Jump to Recipe Print RecipeThe smell of freshly baked cookies wafts through the kitchen, and I can’t help but smile as I remember the joy of baking with my kids. Today, we’re diving into the delightful world of Bear Paw Cookies. These fun, whimsical treats aren’t just soft and chewy; they’re also a fantastic way to get little hands involved in the kitchen. With their playful design mimicking adorable bear paws, they make for a perfect baking project for family gatherings or school events. Plus, the simple steps and delicious sugar cookie flavor mean you’ll have a crowd-pleaser ready in no time. Are you ready to unleash your inner baker and create a batch of these delightful cookies? Let’s get started! Why Choose Bear Paw Cookies? Fun Decorating: Kids will absolutely love getting creative with the paw prints, turning baking into a playful art project. Simplicity: With easy, straightforward steps, you won’t need to be a baking pro to whip these up. Memorable Treats: The whimsical design makes these cookies a hit at children’s parties or gatherings, ensuring smiles all around! Deliciously Soft: Enjoy the perfect soft and chewy texture that pairs wonderfully with a glass of milk. Versatile Variations: Feeling adventurous? Substitute chocolate for caramel or candy melts to mix things up! Bear Paw Cookies Ingredients Get ready to create these delightful bear-themed treats! For the Dough Unsalted Butter – This adds richness and moisture; using unsalted allows you to control the overall saltiness of the Bear Paw Cookies. Sugar – Brings sweetness and structure; you can try brown sugar for a deeper flavor twist! Egg – Binds the ingredients together while adding moisture to your dough. Vanilla Extract – A splash will enhance the overall flavor, making your cookies even more delightful. All-Purpose Flour – Essential for creating the dough structure necessary for these fun treats. Baking Powder – Helps your cookies rise and achieve that lovely fluffy texture. Baking Soda – Reacts with the dough to give extra lift to your cookies. Salt – A little enhances the sweetness, rounding out the flavor perfectly. For the Decoration Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers – These are the cute paw print centers; feel free to substitute with other brands if desired! Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Used for the claws, they add a delightful texture; mini chocolate chips work well too! Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s move on to the fun part—baking and decorating your own Bear Paw Cookies! Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Bear Paw Cookies Step 1: Preheat the Oven Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking. While your oven warms up, gather your baking materials, including a sturdy cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier once your delightful Bear Paw Cookies are ready! Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine softened unsalted butter and sugar. Beat them together on medium speed for about 3 minutes or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This is crucial for achieving that tender texture in your Bear Paw Cookies, so make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to fully incorporate the ingredients. Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients Next, add one egg and a splash of vanilla extract to your butter-sugar mixture. Continue to mix on medium speed until everything is well combined and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. The addition of these wet ingredients will contribute to the rich flavor and moisture of your cookies, enhancing the overall experience. Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms. Take care not to overmix, as your Bear Paw Cookies should remain soft and tender. Step 5: Shape the Cookie Dough Using a small ice cream scoop, portion out the cookie dough, rolling each piece into a ball. If desired, you can roll these dough balls in additional sugar for a sweet crunch. This will not only enhance flavor but will also provide a lovely visual appeal to your finished Bear Paw Cookies. Step 6: Bake the Cookies Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a lovely golden brown while the centers remain slightly soft. Watching for that golden edge is key to the perfect cookie! Step 7: Add the Decor As soon as the Bear Paw Cookies come out of the oven, press a Ghirardelli dark chocolate melting wafer into the center of each cookie. Then, arrange three semi-sweet chocolate chips above the wafer to resemble cute claws. This will beautifully define the playful bear paw design as the chocolate melts slightly from the heat of the cookie. Step 8: Cool Down Transfer your decorated cookies to a wire rack and let them cool for about 30 minutes. This cooling period allows the Bear Paw Cookies to set properly, ensuring they maintain their shape while achieving that classic soft and chewy texture. Once cooled, they’ll be ready to be enjoyed by all! What to Serve with Bear Paw Cookies? There’s something magical about pairing sweet treats with the perfect accompaniments to create a memorable experience for everyone. Cold Milk: This classic pairing complements the cookies’ sweetness and enhances their delightful chewy texture, creating a nostalgic moment for both kids and adults alike. Hot Cocoa: Warm, rich hot cocoa elevates your cookie experience, making it even cozier during cold days or family gatherings. The chocolatey richness mirrors the cookies’ playful flavors. Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream brings a contrasting coolness and a creamy texture, perfect for combining with the warm cookies for a delightful dessert sandwich. Fruit Salad: A fresh fruit salad adds brightness and a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of Bear Paw Cookies. The juicy bites provide a crisp balance, making every bite exciting. Chocolate Milkshake: Indulge your sweet tooth further with a thick chocolate milkshake that mirrors the cookies’ chocolatey goodness. This indulgent treat elevates snack time to a new level. Caramel Sauce: Drizzling some warm caramel sauce over the cookies adds an irresistible sweetness and a rich, buttery flavor that harmonizes beautifully with the chocolate and cookie dough. Nutty Trail Mix: For a crunchy contrast, serve a side of nutty trail mix. The mix of textures enhances the overall snack experience, providing savory satisfaction alongside the sweet cookies. Warm Apple Cider: On colder days, warm apple cider adds a fragrant, spiced flavor that complements the sweetness of the cookies, creating a heartwarming treat that feels like a hug. Expert Tips for Bear Paw Cookies Creaming Matters: Make sure to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly; this step is crucial for achieving the right texture in your Bear Paw Cookies. Chill the Dough: If your dough feels too warm, chill it for about 30 minutes. This helps prevent excessive spreading during baking. Baking Time Awareness: Watch your cookies closely! Remove them from the oven when the edges start turning golden to keep them soft and chewy. Even Spacing: Ensure you space your cookie dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet to allow for proper spreading while they bake. Creative Variations: Don’t hesitate to experiment with decorations! Different chocolates or candies can give your Bear Paw Cookies a fun twist. How to Store and Freeze Bear Paw Cookies Room Temperature: Store cooled Bear Paw Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. This keeps them fresh and ready for snacking anytime! Fridge: To extend freshness, you can refrigerate the cookies for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best taste. Freezer: For longer storage, freeze Bear Paw Cookies in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy. Reheating: If you prefer warm cookies, reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. This will restore their deliciously soft texture! Bear Paw Cookies: Fun to Customize! Feel free to get creative with these delightful cookies – let your imagination run wild while baking! Flavorful Substitutes: Swap in brown sugar instead of regular sugar for a deeper, caramel-like flavor that enhances the cookie’s sweetness. Milk-Free Option: For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and enjoy the same delicious taste without dairy. Nutty Twist: Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the dough for extra crunch and flavor. Fruity Touch: Fold in mini chocolate-covered fruits or dried fruits for a surprising and delightful burst of flavor in each bite. Decorative Fun: Use colored candy melts instead of chocolate wafers to create vibrant paw prints that make your cookies even more visually appealing! Spiced Delight: Spice it up! Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, inviting flavor. Chocolate Lovers: Feeling adventurous? Use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a sweeter treat that’ll make chocolate lovers swoon. Frosted Bears: Drizzle a light icing over the cooled cookies for an added touch of sweetness and a beautiful finishing design. Looking for more cookie inspiration? Try baking these delightful Blueberry Cookies Soft or indulge in some rich Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. They’re perfect companions for family baking nights! Make Ahead Options These Bear Paw Cookies are a fantastic option for meal prep, saving you time during busy weeks! You can prepare the cookie dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring great flavor and texture. Simply mix the ingredients as directed, roll the dough into balls, and refrigerate them in an airtight container. To bake, follow the original instructions for spacing them on a cookie sheet, and remember to add the chocolate decor right after baking. This way, your cookies will be just as delicious and fun as if you made them fresh that day, with minimal effort on your part! Bear Paw Cookies Recipe FAQs What type of butter is best for Bear Paw Cookies? Absolutely, I recommend using unsalted butter for these cookies. It adds richness and moisture while allowing you to control the overall saltiness. If you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it, but reduce any added salt in your recipe to balance the flavors. How should I store Bear Paw Cookies? To keep your Bear Paw Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want them to last longer, a quick fridge chill can extend their freshness to two weeks. Just let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for the best taste. Can I freeze Bear Paw Cookies? Absolutely! To freeze, place your cooled Bear Paw Cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until they’re solid. Then, transfer them into a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored like this for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them at room temperature for an hour or so. What if my cookie dough is too warm? Not a problem! If you find that your dough is too warm and sticky, I often chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring that they retain that beautiful bear paw shape. Are there any dietary considerations with Bear Paw Cookies? While these cookies are not specifically made for any dietary restrictions, they do contain common allergens such as egg and gluten from the flour. If you have concerns about allergies, you can substitute the egg with a flax egg or applesauce, and potentially use gluten-free flour to accommodate special diets. Just be aware that this might change the texture slightly! What if my cookies turn out too hard? If your Bear Paw Cookies turn out harder than expected, it’s likely due to overbaking. Keep an eye on them, and trust your instincts; they’re ready when they’re just golden at the edges but still soft in the middle. If they cool too long or are left in the oven too long, you can also try storing them in a sealed container with a slice of bread to help soften them up! Bear Paw Cookies: Make Baking Fun and Memorable! No ratings yet Bear Paw Cookies are whimsical treats perfect for family baking with kids, combining fun shapes with a delicious sugar cookie flavor. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 20 minutes minsCook Time 12 minutes minsCooling Time 30 minutes minsTotal Time 1 hour hr 2 minutes mins Servings: 24 cookiesCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanCalories: 150 Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes Ingredients 1x2x3x? For the Dough1 cup Unsalted Butter softened1 cup Sugar can substitute with brown sugar1 large Egg1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract3 cups All-Purpose Flour2 teaspoons Baking Powder1 teaspoon Baking Soda1/2 teaspoon SaltFor the Decoration1 cup Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers or other brands1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips mini chips work too Equipment Stand mixerCookie sheetParchment PaperWire Rackice cream scoop Method Step-by-Step InstructionsPreheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.In a stand mixer, cream together softened unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).Add one egg and vanilla extract to the mixture, and mix until well combined (1-2 minutes).In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.Using an ice cream scoop, portion the dough and roll into balls. Optionally roll in sugar for additional crunch.Place dough balls on the cookie sheet, spaced 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-12 minutes until edges are golden brown and centers are soft.Press a dark chocolate wafer into the center of each cookie and arrange three chocolate chips above to resemble claws.Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool for about 30 minutes before serving. Nutrition Serving: 1cookieCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 100mgPotassium: 40mgSugar: 10gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg NotesCookies can be modified with different chocolates or candies for creative decorations. Store in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
