Polar Bear Cookies

These Polar Bear Cookies are not only adorable but also deliciously soft and chewy. The creamy vanilla buttercream frosting adds a sweet touch that complements the subtle flavor of the cookie, making each bite a delightful treat. Perfect for holiday gatherings, winter celebrations, or just a fun baking project with family and friends. Decorating these cookies is a joy in itself! Each cookie becomes a little work of art as you pipe the buttercream and add the tiny details that bring the polar bears to life. They are a great way to bring a touch of whimsy and sweetness to your dessert table, and they’re guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • Cookie Dough
    • 3/4 cup butter (softened)
    • 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)
    • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
    • 1 egg
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
    • 1/2 tsp baking powder
    • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
    • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
    • 1 Tbsp vanilla paste or extract
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
    • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • Decorations
    • 1 cup white sanding sugar
    • 30 large chocolate chips (for the nose)
    • Round, black sprinkles (for the eyes)
    • Round red or pink sprinkles (for the ears)

Directions:

  1. Make the Cookie Dough
    In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and mix on medium-high speed until lighter in color. Mix in egg and vanilla extract until combined.
    In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Divide the dough in half, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes.
  2. Roll and Cut Out Cookies
    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously flour your surface and roll the chilled dough to 1/3-inch thickness. Cut out 2 1/2-inch circles using a cookie cutter. Use a smaller cutter (3/4-inch) to make circles for the ears. Attach two ears to each large circle. Chill cut-out cookies in the fridge for 15 minutes or freezer for 5 minutes.
  3. Bake the Cookies
    Bake on the top rack of the oven for 10-13 minutes, until edges are just set. Let cookies cool on the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  4. Make the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
    Beat butter until smooth. Add vanilla paste and salt, then gradually mix in powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth and fluffy.
  5. Decorate the Cookies
    Pipe a thin layer of frosting on each cookie, then dip the frosted side into sanding sugar. Pipe a small oval towards the bottom for the bear’s muzzle. Press a chocolate chip into the oval for the nose, and use black sprinkles for eyes and red/pink sprinkles for ears. Repeat for all cookies.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 14 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 4 minutes

Kcal: 265 kcal per cookie
Servings: 30 cookies

The Adorable Treat That Brings a Smile to Any Occasion

Cookies have an undeniable charm, but few can rival the cuteness of Polar Bear Cookies. These soft, chewy cookies with their delightful buttercream frosting are more than just delicious—they’re an experience. Their whimsical polar bear faces make them perfect for winter holidays, family gatherings, and festive parties, bringing joy to kids and adults alike. But there’s more to these cookies than just their looks. Let’s explore what makes these sweet treats special, why they’re worth adding to your baking repertoire, and how you can make them uniquely yours.

A Treat for All Ages

The magic of Polar Bear Cookies lies in their balance between playfulness and taste. On the surface, these cookies are as charming as can be, with their round, frosting-covered faces, chocolate chip noses, and sprinkle eyes and ears. They’re perfect for children who love cookies with character, yet sophisticated enough for adult palettes thanks to their rich, buttery taste and smooth cream cheese base. Not only are they a show-stopper on any dessert table, but they’re also packed with flavor, offering a perfect mix of creamy frosting and a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.

Perfect for Holiday and Seasonal Baking

These cookies are especially popular during the winter holiday season, as they capture the cozy, frosty atmosphere perfectly. Their whimsical design embodies the playful spirit of Christmas and winter celebrations, making them an ideal addition to cookie exchanges, holiday gift baskets, or simply as a special treat for the family. The soft, cream cheese-infused dough has a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the vanilla buttercream adds a delightful layer of sweetness that everyone loves. You can even customize the design of the polar bear faces to match the season or theme of your gathering, adding scarves, earmuffs, or festive sprinkles to give each cookie a unique personality.

The Secret to the Soft-Batch Cookie Base

One of the defining features of these cookies is their soft, tender base. The key lies in a balanced mix of cream cheese, butter, and a hint of cornstarch. While the cream cheese adds richness and depth, the butter ensures that the cookies have that perfect crumbly yet soft texture. Cornstarch plays a crucial role in creating a melt-in-your-mouth feel, providing structure while preventing the cookies from becoming dense or tough. Unlike other cookie recipes that may come out crispy or crunchy, these Polar Bear Cookies stay soft and chewy, making every bite a comforting treat.

Frosting: The Buttercream Magic

The homemade vanilla buttercream frosting is where the true magic happens. With its creamy, silky texture, this frosting pairs beautifully with the soft cookie base. It’s sweet but not overly so, allowing the flavors to shine without overpowering your taste buds. The addition of heavy cream adds just the right amount of richness and makes the frosting smooth and easy to work with, which is especially important when you’re decorating the cookies. The frosting not only gives the cookies their cute polar bear faces but also adds an extra dimension of flavor and texture.

If you’re looking to play around with the frosting flavor, you can easily swap out vanilla extract for almond, coconut, or even peppermint for a seasonal twist. Adding a touch of food coloring can also help you achieve a variety of different looks and themes, making these cookies perfect for any occasion, not just winter ones.

Customizing Your Polar Bears

Part of the fun of making Polar Bear Cookies is that each cookie can have its own personality. While the classic version uses round chocolate chips for the nose, black sprinkles for the eyes, and red or pink sprinkles for the ears, you can use whatever decorations you have on hand. Try using fondant to make little scarves or hats, colored sprinkles for added flair, or even candy eyes for a more cartoonish look. Decorating these cookies can be a wonderful activity for children, as they can create their own polar bear designs and let their imaginations run wild.

For those who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, consider mixing flavors into the cookie dough, like orange zest, cinnamon, or cocoa powder. A touch of spice or citrus can add a surprising and delicious twist to the traditional recipe. Alternatively, if you’re looking to make the cookies healthier or accommodate dietary restrictions, consider using a gluten-free flour blend, vegan butter, or a flaxseed egg replacement.

Making Ahead and Storage Tips

The beauty of Polar Bear Cookies is that they can be prepared well in advance, making your holiday or event prep a breeze. The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours or in the freezer for up to a month. Simply bring the dough to a rollable consistency before cutting out your shapes. Baked cookies (without frosting) can also be stored for several weeks in the freezer, allowing you to bake and decorate them whenever you’re ready.

Frosted cookies are best enjoyed within a few days but can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to a month. Just be sure to let them thaw to room temperature before serving to ensure the best taste and texture. If you plan to stack the cookies, it’s best to chill them thoroughly beforehand and separate the layers with parchment paper to prevent smudging the frosting.

Tips for Perfect Polar Bear Cookies

To achieve the perfect Polar Bear Cookies, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

  1. Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough before cutting out your cookies is essential to prevent spreading and maintain those perfect polar bear shapes. The cooler the dough, the easier it will be to work with.
  2. Consistency is Key: Rolling the dough to a consistent 1/3-inch thickness will ensure even baking. If the dough is too thick, the cookies may bake unevenly, while too thin dough could result in overly crispy cookies.
  3. Don’t Overwork the Dough: Handle the dough as little as possible once all the ingredients are incorporated. Overworking it can lead to tough, dense cookies.
  4. Keep a Close Eye While Baking: Polar Bear Cookies should be soft and tender, so keep an eye on them while they bake. They should be pulled from the oven before the edges start to brown to preserve their light color and soft texture.
  5. Be Creative with Decorations: You don’t need to stick to the standard bear design. Feel free to play around with the decorations to make them your own, especially if you’re making these cookies for a specific event or season.

Conclusion:

Polar Bear Cookies are a delightful and versatile treat that are as much fun to make as they are to eat. Their adorable design makes them perfect for holiday baking, children’s parties, or any time you want to add a bit of whimsy to your dessert table. Whether you’re looking for a cute gift, an activity to do with kids, or simply a delicious cookie to enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. The soft, chewy texture of the cookie base pairs perfectly with the creamy vanilla buttercream, creating a flavor that’s both comforting and delicious. And the best part? You can customize them to match any occasion, theme, or personal taste preference, making them a versatile addition to any baker’s repertoire. So next time you’re looking to whip up a batch of cookies, give these Polar Bear Cookies a try you won’t be disappointed!

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