Grrr...animals

It’s time to celebrate — according to thenibble.com, today marks the birthday of animal crackers. The concept of cookies shaped like animals originated in England (then known as “biscuits”), and were adopted by circus maestro P.T. Barnum in 1902. The now-famous Barnum’s box, which resembles a caged train car and topped with a length of string, was designed by an unsung hero of graphic design so that the boxes could be hung on Christmas trees.* In 1948, Barnum’s Animals became known as Barnum’s Animals Crackers.

A few more facts:

• In 1930, the Marx Brothers starred in the film Animal Crackers, which was adapted from the 1928 play of the same name.

* Shirley Temple sang Animal Crackers in My Soup in the 1935 charmer, Curly Top. The song was used by numerous makers of animal crackers to promote their cookies. 

• In last week’s episode of the Food Network competition, Chopped, chef Sandy Davis won after preparing animal cracker soup for dessert.

• Cadbury’s animal biscuits, which are dipped in chocolate and packaged in a tin, are available at Mel & Rose.**

• Rumor has it that Kellogg purchased the original Mother’s recipe, and will be re-launching the cookies in May. 

• Meanwhile, Keebler makes pink and white frosted animal cookies.***

• Nabisco offers an iced animal cookie with a distinct, lemony taste. (My sister and her entire family think the Nabisco Classics Iced Animal Cookies are delicious. “Everyone comments how they don't taste as waxy and I can vouch that it is a whole lot easier to eat a whole bag of these than I would ever have done with Mother’s.”

* They’re a gift, they’re an ornament, and they’re edible, which means Barnum’s Animals Crackers are the perfect food.

** My birthday is coming up. 

***Am I the only one troubled by the strange, yellow-grey cast of what should be white cookies featured on the Keebler bag?