Get ready to bake the most adorable treats you’ve ever seen! These Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies are not only irresistibly cute but also pack that classic, buttery, chocolate-chip flavor everyone loves. This recipe is surprisingly simple and a perfect baking project to do with kids.
Whether you’re making them for a birthday party, a baby shower, or just for a fun weekend treat, these bear cookies are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies
There are so many reasons to adore this recipe, but here are just a few of our favorites:
Unbelievably Cute: Let’s be honest, the cuteness factor is off the charts! They are the star of any dessert table.
Classic Comfort Flavor: You get all the goodness of a perfect chocolate chip cookie—soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate.
Fun to Make: Shaping the little bears is a fun and creative process. It’s an excellent activity to get the whole family involved in the kitchen.
Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand. No fancy or hard-to-find ingredients are required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to gather to create these adorable teddy bear cookies. The key is using cold ingredients to help the cookies keep their shape.
Adding the final touches makes these bear cookies even more special.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our cookies.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough without spreading too much.
Salt: Balances the sweetness.
Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened, but still cool to the touch.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: This combination gives the cookies the perfect chewy texture and caramel-like sweetness.
Egg: Acts as a binder for the dough.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The star of the show! You’ll need regular-sized ones for the dough and a few extra for decoration.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of charming bear-shaped treats. We’ll break it down into making the dough, shaping the bears, and baking.
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside.
In a large bowl, using a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading.
Step 2: How to Shape the Bear Cookies (The Fun Part!)
This is where your cookies come to life! It’s easier than it looks.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
For each cookie, you will roll several balls of dough. Start by rolling one large ball (about 1.5 tablespoons) for the bear’s head.
Next, roll two smaller, equal-sized balls (about 1/2 teaspoon each) for the ears.
Finally, roll one medium-small ball (about 1 teaspoon) for the snout.
Assemble the bear directly on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the large ball (head) down first. Gently press the two small balls (ears) onto the top corners of the head. Press the medium ball (snout) onto the lower center of the face. Press them firmly enough so they stick together.
Leave about 2 inches of space between each bear cookie on the baking sheet.
Step 3: Baking to Golden Perfection
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers should still look slightly soft.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents breaking.
Fresh out of the oven and ready to be decorated!
Pro Tips for the Perfect Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies
Want to ensure your bear cookies come out perfectly every time? Follow these expert tips.
Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough is the most important step! Cold dough spreads less, which means your bear shapes will stay defined during baking.
Work Quickly: Try to handle the dough as little as possible to keep it from getting warm from your hands. If the dough becomes sticky, pop it back in the fridge for 10 minutes. For another amazing dessert you can make ahead, check out this No-Bake Christmas Oreo Lasagna.
Uniform Ball Sizes: Try to keep your dough ball sizes consistent for each part of the bear (head, ears, snout) to ensure even baking.
Fun Decoration Ideas
Once your cookies are completely cool, you can add the finishing touches!
Eyes & Nose: Use a toothpick dipped in melted chocolate to draw on eyes and a nose. Alternatively, you can gently press a chocolate chip (pointy side down) into the snout right after they come out of the oven.
Candy Eyes: For a different look, use mini candy eyeballs for a fun, cartoonish expression.
These cookies are a delightful treat on their own, but they’re also great alongside a savory main course like our famous American Goulash Recipe or some comforting Chicken Poblano Soup.
Storing Your Bear Cookies
Store your cooled Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the unbaked, shaped cookie dough for up to 3 months for a quick treat later on.
The key is to firmly but gently press the dough balls for the ears and snout onto the main head piece. As they bake, they will fuse together. Chilling the dough before baking also helps them hold their shape.
Yes, you can use store-bought chocolate chip cookie dough in a pinch. However, ensure it is a firmer variety (often sold in tubes) and chill it well before shaping to minimize spreading.
The most effective way to prevent spreading is to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before shaping and baking. Also, make sure your baking sheet is cool and your oven is fully preheated.
Once the cookies have cooled, you can use a toothpick dipped in melted chocolate to draw on the face. Mini chocolate chips or candy eyeballs also work wonderfully and can be gently pressed onto the cookies right after they come out of the oven.
You can prepare the cookie dough and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months.
The Best Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies Recipe
FL Recipes
Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies (The Cutest & Easiest Recipe!)
The ultimate recipe for Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies! This guide provides simple, step-by-step instructions to bake adorable, delicious, and perfectly shaped bear cookies that are soft, chewy, and fun for the whole family to make and decorate.
1 1/2cupssemi-sweet chocolate chipsplus more for decoration
Equipment
2 Baking Sheets
1 Electric Mixer
Mixing Bowls
Method
Make the Cookie Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, use a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until just combined.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Shape and Bake the Cookies
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
For each cookie, roll one 1.5-tablespoon ball for the head, two 1/2-teaspoon balls for the ears, and one 1-teaspoon ball for the snout.
Assemble the bear on the baking sheet by placing the head down, then firmly pressing the ears to the top corners and the snout to the lower center.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Calories: 150kcalProtein: 2gFat: 8gFiber: 1g
Notes
Don't skip chilling the dough! This is the most important step to ensure your bear cookies don't spread and lose their shape. If the dough becomes too soft while shaping, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking. Use a toothpick and melted chocolate to draw on faces once the cookies have cooled completely.
We are so excited for you to try this adorable Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies recipe! They are sure to be a huge hit. If you make them, we would love to see your creations. Please feel free to share a photo and tag us on Pinterest. Happy baking!
How cute are these Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies? Grab the super easy recipe!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
