Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for an irresistibly cute and scrumptious treat to brighten up any gathering, the Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These delightful cookies combine tender, buttery dough with creamy, dreamy buttercream frosting, all dressed up with charming details that bring the sweetest polar bears to life. Perfect for parties, holiday celebrations, or just because, this recipe is sure to become a sweetheart in your cookie collection.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe plays an essential role—from creating a soft tender cookie base to the luscious smooth frosting that makes these polar bears so huggable. Simple pantry staples come together beautifully in this recipe, making it approachable and utterly satisfying to bake.

• ¾ cup unsalted butter (170g), room temperature: Ensures a rich, creamy dough that’s easy to work with and contributes to that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• ½ cup full-fat cream cheese (113g), room temperature: Adds a subtle tang and tenderness to the cookie, balancing sweetness perfectly.
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300g): Sweetens the dough while helping achieve a light, fluffy cookie crumb.
• 1 large egg (56g), room temperature: Binds all ingredients and gives structure without compromising softness.
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (8g): Imparts a warm aromatic note that uplifts the whole cookie experience.
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g): The backbone of the dough’s structure, ensuring a perfect balance between chewiness and shape retention.
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (8g): Keeps cookies tender and light by softening the gluten.
• ½ tsp baking powder (2g): Adds just enough lift for a lovely texture without puffiness.
• ½ tsp fine salt (3g): Enhances all flavors, preventing the cookie from tasting flat.
• 1 cup unsalted butter (226g), room temperature: The star ingredient for your smooth buttercream, creating indulgence in every bite.
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract (12g): Blends beautifully into buttercream to keep it cozy and sweet.
• ½ tsp fine salt (3g): Balances the sweetness and enriches the frosting’s depth.
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar (454g): Gives your buttercream that classic velvety smoothness and sweetness.
• ¼ cup heavy cream (60g): Lightens the frosting, giving it a luscious, pipeable texture.
• 1 cup white sanding sugar: Adds a sparkling, frosty finish that makes each cookie gleam like polar bear fur.
• 30 large chocolate chips: Perfect for creating the cute noses that give each polar bear its personality.
• Round black sprinkles: Used carefully to give your bear friendly, twinkling eyes.
• Round red or pink sprinkles: For adding a charming blush to the adorable ears.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Essential for baking your cookies evenly and with no sticking.
• 2 ½-inch circle cookie cutter: The ideal size to craft perfectly round polar bear faces.
• ¾-inch circle cutter: To fashion cute ears that sit just right on top.
• Large piping bag: For the magic touch of swirled buttercream that brings these bears to life.

How to Make Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by creaming together ¾ cup butter and ½ cup cream cheese in a large bowl or stand mixer until velvety smooth. Adding 1 ½ cups of sugar next creates a light, fluffy texture that’s the foundation of these tender cookies. Beat in the egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until everything is beautifully combined. This wet base sets the stage for that melt-in-your-mouth softness you’re craving.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon fine salt. This careful sifting and blend makes sure the dough will hold its shape while remaining soft. Gradually add this to your wet mixture, mixing just until combined—over-mixing can toughen your dough, and we want soft polar bears, not rocks!

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrapping each tightly in plastic wrap. Flatten them slightly into rectangles about ½ inch thick to chill in the fridge for 2 hours or speed things up with 30 minutes in the freezer. This step is crucial for shaping those perfect polar bear cookies later on; well-chilled dough rolls out easily and keeps its form in the oven.

Step 4: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Having these ready means you’ll be moving smoothly as you cut and bake your cookies.

Step 5: Roll Out and Cut the Cookies

Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, then roll the dough to about one-third inch thickness. Using your 2 ½-inch circle cutter, stamp out round cookie faces, leaving an inch of space between each. Then use the ¾-inch cutter to create small ear circles, pressing them gently into the tops of the larger circles so the ears stay attached during baking. This little detail turns simple circles into lovable polar bears!

Step 6: Chill the Cut Cookies

Put your cut-out cookies back into the fridge for about 15 minutes before baking. This extra chilling helps the cookies hold their cute shapes without spreading, giving you sharp edges and defined ears.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake your cookies at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges start to turn lightly golden. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 15 minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Watching these come out of the oven perfectly shaped and smelling heavenly is such a joyful moment.

Step 8: Make the Buttercream Frosting

In a clean large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter on medium speed until creamy. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon salt. Gradually mix in 3 ½ cups powdered sugar alternating with ¼ cup heavy cream until your frosting is smooth and fluffy. Adjust the texture by adding more cream to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken—aim for a pipeable consistency that holds its shape but is soft enough to melt in your mouth.

Step 9: Prepare the Piping Bag

Transfer the buttercream into a large piping bag fitted with a medium round tip, or simply snip about 1 cm off the end if you don’t have a tip. This will give you fine control when decorating and bring your polar bears to life!

Step 10: Frost and Add Sanding Sugar

Pipe a thin layer of frosting over each cooled cookie, making sure to cover the top evenly. While still tacky, gently pat the frosted face into a bowl of white sanding sugar. This adds the sparkling effect of glistening polar bear fur that will delight everyone.

Step 11: Create the Polar Bear Faces

Pipe a small oval of frosting near the bottom center of each cookie for the muzzle area. Press one large chocolate chip onto the oval for the nose, then add two black sprinkles for eyes. Add red or pink sprinkles onto the ears to give a cute pop of color and personality to your frosted friends.

Step 12: Finish and Enjoy

Repeat this adorable decorating process for every cookie and prepare to be charmed by your own bakery-worthy batch of Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe! These are not just treats, but happy, huggable moments on a plate.

How to Serve Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Add extra festive flair by sprinkling a little edible glitter or finely crushed peppermint over the buttercream before applying sanding sugar. Fresh mint leaves or tiny fondant snowflakes also make lovely, whimsical accents that enhance the wintry vibe.

Side Dishes

Pair these sweet polar bears with a warm mug of steaming hot chocolate or a cold glass of milk for the ultimate cozy snack. They also shine alongside a fruit platter or a simple bowl of mixed nuts, providing balance to the sugary richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Display your Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe on a frosted white platter lined with evergreen sprigs or dust a serving tray with powdered sugar for a snow-like effect. For gifting, wrap them in clear bags tied with silver or blue ribbon, turning your cookies into heartwarming homemade presents.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any uneaten Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This ensures they stay soft without the buttercream drying out or getting sticky.

Freezing

You can freeze undecorated cookie dough for up to one month, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight bag. Bake directly from frozen by adding a minute or two to the baking time. For decorated cookies, freezing isn’t recommended as frosting texture and appearance can suffer.

Reheating

If you prefer your cookies slightly warm, gently warm one or two in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes or microwave briefly for 10 seconds, but avoid reheating the frosting so it keeps its lovely texture intact.

FAQs

Can I use cream cheese in the frosting?

While the frosting in this Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe is classic buttercream, incorporating cream cheese would change its stability and texture. It’s best saved for the dough where it adds perfect tenderness.

What’s the best way to prevent cookies from spreading?

Chilling both the dough and the cut cookies before baking helps them hold their shape. Using cornstarch in the flour mix also reduces spreading for well-defined polar bear shapes.

Can I substitute the cornstarch?

Yes! You could use tapioca starch or arrowroot powder as alternatives, but cornstarch is preferred for its subtle effect on tenderness without affecting flavor.

How do I make the frosting less sweet?

Balancing sweetness by adding a touch more salt or reducing powdered sugar slightly can help. You can also add a small splash more vanilla for flavor boost without extra sugar.

Are there gluten-free options for this recipe?

Absolutely! Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum to maintain structure. Keep in mind texture may slightly vary, but the taste will remain terrific.

Final Thoughts

Making the Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe is such a joyous experience that combines creativity with comfort food magic. Every step shows you just how easy and rewarding it is to bring some charm and sweetness to your kitchen. Give it a try, share with loved ones, and watch how these little frosted bears become a delightful highlight of your baking adventures!

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