about contact

Red Velvet Bear Cookies

by
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Red Velvet Bear Cookies are an adorable and delicious treat perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, baby showers, or simply to bring a smile to someone’s face. With their rich red velvet flavor, soft texture, and charming bear shape, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Combines the classic taste of red velvet with an irresistibly cute bear design.
  • Perfect for gifting, party favors, or themed events.
  • Easy to customize with chocolate chips, candy, or icing for added detail.
  • Soft and chewy cookies with a slight tang from the cocoa powder and cream cheese.
  • A fun and creative baking project for all ages.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter (softened)
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • Red food coloring (gel preferred)
  • Mini chocolate chips (for eyes and nose)
  • Optional: cream cheese frosting for added detail

Directions

Make the Dough:

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, mixing until fully incorporated.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.

Shape the Bears:

  1. Form the Body: Roll dough into 1-inch balls for the body and place on the prepared baking sheet.
  2. Add the Head and Ears: Roll smaller balls for the head (about ¾-inch) and even smaller balls for the ears (about ¼-inch). Attach them to the body by gently pressing.
  3. Decorate: Add mini chocolate chips for the eyes and nose. Press them lightly into the dough.

Bake:

  1. Bake Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the cookies are slightly puffed.
  2. Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: Makes about 20 bear cookies
  • Preparation Time: 20 minutes
  • Baking Time: 12 minutes per batch
  • Total Time: 40-50 minutes

Variations

  • Chocolate Lover’s Edition: Add white or dark chocolate chips for extra richness.
  • Stuffed Bear Cookies: Place a small piece of chocolate or marshmallow inside the dough for a gooey surprise.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Iced Detail: Use cream cheese frosting or royal icing to add details like smiles, paws, or hearts.
  • Nutty Delight: Add crushed pecans or almonds for texture and flavor.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze unbaked shaped cookies on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

FAQs

How do I keep the dough from sticking when shaping?

Lightly flour your hands or chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before shaping.

Can I use liquid food coloring?

Yes, but gel food coloring is more vibrant and doesn’t alter the dough’s consistency as much.

How do I prevent the bears from spreading during baking?

Chill the shaped cookies on the baking sheet for 15-20 minutes before baking.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

Yes, substitute butter with vegan butter, and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water).

How do I achieve an even red color?

Mix the food coloring thoroughly into the wet ingredients before adding the dry ingredients.

Can I use pre-made red velvet dough?

Absolutely! Using pre-made dough is a convenient shortcut.

How can I add more detail to the bears?

Use icing or melted chocolate to draw additional features like paws, bows, or outlines.

Are these cookies chewy or crunchy?

These cookies are soft and chewy, but you can bake them slightly longer for a crispier texture.

Can I add flavor extracts?

Yes, try almond or peppermint extract for a unique twist.

Can I make other shapes with this dough?

Yes, this dough works well for other cookie cutters or freeform designs.

Conclusion

Red Velvet Bear Cookies are a charming and delicious treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With their soft texture, rich flavor, and adorable bear design, they’re sure to bring joy to everyone who sees or tastes them. Whether you’re baking for a loved one, a special event, or just for fun, these cookies are a delightful way to show your creativity and spread a little sweetness!

Print

Red Velvet Bear Cookies

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

These adorable Red Velvet Bear Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with classic red velvet flavor. Shaped like bears and decorated with chocolate features, they’re the perfect sweet treat for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any fun occasion!

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 12 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 18–20 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp red food coloring (gel preferred)
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

For Decoration:

  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (for eyes and noses)
  • 1/4 cup melted dark or milk chocolate (optional, for extra details)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2. Make the Cookie Dough:

  1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, mixing until fully combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

3. Shape the Bear Cookies:

  1. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls for the bear’s head.
  2. Roll smaller balls (about 1/4-inch each) for the ears and attach two to the top of each larger ball. Press gently to secure.
  3. Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

4. Decorate the Faces:

  1. Press mini chocolate chips into each cookie to create eyes and noses. (Reserve melted chocolate for additional details after baking, if desired.)

5. Bake the Cookies:

  1. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly soft.
  2. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Add Finishing Touches:

  1. If desired, use melted chocolate to pipe additional details, such as smiles or eyebrows, onto the bear faces. Let the chocolate set before serving.

Notes

  • For a twist, add 1/4 cup white chocolate chips or sprinkles to the dough.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • If you don’t have mini chocolate chips, use small pieces of dark chocolate or edible candy pearls for decorating.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star