Pin It Fun, jumbo-sized elephant-shaped sugar cookies, perfect for sharing at parties or as a delightful treat for kids.
I first served these biscuits at a family gathering and the kids absolutely loved decorating their own elephant cookies.
Ingredients
- Dough: 250 g unsalted butter, softened, 200 g granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 420 g all-purpose flour, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt
- Decoration: 200 g powdered sugar, 2–3 tbsp milk, Food coloring (gray, pink, and black, gel or liquid), Edible candy eyes or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Mix eggs and vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Whisk dry ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill dough:
- Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes if time allows (for easier rolling).
- Roll out dough:
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1 cm thickness.
- Cut cookies:
- Use a large elephant-shaped cookie cutter (or create a template from paper) to cut out cookies.
- Arrange cookies:
- Transfer the cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make icing:
- Mix powdered sugar with milk until smooth and spreadable. Divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
- Decorate cookies:
- Decorate cooled cookies with icing, using gray for the body, pink for ears, and black for details. Add edible eyes or chocolate chips for eyes. Let icing set before serving.
Pin It My family enjoys decorating these giant elephant cookies together especially during holidays which creates wonderful memories.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, Electric mixer or wooden spoon, Rolling pin, Elephant-shaped cookie cutter or paper template and sharp knife, Baking sheets, Parchment paper, Wire rack, Small bowls and brushes for icing
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy). Check decorations for additional allergens. Double-check food coloring and candy eyes for allergen statements.
Nutritional Information
Calories 340 Total Fat 14 g Carbohydrates 50 g Protein 4 g per serving
Pin It With a bit of preparation these biscuits are a fun and tasty treat that everyone will enjoy.
Recipe FAQs
- → How can I shape the elephant cookies without a cutter?
You can print an elephant template and carefully cut around it with a sharp knife after rolling out the dough to the desired thickness.
- → What type of icing works best for decorating?
A simple powdered sugar and milk icing works well. Divide and tint it with gel or liquid food coloring for vibrant decoration.
- → Can I add extra flavors to the dough?
Yes, adding a pinch of ground cinnamon or almond extract enriches the dough's flavor without overpowering the sweetness.
- → How do I ensure cookies bake evenly?
Make sure cookies are spaced well on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake at 180°C (350°F) until edges are lightly golden.
- → Are these suitable for special diets?
They are vegetarian but contain wheat, eggs, and dairy, so they are not suitable for gluten-free or vegan diets.