Horton’s Elephant Ear Cookies are a delightful treat that invite a little whimsy into your kitchen, making snack time a celebration. These charming cookies, inspired by the lovable Dr. Seuss characters, combine the soft sweetness of sugar cookies with a touch of cinnamon and a playful appearance that resembles elephant ears. Perfect for themed parties, lunchboxes, or just because, they bring joy to every bite.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Easy Dr. Seuss Snacks for Kids
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Easy Dr. Seuss Snacks for Kids

It’s amazing how something so simple can evoke such nostalgia. I remember the first time I made these cookies for a children’s gathering, watching the kids’ eyes light up at their fun shapes and vibrant colors. With just a few everyday ingredients, they offer an easy way to infuse some Seussian joy into your baking. If you’re looking for kid-friendly, themed snacks that will bring smiles all around, you’ve hit the jackpot! Give these cookies a try, and I’m sure you’ll love making them as much as your little ones will enjoy eating them.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Takes only about 26 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy days.
Irresistible Flavor: The delightful blend of cinnamon and sugar gives these cookies a warm, cozy taste that everyone adores.
Eye-Catching Appeal: With their playful elephant ear shapes and pink coloring, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Flexible Serving: Ideal for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday party, afternoon snack, or a whimsical breakfast treat.
Diet-Friendly Options: You can use alternatives like gluten-free dough to accommodate dietary needs without sacrificing taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pre-made sugar cookie dough (24-oz roll): This saves time and ensures a perfect texture without any hassle.
Natural pink food coloring: A mix of beet powder and water adds a fun twist and is a healthier coloring option.
Cinnamon sugar blend (2 tbsp cinnamon + ¼ cup white sugar): This mixture creates a sweet and spicy topping that enhances the cookie’s flavor.
Slivered almonds (¼ cup): These add a crunchy texture and detail, mimicking the gentle curves of an elephant’s ear.

How to Make Easy Dr. Seuss Snacks for Kids

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it’s heating, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

Divide Dough: Take your pre-made sugar cookie dough (24 oz roll) and divide it into eight equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball, perfect for shaping into the signature ear.

Flatten Dough: Gently press each ball into an oval shape about ¼-inch thick. The key here is to create a surface that’s easy to manipulate later on.

Carve Shapes: With a butter knife, carve a gentle “C” curve along one long edge of each oval. This will give the cookies their fun elephant ear look.

Color the Cookies: In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of beet powder with 1 teaspoon of water. Brush this natural pink dye lightly over the surface of each cookie. This not only adds color but also a little extra flair!

Sprinkle Topping: Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar blend (2 tablespoons cinnamon + ¼ cup white sugar) over the cookies, particularly focusing on the curved edge where they look most like elephant ears.

Add Almond Details: While the cookies are still uncooked, press 3-4 slivered almonds along the curved edge of each cookie. This will represent the finer details of the elephant’s ear and add a delicious crunch.

Bake to Perfection: Finally, bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are barely golden and fragrant.

Storing & Reheating

You can keep these delightful Horton’s Elephant Ear Cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for about 3 days. If you prefer to prolong their freshness, refrigerate them in a sealed container for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes, just until warmed through and slightly soft. Keep in mind that the texture may change after freezing, but a brief warming will help refresh their flavor.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Properly divide the cookie dough to ensure even baking and uniform shape.
Use a gentle hand when shaping and carving to prevent cracking.
Feel free to add additional sprinkles or imaginative toppings before baking for more fun!
If you want to give these cookies a twist, try adding some mini chocolate chips or colorful sprinkles to the dough for a different look and taste.
Remember that baking times may vary slightly based on your oven; keep an eye on them!
For a fun make-ahead option, you can shape the cookies ahead of time and freeze them before baking. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time when you’re ready to bake.

There’s something special about baked goods that can transport us back to our childhoods. Here, Horton’s Elephant Ear Cookies not only deliver deliciousness but also a wave of nostalgia tied to the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. They are easy to whip up and perfect for sharing, making them a delightful addition to any gathering. I encourage you to get creative — perhaps adding your own colorful sprinkles or varying the shape for different animal ears. Enjoy making these with your little ones and watch their faces light up with every bite!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the pre-made sugar cookie dough with a gluten-free version available at your local store, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

What can I use instead of slivered almonds?

If you have nut allergies or just prefer not to use almonds, you can substitute with mini chocolate chips or chopped dried fruit for added color and sweetness.

How can I make these cookies vegan?

To create a vegan version, look for egg-free and dairy-free pre-made cookie dough. You can also use plant-based milk and a vegan butter alternative in your dough.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prepare the dough, shape it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re baking from frozen!

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Easy Dr. Seuss Snacks for Kids

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Author: Anna
Prep Time: N/A
Cook Time: 26 minutes
Total Time: 0 hours
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Easy Dr. Seuss Snacks for Kids are a delightful treat made with simple ingredients like sugar cookie dough and slivered almonds. Perfect for a fun afternoon snack or a whimsical dessert, these cookies are quick to prepare and offer a burst of flavor that kids will love!

Ingredients

pre-made sugar cookie dough (24-oz roll)
natural pink food coloring (beet powder mixed with water)
cinnamon sugar blend (2 tbsp cinnamon + ¼ cup white sugar)
slivered almonds (¼ cup)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Divide the dough into eight equal portions and roll each into smooth balls.
Flatten each ball into an oval shape about ¼-inch thick.
Use a butter knife to carve a gentle “C” curve along one long edge of each oval.
Mix 2 tsp of beet powder with 1 tsp of water and brush it lightly over the cookie surfaces.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar blend generously, focusing on the curved edge.
Press 3-4 slivered almonds along the curved edge for decoration.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges are barely golden.