Horton’s Elephant Ear Cookies are a delightful treat that perfectly capture the whimsy and fun of Dr. Seuss’s world. These charming cookies transform simple sugar cookie dough into an imaginative treat that kids can get involved with—who wouldn’t love creating their very own elephants in cookie form? Packed with sweet cinnamon sugar and adorned with “ears” made from slivered almonds, these cookies are wonderfully festive and a surefire hit for any gathering or as an after-school snack.

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

I first discovered this recipe while searching for fun snacks to make with my kids for a themed reading day. The joy on their faces as they shaped the dough and decorated their treats was priceless. Plus, they couldn’t wait to show off their creations to their friends! This recipe is not only easy to whip up but also gives kids the chance to engage their creativity. Trust me; you’ll want to give these Horton’s Elephant Ear Cookies a try!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Ready in just about 26 minutes, making it an easy snack option.
Irresistible Flavor: Sweet and spicy, with the warm notes of cinnamon and sugar.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Adorably shaped and decorated, these cookies are sure to impress.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for parties, playdates, or just a fun family activity.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Engage the little ones in both baking and decorating.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pre-made sugar cookie dough (24-oz roll): Convenient and time-saving. It’s soft and sweet, providing a perfect base for our elephant cookies. If you prefer homemade, use your favorite sugar cookie recipe.
Natural pink food coloring (beet powder mixed with water): Adds a playful pink hue to mimic Horto n’s colors. Feel free to use other colors for added fun!
Cinnamon sugar blend (2 tbsp cinnamon + ¼ cup white sugar): This blend adds a sweet, warm flavor that complements the cookies beautifully. You could use store-bought cinnamon sugar for convenience or mix your own.
Slivered almonds (¼ cup): These create delightful elephant ears and add a crunchy texture. Replace with mini chocolate chips or raisins for nut-free alternatives.

How to Make Easy Dr. Seuss Snacks for Kids

Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect cookie bake. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking, ensuring easy cleanup later!

Portion the Dough: Grab your 24-oz roll of pre-made sugar cookie dough and divide it into eight equal portions. Roll each piece into a smooth ball, which is a joy in itself. You’re halfway to creating whimsical treats!

Shape the Cookies: Gently press each dough ball into an oval shape about ¼-inch thick. This step is critical as it creates the base shape for Horton’s ears. Keep the ovals as even as possible for consistent baking.

Carve the Ears: With a butter knife, elegantly carve a gentle “C” curve along one long edge of each oval. This will be the elephant’s ear, giving that charming touch we all love. It’s a fun little task that kids can help with!

Apply the Pink Brush: Mix 2 teaspoons of beet powder with 1 teaspoon of water to create your natural pink food coloring. Lightly brush this mixture over the cookie surfaces for some fun color. It’s amazing how such a simple step can boost the cookies’ appearance!

Sprinkle the Sugar: Grab your cinnamon sugar blend and generously sprinkle it over the cookies, focusing particularly on the curved edge. This step adds flavor and enhances the ear effect. The contrast between the pink and the sugary top will be delightful!

Add the Almonds: Press 3-4 slivered almonds along the curved edge of each oval. This gives the cookies their lovely ear details. Kids will especially love this part; it adds a personal touch to each cookie!

Bake the Cookies: Place your baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges turn a barely golden shade. The aroma wafting through your kitchen during this time is utterly irresistible. Once done, let them cool slightly before moving them to a wire rack.

Storing & Reheating

These Horton’s Elephant Ear Cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to three days. For optimal freshness, place them in an airtight container. If you have leftovers, they can also be refrigerated for about a week, although you may want to enjoy them sooner! For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer for up to three months. To reheat, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. So delightful!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Be careful not to overwork the dough while shaping; this keeps the cookies tender.
Consider letting the cookie dough sit out for about 10 minutes before shaping, allowing it to soften slightly for easier handling.
For a fun twist, feel free to mix mini chocolate chips into the sugar cookie dough before shaping.
Test your oven’s heat by checking for doneness early; every oven is slightly different.

The combination of fun shapes, easy preparation, and delightful decoration makes these cookies an absolute must-try. I can’t wait for you and your kids to create your own versions of Horton’s Elephant Ear Cookies and make your own special memories together!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make my own sugar cookie dough?

Absolutely! A homemade sugar cookie dough adds a personal touch, and there are numerous recipes available online. Just follow the basic proportions for sugar, butter, and flour for a great base.

How long will these cookies stay fresh?

These cookies are best enjoyed within three days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If they last longer, they’re still good in the fridge for about a week!

Can I use a different color for the food coloring?

Definitely! While pink is fun for Horton, feel free to experiment with colors like blue or green. It adds a unique twist to each batch, and kids will enjoy it!

What can I substitute for nut allergies?

If nut allergies are a concern, simply skip the slivered almonds or replace them with mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or even edible nonpareils for a festive touch.

Now that you know how to create these delightful Horton’s Elephant Ear Cookies, don’t hesitate to gather your little ones and get started. The magic of Dr. Seuss will come alive in your kitchen, and I promise – the smiles will be even sweeter than the cookies!

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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, inspired by Horton’s Elephant Ear Cookies, feature tasty ingredients like sugar cookie dough and almonds. They’re fun to make and perfect for delightful snacks, offering a fresh twist with their vibrant appearance and sweet flavor.

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 your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Divide the sugar cookie dough into eight equal portions, rolling each portion into a smooth ball.
Flatten each ball into an oval shape, about ¼-inch thick.
Using a butter knife, carve a gentle “C” curve along one long edge of each oval cookie.
Mix 2 teaspoons of beet powder with 1 teaspoon of water and brush this mixture lightly over the surfaces of the cookies.
Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar blend, focusing particularly on the curved edge of each cookie.
Press 3-4 slivered almonds along the curved edge to resemble elephant ears.
Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden.

Notes

For a fun twist, consider adding colorful sprinkles after brushing the beet powder mixture.
Ensure the cookies are spaced well apart on the baking sheets to prevent sticking during baking.
Store uneaten cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.