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Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

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4.1 from 60 reviews

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 30 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Delightfully festive Polar Bear Cookies featuring soft, creamy cookie dough with a subtle almond and vanilla flavor, topped with luscious buttercream frosting and charming chocolate and sprinkle details to create adorable polar bear faces. Perfect for holiday gatherings or winter-themed parties, these cookies combine tender texture with whimsical decoration.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (113g) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Buttercream Frosting

  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups (250g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • Pinch of salt

Decorations

  • White sanding sugar or granulated sugar
  • Large chocolate chips (for noses)
  • Black round sprinkles (for eyes)
  • Red or pink round sprinkles (for inner ears)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your cookies.
  2. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract into the creamed mixture, mixing until fully combined and uniform in texture.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning agents.
  4. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to form the cookie dough without overworking it.
  5. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into portions, flatten each into discs, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes to firm up the dough for easier handling.
  6. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
  7. Roll out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/3 inch thickness, ensuring even thickness for uniform baking.
  8. Cut Bear Faces: Use a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out the main bear face shapes from the dough.
  9. Cut Bear Ears: Cut smaller circles using a 3/4-inch cutter and trim a flat edge on each to serve as ears, then gently attach these ears to the top of the larger cookie faces by pressing lightly.
  10. Chill Cookies Before Baking: Place the shaped cookies into the fridge for 15 minutes to help them hold their shape during baking.
  11. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes until the edges are set but not browned, to maintain a soft texture.
  12. Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes to firm up slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  13. Prepare the Buttercream Frosting: Beat the unsalted butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar while mixing on low speed, then add vanilla extract, heavy cream (or milk), and a pinch of salt. Beat on medium-high speed until the frosting is fluffy and smooth.
  14. Frost the Cookies: Spread a thin layer of buttercream frosting on the cooled cookies evenly to create a sticky surface for the sugar coating.
  15. Add Sugar Coating: Dip or sprinkle the frosted side into white sanding sugar or granulated sugar to create a sparkling, smooth finish resembling polar bear fur.
  16. Decorate Faces: Pipe a small oval of frosting at the bottom center of each cookie to form the muzzle, then place a large chocolate chip on top as the nose.
  17. Add Facial Features: Place black round sprinkles above the muzzle for the eyes and attach red or pink round sprinkles within the ears to add cute inner ear details.

Notes

  • For firmer cookies, chill the dough overnight before rolling and cutting.
  • If you do not have almond extract, you can omit it without altering the overall flavor dramatically.
  • Ensure cookies do not brown excessively to maintain a tender texture.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to help the dough and frosting blend properly.
  • Decorate cookies only after they have completely cooled to prevent melting the frosting.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 13 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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Find it online: https://mamabrisrecipes.com/polar-bear-cookies-recipe/