Recipe: Homemade Animal Cracker Cookies (using whole wheat flour and wheat germ)

HOMEMADE ANIMAL CRACKER COOKIES

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon water
Food color (optional, for decorating)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients except egg yolk, water and food color (mix with hands if necessary).

Roll dough 1/8-inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut with animal- shaped cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Mix egg yolk and 1/4 teaspoon water. Brush each cookie with the egg yolk mixture. (If desired, divide the egg yolk mixture among several cups and tint each with different food color to make bright colors. Paint designs on cookies with small paint brushes.)

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are very light brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet.

Makes about 6 dozen 2- to 3-inch cookies
Adapted from source: Recipe booklet: Holiday Ideas, Betty Crocker Creative Recipes #63, December 1991