Adorable Polar Bear Cookies: 10 Unbearably Cute Steps

Is there anything better than holiday baking? I think not! Especially when it involves adorable, delicious cookies. And these Polar Bear Cookies? Oh. My. Goodness. They’re the cutest little things EVER. Seriously, I made these with my niece last year, and her face when she added the little bear noses? Priceless. They’re surprisingly easy to whip up, too, which is always a win in my book. Perfect for getting the kids involved or impressing your friends at that holiday party. Plus, who can resist a batch of festive, melt-in-your-mouth Polar Bear Cookies? Not me, that’s for sure!

Why You’ll Love These Polar Bear Cookies

Okay, so you’re probably thinking, “Another cookie recipe?” But trust me on this one! These polar bear cookies are seriously special. Here’s why you’ll be head-over-heels:

• Super easy to make! Even if you’re not a master baker (I’m definitely not!), you can nail these.
• They’re ridiculously cute! I mean, polar bears on cookies? Come on!
• The kiddos LOVE them! It’s a fun activity to do together, and they get to eat the results. Winning!
• They taste amazing. Not just cute, but seriously delicious.
• Perfect for gifting! Wrap them up in a cute box, and you’ve got a sweet treat for friends and neighbors.

Ingredients for Your Polar Bear Cookies

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these adorable polar bear cookies. I promise, nothing too crazy!

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened. Make sure it’s *actually* soft, not melted!
• 1 cup granulated sugar. The regular kind is perfect!
• 2 large eggs. Gotta have ’em!
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Don’t skimp on the good stuff; it makes a difference!
• 3 cups all-purpose flour. The workhorse of baking.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder. For a little lift!
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt. Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.

For the Decoration:

• 16 oz white fondant. This is what makes our bears white and cuddly!
• Black edible marker. For drawing those cute little faces. Make sure it’s food-safe!

That’s it! Now, let’s get baking!

How to Make Polar Bear Cookies: Step-by-Step

Okay, friend, here’s where the magic happens! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a whole flurry of adorable polar bear cookies in no time. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it!

1. First things first: Cream together the butter and sugar. Get your mixer out (or your arm muscles ready!) and beat that butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Seriously, it should look like whipped cream. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
2. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Add those eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Then, pour in the vanilla and mix until everything’s combined. Smells good already, right?
3. Whisk together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This makes sure everything’s evenly distributed, so you don’t get a weirdly salty cookie.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Add the flour mixture a little at a time, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing makes tough cookies, and nobody wants that.
5. Chill the dough! Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Trust me, this is important. It makes the dough easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Get that oven nice and toasty!
7. Roll out the dough and cut out the cookies. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out circles. You can re-roll the scraps, too!
8. Bake the cookies. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or a silicone mat). Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Careful not to burn them!
9. Cool the cookies completely. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is crucial before you start decorating!
10. Cover each cookie with white fondant. Roll out the white fondant and use the same cookie cutter to cut out circles. Attach the fondant to the cookies with a little bit of water or corn syrup.
11. Draw polar bear faces. Use that black edible marker to draw the cutest little polar bear faces you can imagine! Get creative with it!

And there you have it! Adorable polar bear cookies, ready to be devoured!

Tips for Perfect Polar Bear Cookies

Want to take your polar bear cookies from cute to *chef’s kiss* perfect? Of course, you do! Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned along the way:

• Chill that dough! Seriously, don’t skip this step. Chilling the dough makes it way easier to handle, and it stops your cookies from spreading into weird shapes in the oven.
• Roll evenly, my friend. Uneven dough means uneven baking! Aim for about 1/4 inch thickness. A little thicker is okay, but don’t go too thin, or they’ll burn.
• Fondant fears? Fondant can dry out fast! I like to keep mine covered with plastic wrap until I’m ready to use it. And if it gets a little sticky, a tiny bit of powdered sugar will do the trick.
• Don’t burn the bottoms! Keep a close eye on those cookies, especially during the last few minutes of baking. Nobody wants burnt polar bear butts!

Follow these tips, and you’ll be a polar bear cookie pro in no time!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Polar Bear Cookies

Okay, let’s talk ingredients! Sometimes you gotta make swaps, right? No problem! Here’s the lowdown on alternatives for these Polar Bear Cookies:

• Flour Power! All-purpose flour is my go-to, but you *could* use pastry flour for a slightly more tender cookie. Just don’t use bread flour – that’ll make ’em tough!
• Sweetness Switch-Up: Granulated sugar is classic, but you could experiment with caster sugar for a finer texture. I wouldn’t recommend brown sugar, though; it’ll change the color and flavor too much.
• Fondant Fun: Not a fan of fondant? No sweat! Royal icing is a fantastic alternative. Plus, you can tint it if you want colorful bears! Aren’t rainbow-colored bears unique!

See? Baking’s all about getting creative and making it your own!

Storing Your Delicious Polar Bear Cookies

Alright, so you’ve got a whole pile of adorable polar bear cookies. Now, how do you keep them fresh and delicious? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered!

If you’re planning on eating them within a day or two, just pop them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay nice and soft. But, if you want to keep them longer, the fridge is your friend! Just make sure they’re in an airtight container, so they don’t dry out. They’ll last for up to a week that way. And if you want to freeze them? Go for it! Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then put them in a freezer bag. They’ll be good for a couple of months. When you’re ready to eat them, let them thaw at room temperature. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Polar Bear Cookies

Got questions about making these adorable Polar Bear Cookies? Don’t sweat it; I’ve got answers! Here are some common questions that pop up, and my best tips for tackling them:

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! The cookie dough can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out. You can also bake the cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. I’d recommend decorating them closer to when you want to serve them though, just so the fondant stays fresh!

Can I freeze the dough?

Yep! Freezing cookie dough is a game-changer. Just wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then pop it in a freezer bag. It’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight. You might need to let it sit at room temperature for a bit to soften up enough to roll out.

What if my fondant is sticky?

Ugh, sticky fondant is the worst! Don’t panic! A little bit of powdered sugar is your best friend. Just lightly dust your work surface (and your rolling pin) with powdered sugar, and that should do the trick. If it’s *really* sticky, you might need to knead in a tiny bit more powdered sugar before rolling it out. Be careful not to add too much, though, or it’ll get dry and crack.

Can I use different shapes for the cookies?

Of course! While circles make for perfect polar bear faces, feel free to get creative! You can use bear-shaped cookie cutters, snowflake cutters, or whatever festive shape you like! Just adjust the baking time accordingly, as smaller cookies will bake faster.

What’s the best way to attach the fondant to the cookies?

I find that a tiny bit of water or corn syrup works wonders! Just brush a very thin layer onto the cookie before placing the fondant on top. Be careful not to use too much, or the fondant will get soggy. A little goes a long way!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Polar Bear Cookies

Okay, so let’s talk numbers! Here’s a rough estimate of what you’re getting in each of these adorable polar bear cookies. Now, remember, this is just an estimate. It can totally vary depending on the exact ingredients and amounts you use. We’re looking at things like Calories, Fat, Protein, and Carbs. Just keep that in mind while you’re enjoying your yummy treat!

Share Your Polar Bear Cookies Creations!

I can’t wait to see what you all create! Seriously, baking is even more fun when you share it with others! After you’ve made your adorable Polar Bear Cookies, please leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out! Rate the recipe, too, so others know what to expect! And, if you take any pictures, pretty please share them on social media and tag me! I just love seeing all your amazing creations!

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