Save It Fun, jumbo-sized elephant-shaped sugar cookies, perfect for sharing at parties or as a delightful treat for kids.
I first made these cookies for a family gathering and they were an instant hit. Everyone loved the fun elephant shape and the sweet decoration.
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
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Step 3:
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Step 4:
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 5:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Step 6:
- Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes if time allows (for easier rolling).
- Step 7:
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1 cm thickness.
- Step 8:
- Use a large elephant-shaped cookie cutter (or create a template from paper) to cut out cookies.
- Step 9:
- Transfer the cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart.
- Step 10:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Step 11:
- For the icing: Mix powdered sugar with milk until smooth and spreadable. Divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
- Step 12:
- 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.
Save It These cookies quickly became a family favorite. Decorating them together created cherished 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.
Save It These elephant cookies bring fun and flavor to any occasion with simple preparation and delightful decoration.
Recipe FAQs
- → What makes these cookies jumbo-sized?
The cookies are cut using a large elephant-shaped cutter, producing oversized shapes perfect for sharing and festive presentation.
- → Can the dough be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling makes handling easier and helps maintain the shapes during baking.
- → What ingredients add flavor to the dough?
Butter, vanilla extract, and sugar create a rich, sweet base, with optional additions like ground cinnamon or almond extract enhancing aroma and taste.
- → How is the icing colored and applied?
Powdered sugar mixed with milk forms the base icing, which is divided and tinted using food coloring to decorate the cookies with details like body, ears, and eyes.
- → Are there alternative methods to shape the cookies without a cutter?
If an elephant-shaped cutter isn't available, a paper template can be used to cut the shapes with a sharp knife before baking.
- → What are suitable pairings when serving these sweet treats?
Milk, lemonade, or light tea complement the cookies well, enhancing the overall tasting experience.