Description
Whip up these adorable Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat. Soft, buttery cookies shaped like little bears, decorated with chocolate chips and candies for charming details. Perfect for kids’ parties, holidays, or any time you want to add a cute twist to classic chocolate chip cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Decoration
- Chocolate chips (standard size, for belly buttons and ears)
- Mini chocolate chips or melted chocolate (for eyes and mouth)
- Chocolate-covered candies or chocolate drops (for the nose)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract and beat until fully incorporated.
- Mix in Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until a smooth, soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps firm the dough and improves shaping accuracy.
- Shape Your Bears: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Form the dough into shapes: use a 2-inch oval or ball for the body, a 1.5-inch ball for the head, smaller ovals for arms and legs, and tiny 0.5-inch balls for ears and nose. Assemble each bear directly on the tray, pressing the pieces gently together. Use a toothpick or the back of a spoon to help position or blend parts securely.
- Decorate Before Baking: Gently press chocolate chips into the belly for buttons, add chocolate candies for the nose, and use mini chocolate chips for eyes. Optionally, place chocolate chips in the ears for added detail. Avoid mixing chips into the dough—placing them individually gives better control over the bear’s expression.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and cookies are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once cool, use melted chocolate and a toothpick to add smiles or other facial features as desired.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is important to keep the shape of the bears intact during baking.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- If you want more defined facial features, add them after baking with melted chocolate using a toothpick.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well if you want to prepare dough ahead of time.
