Teddy Bear Cookies

Teddy Bear Cookies

It’s hard to make kids happy sometimes. The more effort I put into cooking, the less they tend to appreciate it. If I make really good homemade crispy chicken tenders, for instance, they’ll leave them on their plates. But if I buy the frozen processed ones and throw them on a baking sheet, my son will very nicely thank me for such a delicious dinner.

No, I’m not a lousy cook. But I don’t speak kid palate. Their likes and dislikes remain elusive to me.

That’s why I had to try these cookies. They are just so adorable. And I needed to know if their looks would trump everything else. Does a teddy bear-shaped cookie get eaten no matter what it tastes like? There’s your philosophical question of the day.

Teddy Bear Cookies

The answer is yes. By the way, these do taste nice, but if a chocolate chip cookie were right next to it, I’d head that way. These have a brownie-like flavor with a firmer cookie texture. After all, the dough has to hold up enough to be shaped into bears and then baked.

Teddy Bear Cookies

Speaking of which, refrigerate this dough for several hours at least (overnight is better) and work fast. As soon as it starts to get to room temperature, you won’t be able to form the bears anymore. It’s four separate dough balls: a big one for the head, medium-sized for the nose area, and two smaller for the ears. I used butterscotch chips for the nose and candy eyes for, yep, the eyes. But if you’re more handy than I am, try something else!

Teddy Bear Cookies

Also, I decided that these bears would be from the same family rather than identical. In other words, they look similar, but I didn’t sweat it out to make them all look just the same. They’re all cute. That’s what matters!

Teddy Bear Cookies

Butter up the kid nearest you with one of these. Or hey, eat one yourself. As long as there are no chocolate chip cookies nearby!

 

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1  cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 and 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • butterscotch chips (for the nose)
  • candy eyes

 

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix the dry ingredients (except the sugar). Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, beating again. Gradually add the dry ingredients, beating until just incorporated.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at last 3 hours, but preferably overnight.

When you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350. Shape the bear heads. Use one large ball (roll and then flatten with your hands) for the head, a medium-sized ball for the nose area, and two smaller rounds of dough for the ears. Once the head is shaped, place the butterscotch chip and candy eyes on the face and use a toothpick to draw the mouth.

Bake for 12 minutes. Allow to cool, and then serve to your favorite child (or grown-up kid!).

 

 

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 14 Comments

  1. Claire

    Hey, these are beautiful, my daughter will love these!

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Claire! I hope she enjoys them!

      1. Sam from Period 2

        Yummy Yummy

        1. Mir

          No phones in class. But thanks!

  2. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Isn’t it funny how kids are with food? I’m sure your kids love these cookies because they sound delicious! Definitely the cutest cookies I’ve seen in a long time. And I love that you used a butterscotch chip for the nose! 🙂
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…{Skinny} Red Velvet TrufflesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I wanted to use a PB chip, but I’ve been overdoing it with the peanut butter lately. Thanks, Gayle!

  3. Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating

    If these were any cuter I think I just couldn’t imagine eating them. But WOW, they are amazing! I love seeing inspirational adorable desserts like these because they make me want to get more creative in my own kitchen.
    Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating recently posted…Skinny Spinach DipMy Profile

    1. Mir

      That’s so sweet, Kaylin! I do love cute desserts, too. It’s fun to make these for little ones!

  4. Jocelyn@Brucrewlife

    These are adorable! And yes, why are kids so weird about what food is good/bad?! Don’t they know the fancy concoctions we come up with are the best! 😉 Someday they’ll get there.
    Jocelyn@Brucrewlife recently posted…Time to Sparkle #79My Profile

    1. Mir

      Kids are weird. I understand them not. 🙂 Thanks, Jocelyn!

  5. Mary Frances

    Mir, these are beyond darling. I consider myself just outside of kidness but I couldn’t resist clicking and pouring over this post. These are definitely going on my to bake list! Pinning!
    Mary Frances recently posted…Healthy Almond Joy PancakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Mary Frances! I’m a total sucker for adorable.

  6. Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

    How cute are these cookies, such a fun idea! Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
    Laura@Baking in Pyjamas recently posted…Salted Coffee M&M BlondiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      You too! Love the link parties, Laura!

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