National Animal Crackers Day Date in the current year: April 18, 2024

An animal cracker is exactly what it says on the tin: a cracker shaped like an animal. Although some people think that animal crackers are closer to cookies because they are sweeter than regular crackers, which tend to be neutral or salty, they are still made by layering dough like crackers and are marketed as such.

The origin of animal crackers is slightly unclear, but they most likely originated in England sometime in the 19th century. Animal-shaped crackers (or “biscuits”, as the British called them) were imported to the United States in the late 1800s and quickly became so popular that American bakers started producing them as well.

The first batch of animal crackers was produced by Stauffer’s Buscuit Company based in York, Pennsylvania in 1871. Other domestic bakers soon followed suit. After the formation of the National Biscuit Company (today known as Nabisco) in 1898, animal crackers were produced and distributed under its banner.

In 1902, the National Biscuit Company started to sell animal crackers under the brand name Barnum’s Animals, a reference to the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus. The crackers were indeed shaped like circus animals: tigers, bears, lions, elephants, etc. The signature Christmas box with an attached string to hang it from the Christmas tree was introduced later that year; before that, animal crackers had been sold in large tins or in bulk.

In 1948, Barnum’s Animals were renamed Barnum’s Animals Crackers, as we know them today. They received their modern design in 1958 thanks to the introduction of rotary dies, which allowed to engrave details onto each cracker. Before that, animal crackers were made using simple cutters which allowed to produce various outlines, but no details.

Since their introduction, Barnum’s Animals Crackers have featured 53 different animals. The current lineup includes bears, bison, camels, cougars, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, hippos, hyenas, kangaroos, koalas, lions, monkeys, rhinos, seals, sheep, tigers, and zebras. The only four animals to be featured in every lineup of Barnum’s Animals Crackers are bears, lions, tigers, and elephants.

Although Barnum’s Animals Crackers is arguably the most popular brand of animal crackers, it isn’t the only one. Stauffer’s animal crackers and cookies come in thirteen shapes (bear, buffalo, camel, cat, cow, donkey, elephant, goat, hippo, horse, lion, rhino, tiger) and several varieties: original animal crackers, chocolate graham animal crackers, and iced animal cookies with white and pink icing.

Other popular brands of animal crackers include Austin Zoo Animal Crackers produced by Kellogg, Happy Snacks Animal Crackers produced by the Market Square Food Company, and Member’s Mark Animal Crackers produced by Sam’s Club. Outside the United States, animal crackers are produced by various national brands such as Cadbudy in the UK, Bahlsen in Germany, etc.