Introduction

Bear Paw Cookies are a playful twist on thumbprint or drop cookies. A soft, buttery base is topped with a large chocolate “pad” and three small chocolate “toes” to create an adorable paw shape. They’re great for parties, themed events, or baking with kids.

Ingredients (makes ~24 cookies)

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• About 1–1 1/4 cups chocolate chips or chocolate melting wafers (for pads & toes)
• Optional: 1–2 tablespoons milk if dough seems dry

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
3. Add the egg and vanilla; mix until combined.
4. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. If too dry, add 1 tbsp milk at a time.
5. Roll dough into 1–inch (2.5 cm) balls and place on prepared sheets about 2″ apart.
6. Use the back of a teaspoon or your thumb to press a shallow large indent near the top-center of each ball (this will hold the chocolate pad).
7. Bake for 9–11 minutes or until edges are just set and bottoms are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool on sheet 3–4 minutes.
8. While cookies cool slightly, melt chocolate chips/wafers in a microwave-safe bowl in 20–30 second intervals, stirring until smooth.
9. Fill the larger indent with melted chocolate to create the paw pad. Using a small piping bag or the tip of a spoon, add three small dots of chocolate above the pad to form the toes. If chocolate firms too fast, gently rewarm briefly.
10. Let chocolate set completely. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Methods

• Traditional bake: Standard method above yields soft, slightly cakey cookies.
• Refrigerate dough: Chill 30–60 minutes for thicker, less-spreading cookies.
• Decorating: Use a piping bag with a small round tip for neat toe dots; use chocolate melts for easier tempering.

History

Decorative shaped cookies and thumbprint-style cookies have long been part of home baking traditions. Bear Paw Cookies are a modern whimsical variation designed for themed parties and kid-friendly baking projects.

Benefits

• Fun, attractive presentation — great for holidays and parties.
• Simple ingredients and easy technique — ideal for beginner bakers and children.
• Customizable: use dark, milk, or white chocolate, or add a tiny sprinkle of sea salt.

Formation (why they work)

The dough’s butter and sugar create a tender crumb that holds an indent without collapsing. Pressing a shallow well before baking (or right after) creates a stable recess to hold the melted chocolate pad; small dots of chocolate above form the toes for the paw look.

Lovers

These cookies are adored by kids, animal-theme party hosts, and anyone who likes playful, giftable treats. They make excellent additions to cookie boxes and bake sales.

Conclusion

Bear Paw Cookies 🐾🍪 are an easy, charming cookie that combines classic buttery flavor with a cute presentation. With minimal decorating effort, you get a batch of cookies that are both tasty and Instagram-friendly.