Circus Animal Blondies

Circus animal blondies are a sweet celebration treat and a fun twist on traditional blondies!

These easy-to-make, festive little bars are grab-and-go party perfection, freeze well, and are perfect (and nut free) for lunch boxes.

squares of Circus Animal Blondies on a plate

What is a Circus Animal Cookie?

Mother’s Brand circus animal cookies are legendary. Kids have been enjoying these pink and white frosted animal-shaped cookies for generations. Pick them up at the local supermarket (or online) and add them to a blondie recipe for nostalgic flavor.

Blondies are similar to brownies in texture but without the chocolate. We love that these are unique from the usual brownies, cookies, or bars.

Ingredients for Blondies

Ingredients for Blondies

Ingredients and Variations

BASE: The base of these blondies is a typical blondie recipe with additions!

COOKIES: Pink and white frosted animal cookies give this recipe its signature look, but crushed peanut-flavored Nutter Butters or Oreos can be used as well (sub out brown sugar for the white and add some maple syrup for the peanut butter flavored version).

MIX-INS: Mix in some yummy toffee, caramel, or butterscotch pieces, mini-M&M’s, or mini chocolate chips!

How to Make Blondies

For blondie brownies that taste like a dream, simply follow a few easy steps:

  1. Cream butter & sugar, add eggs & vanilla (per recipe below).
  2. Add dry ingredients just until combined.
  3. Fold in chopped animal cookies & nonpareils, press dough into prepared pan.
  4. Top with extra cookies & sprinkles, if desired. Bake as directed.

pan full of Circus Animal Blondies

pan full of Circus Animal Blondies

Tips for the Best Blondies

  • Line the pan with parchment to make them easy to remove.
  • For best results, don’t overbake the bars. They should be lightly colored.
  • Circus animal blondies can be wrapped individually and frozen. Put a frozen bar in a lunch kit or backpack and it’ll be ready to enjoy by lunchtime.

squares of Circus Animal Blondies on a white plate

squares of Circus Animal Blondies on a white plate

Other Uses for Circus Animal Cookies

Circus Animal Cookies can be added to so many desserts! For an extra pop of color and pretty presentation, try adding them to Extra Chewy Rice Krispie Treats, No Bake Cookies, Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes, or even a Milkshake!

Our Favorite Bars

Did everyone love these Circus Animal Blondies? Leave us a comment and a rating below! 

Circus Animal Blondies

Your favorite frosting animal cookies are chopped up and added to a deliciously sweet blondie batter then baked to perfection! Slightly dense and chewy on the inside with a lightly crisp top!

Follow Spend with Pennies on Pinterest

Follow Spend with Pennies on Pinterest

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper.

  • Whisk flour, corn starch, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Set aside.

  • Cream butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.

  • Mix in vanilla and eggs one at a time.

  • Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture a little bit at a time just until it is mixed. Fold in the animal cookies and nonpareils.

  • Gently press the dough into the prepared baking pan and top with additional cookies and sprinkles if desired.

  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or just until set. Do not overbake.

  • Cool completely before cutting.

This recipe yields too much dough for an 8×8 or 9-inch round pan. But you can make it in a 9×13-inch pan for thinner blondies.
Whole cookies are too big in this batter and cab impact the evenness of the baking significantly. Be sure to cut/break the cookies up.
Do not overbake.

Calories: 353, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 51mg, Sodium: 354mg, Potassium: 57mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 31g, Vitamin A: 281IU, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Blondies recipe, Circus Animal Cookie Blondies, how to make blondies

Course Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine American

plate of Circus Animal Blondies with text
stack of Circus Animal Blondies with text
plateful of Circus Animal Blondies with text
Circus Animal Blondies and ingredients with text