Description
Sweet polar bear cookies melt hearts with their adorable arctic charm, bringing whimsical winter magic to dessert tables. Sugar-coated and playfully decorated, these delightful treats let you savor childhood nostalgia in each delicious, bear-shaped bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough:
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (113g) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (56g), room temperature
- 2 teaspoons (8g) vanilla extract
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon (2g) baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (3g) fine salt
Frosting:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon (12g) vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon (3g) fine salt
- 3 1/2 cups (454g) powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup (60g) heavy cream
Decorations:
- 1 cup white sanding sugar
- 30 large chocolate chips
- Round black sprinkles (for eyes)
- Round red or pink sprinkles (for cheeks)
Instructions
- Cream butter and cream cheese until velvety smooth, gradually incorporating sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy. Blend in egg and vanilla extract thoroughly.
- In a separate container, carefully combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt through gentle whisking. Incrementally fold dry ingredients into the creamy wet mixture until fully integrated.
- Partition the dough into two equal segments, envelop each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to allow flavors to meld and texture to firm.
- Carefully roll out chilled dough to approximately one-third inch thickness. Utilize circular cutters to create face and ear shapes – larger circles for facial features and smaller ones for adorable rounded ears. Delicately attach ears to faces, ensuring precise placement.
- Briefly return assembled cookie shapes to refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes to maintain structural integrity during baking.
- Position cookies in preheated oven at 350°F, baking for 12-14 minutes until edges develop a subtle golden hue. Allow complete cooling on wire racks.
- Prepare frosting by whipping butter until exceptionally creamy. Introduce vanilla and salt, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar, mixing until achieving silky consistency.
- Decorate cookies by piping pristine white frosting, strategically placing chocolate chip noses, sprinkle eyes, and delicate cheek accents. Gently dust with sparkling sanding sugar for enchanting finish.
Notes
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain bear shape during baking.
- Use cold butter and cream cheese for a flakier, more tender cookie texture.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies soft and prevent tough results.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg