contrast, the coated versions rely heavily on a sugary glaze. The base of this glaze is typically powdered sugar mixed with a small amount of liquid, such as milk, water, or egg white, to achieve the desired consistency. To create the classic pink and white colors, food coloring is added. For homemade versions, the ingredients can be adapted, perhaps using natural colorings from fruit juices or experimenting with different flavored extracts. This simple frosting is what transforms a crunchy animal-shaped cookie into a sweet, festive treat.
A Guide to Identifying Your Animal Cracker
Here’s a simple list to help you understand what you're eating:
- Plain and Crispy: If the animal cracker is dry and crunchy with a slightly beige color and no visible shine, it's likely an original, uncoated variety like Barnum's or Stauffer's. Its sweetness comes from the baked dough.
- Pink and White with Sprinkles: If your animal-shaped cookie is topped with a matte pink or white layer and rainbow nonpareils, it's a frosted "circus animal cookie," featuring a hardened confectionery glaze.
- Brown and Smooth: Animal crackers with a dark, smooth finish are likely coated in chocolate, common in specialty products and international brands.
- Tan and Smooth: A cracker with a tan or off-white, smooth finish might be covered in a yogurt-flavored confectionery coating.
Conclusion
The question of what are animal crackers coated with has a simple answer: it depends on the variety. The original, classic animal crackers are not coated at all, relying on the inherent sweetness of their dough for flavor. Meanwhile, popular offshoots like frosted circus animal cookies feature a sugary confectionery glaze, and other specialty versions may be covered in chocolate or yogurt coatings. By recognizing these key differences, you can better appreciate the unique qualities of each delightful animal-shaped treat. For those who want to create their own custom coatings, many recipes are available online for homemade frosted animal crackers.
