Adorable Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe – Sweet Treats with Love

Sweet, crumbly, and utterly irresistible, these red velvet bear cookies capture hearts with their adorable shape and rich cocoa flavor.

Soft crimson dough comes together effortlessly, promising delightful treats that melt in your mouth.

Chocolate lovers will adore the deep, velvety texture and vibrant color of these charming bear-shaped delights.

Each cookie carries a hint of vanilla and subtle chocolate undertones that make them impossible to resist.

Perfect for afternoon tea, children’s parties, or a cozy weekend baking session, these cookies bring whimsy and deliciousness to any gathering.

The playful bear design adds an extra layer of charm that transforms simple cookies into memorable treats.

Dive into this delectable recipe and create something truly special that will have everyone smiling.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 12 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

What You’ll Need For Red Velvet Bear Cookies

• Butter: Creamy richness that ensures soft, tender texture and deep flavor foundation.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create crisp cookie edges.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and creates a deeper caramel-like undertone.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and contributes to the cookie's structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic notes.

• Red Food Coloring: Creates signature vibrant red velvet appearance.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate undertones and deep color complexity.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the fundamental base and provides necessary cookie structure.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, tender texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates overall flavor profile.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Perfect for creating adorable bear facial features with natural chocolate accent.
• Melted Chocolate: Optional finishing touch for adding delicate facial expressions.

Equipment For Red Velvet Bear Cookies Prep

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing cookie dough ingredients.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for achieving light, fluffy butter mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for precise ingredient measurements.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients.
• Baking sheets: Used for baking bear-shaped cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Prevents cookies from sticking.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly after baking.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Useful for mixing dough.
• Chocolate piping bag or zip-top bag: Optional for adding decorative chocolate details.

Steps To Make Red Velvet Bear Cookies From Scratch

• Cookie Personality

Craft cute bear-shaped treats that bring joy and warmth to your kitchen. These delightful cookies transform simple ingredients into charming edible companions with playful expressions.

• Dough Creation

Mix butter, sugars, and eggs into a smooth blend. Infuse rich red color and cocoa essence, creating a velvety base that promises delectable results.

• Bear Sculpting

Shape round heads with gentle hands, carefully forming tiny ears that give each cookie character. Arrange cookies on baking sheets, allowing space for their unique personalities to develop.

• Facial Features

Transform plain cookie faces into expressive characters using chocolate chips for sparkling eyes and cute button noses. Press carefully to create adorable expressions.

• Baking Magic

Slide cookie sheet into warm oven, letting heat transform soft dough into golden-edged treats. Watch as your bear friends come to life with gentle browning.

• Final Touches

Once cooled, add delicate chocolate details like tiny smiles or playful eyebrows. Each cookie becomes a unique sweet friend ready to delight anyone who sees them.

Fun Decorating Tips For Red Velvet Bear Cookies

• Perfect Baking Secrets for Red Velvet Bear Cookies
• Butter Temperature Trick: Ensure butter is softened but not melted to create a perfectly creamy cookie texture that helps maintain adorable bear shapes during baking.
• Food Coloring Pro Tip: Use gel food coloring for richer, more vibrant red color without changing the dough's consistency. Start with a small amount and gradually add to achieve desired shade.
• Dough Chilling Technique: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and help cookies maintain precise bear features. Cold dough creates more defined shapes and prevents flattening.
• Decorating Precision: Use toothpicks or fine kitchen tweezers to place mini chocolate chips precisely for bear eyes and nose, ensuring symmetrical and cute facial expressions.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to make these adorable bear cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

Store Red Velvet Bear Cookies Without Losing Shape

• Smart Cookie Storage: Keep these adorable treats in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, ensuring maximum freshness and softness.
• Freezing Strategy: Layer cookies between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, where they'll stay delicious for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Dough Preparation Hack: Make cookie dough ahead and refrigerate for 24 hours, allowing flavors to develop deeper richness. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Bake and decorate cookies up to 3 days before serving. Store decorated cookies in a single layer to maintain their cute bear faces and prevent smudging.

Serve Red Velvet Bear Cookies On Any Occasion

• Bear Hug Party Platter: Create a playful cookie display by arranging bears in a cuddly group, perfect for kids' birthdays or family gatherings. Cluster them together as if they're hugging and sharing sweet moments.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Wrap these adorable red velvet bear cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with cute ribbons. They make charming homemade gifts for teachers, friends, or holiday treat exchanges.
• Dessert Companion Pairing: Serve these cute cookies alongside cold milk, hot chocolate, or vanilla ice cream. The rich red velvet flavor complements creamy dessert drinks beautifully, creating a delightful taste experience.
• Interactive Decorating Station: Set up a cookie decorating area where kids or guests can add their personal touch with extra chocolate details, sprinkles, or edible markers to customize bear faces.

Soft Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Whimsical red velvet bear cookies combine playful design with rich cocoa flavor. Chocolate lovers will adore these adorable treats that bring joy to dessert tables and spark delightful conversations.

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Ingredients

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• 1.25 cups (297 ml) all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp red food coloring (gel preferred)
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.25 cup (45 g) mini chocolate chips (for eyes and noses)
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) melted dark or milk chocolate (optional, for extra details)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Environment: Set oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Mix Base: Cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, then blend in egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until fully incorporated.
3. Combine Dry Components: Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, then gently fold into wet mixture to create a smooth dough.
4. Shape Bear Cookies: Form 1-inch dough spheres for bear heads, attaching smaller 1/4-inch balls as ears by gently pressing them into position.
5. Prepare for Baking: Arrange bear-shaped cookies on prepared sheets with 2-inch spacing, embedding mini chocolate chips for eyes and nose.
6. Bake and Cool: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges set and centers remain slightly soft, then rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
7. Decorate (Optional): Use melted chocolate to add personalized facial details and enhance the bear cookie’s character.

Notes

• Manage Moisture Perfectly: Red velvet demands precise moisture balance; avoid overmixing dough to prevent tough cookies and ensure soft, tender texture.
• Choose Quality Food Coloring: Select gel-based red food coloring for vibrant color without thinning cookie dough, guaranteeing rich, deep red hue without compromising consistency.
• Shape Consistently: Use uniform dough ball sizes when creating bear shapes to ensure even baking and consistent cookie appearance, preventing uneven browning or texture variations.
• Handle Delicate Details: Gently attach ear pieces and press chocolate chip features with light touch to maintain bear cookie structure and prevent crumbling during shaping or baking.

• Prep Time: 12 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg