According to Wikipedia “An animal cracker is a particular type of small cracker or cookie, baked in the shape of an animal, usually an animal either at a zoo or circus, such as a lion, a tiger, a bear, or an elephant. The most common variety is light-colored and slightly sweet, but darker chocolate-flavored and colorful frosted varieties are also sold.”
Among the OU’s certified Animal Cracker brands are Stauffer’s, the first company to make of animal crackers in 1871 at the baker in York PA. Other kosher brands include, Keebler, Kirkland Signature, Gerbers and Mother’s.
National Animal Crackers Day on April 18th each year celebrates a childhood favorite. A box of these sweet animal-shaped crackers not only provided a delicious snack, but they also offered a little entertainment, too!
The celebration brings us back to our childhood memories and the many boxes of Animal Crackers we shared with our friends. Animal Crackers refer to a type of small cookie baked in the shape of circus or zoo animals, such as a lion, tiger, bear or elephant. The most common variety is light-colored and slightly sweet. However, makers also offer chocolate and frosted varieties, too. Even though animal crackers are made with layered dough, much like crackers, they are sweet like cookies.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAnimalCrackersDay
It’s a perfect day to celebrate that childhood memory again. Pick up some animal crackers at your local grocery store and share them with family and friends. Make your favorite dessert using animal crackers. They’re great for dipping or adding to a fruit tray, too. Share your photos of your Animal Crackers Day celebration using #NationalAnimalCrackersDay.
Do you want to play with your animal crackers? Play a little Animal Cracker Bingo at snack time. Download and print as many of the blank cards as you need. Most brands of animal crackers have 13 different kinds of animals. To play bingo, everyone will need about two of every kind of animal. (Sounds a little familiar, doesn’t it?) Then they randomly place their animal crackers on their bingo card. As the animals are called, they take the correct cracker off the card and snack! The empty space represents the called animal. The first person to get a bingo wins! Add yogurt for dipping while the game plays on.