I'm sure by now you've seen April the Giraffe on the news. She is a beautiful creature at the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York. April is an expecting mother and the whole world is glued to a live You Tube Camera, waiting for the baby giraffe to enter the world. Her "Baby Daddy" is Oliver and he is in the stall next door. He paces around like a nervous father in a waiting room. You know I never have much to do around here and since we lost our sweet pup Baby Ruth last year, I've totally adopted April as my virtual pet. I'm obsessed with watching the camera. I've stayed up way to late. If I wake up during the night, I check the cam. I'm like an expectant Grandma waiting for her grandchild to be born. If Oklahoma was anywhere near April, I'd be waiting outside the giraffe barn every morning to feed her carrots. I guess giraffes have a special place in my heart because my mother has always loved them. She has quite a collection of giraffe memorabilia from dishes to figurines to paintings. Whenever she knocks my home decor (which is eclectic to say the least) I always remind her, "Mom, you have giraffes on your porch." I love that the whole world is focused on April and her future calf. It's a great distraction from politics and other negativity. But poor April, can you imagine the whole world gazing into your birthing room? No thanks! They can wait in the waiting room and hand out cigars. To honor the impending birth, I made some Giraffe Cookies to celebrate. Nutter Butter Cookies make the ideal giraffe head shape. Add just a few other sweet treats to create an adorable April face. I hope you're all enjoying the adventures of April and enjoy making these fun cookies too!
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| In honor of April the Giraffe and Giraffe Watch 2017 |
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| Just a few sweet treats to create a cute giraffe face! |
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| Cut the top edge of the sugar wafer cookie at an angle as shown. |
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| Now you have the perfect giraffe neck. (And a scrap of cookie to eat.) |
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| Use the melted chocolate bark as "glue" to adhere the parts together. Then use the remaining melted chocolate to create the giraffe spots. |
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| The Nutter Butter Cookie shape makes the perfect giraffe face! |
Giraffe Cookies
1 package Nutter Butter Cookies
1 package Reese's Mini Cups
1 package pretzel sticks
1 package dried banana chips
1 package vanilla sugar wafer cookies
3 squares chocolate almond bark
1 package Wilton candy eyes
Cut the top edge of the sugar wafers as show in the picture to make a slant. Set aside. In a microwave safe container melt the almond bark squares in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until melted. Dip the edge of two banana chips in the melted chocolate and attach at the top of the Nutter Butter cookie to create the ears. Break each pretzel stick in half. Dip the two broken edges of the pretzel into the melted chocolate and stick at the top of the cookie to create the horns. Once those are in place, carefully dip just the tips of the pretzel stick horns into the chocolate. (FUN FACT: The horns on giraffes are actually called ossicones. Both males and females have them. When calves are born, the ossicones lie flat on the head, and after birth, the cartilage becomes erect and begins to fasten to the skull. SOURCE: Animal Adventure Park Facebook Page) Once the ears and "ossicones" are attached, use a skewer or toothpick to dip in the chocolate "glue" and place two eyes and a mini Reese's cup on to the cookie. The Reese's candy creates the nose of the giraffe. Dip the cut/slanted edge of the wafer cookie generously into the melted chocolate and adhere to the side of the cookie to create the long neck of the giraffe. Let them dry completely on waxed paper before moving. I put the remaining melted chocolate bark into a plastic bag and cut off the tip. Decorate the wafer cookie with chocolate swirls and spots so it looks like a giraffe print. Allow the chocolate to cool and dry completely before serving. (They are kind of delicate. Use more melted chocolate glue if necessary)
I encourage you to visit April's Website as well as the Animal Adventure Park Website. Lots of educational facts and well as donation and sponsor info. And get the adorable Giraffe Emojis for your phone at giraffemoji.com The proceeds benefit the park and the giraffe care, plus you'll be the coolest one of your friends because you have an emoji of a giraffe wearing sunglasses on your phone!
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