Best 8 Gingerbread Bear Cookies Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the delightful world of gingerbread bears with our comprehensive guide to this classic holiday treat. Discover a treasure trove of recipes that cater to various dietary preferences and skill levels. From the traditional molasses-based gingerbread to vegan, gluten-free, and even keto-friendly options, we've got you covered. Unleash your creativity with intricate decorating ideas, turning these adorable cookies into edible works of art. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, our step-by-step instructions and expert tips ensure success. Embrace the festive spirit and embark on a baking adventure that will leave your kitchen smelling like a winter wonderland.

**Traditional Gingerbread Bear Cookies:**
Delight in the timeless recipe that has been passed down through generations. This classic version captures the essence of gingerbread with its warm spices, rich molasses, and a hint of ginger.

**Vegan Gingerbread Bear Cookies:**
For those with dietary restrictions or ethical preferences, our vegan gingerbread bear cookies offer a delicious alternative. This plant-based recipe uses wholesome ingredients like almond flour, maple syrup, and coconut oil, delivering a delightful taste without compromising the classic gingerbread experience.

**Gluten-Free Gingerbread Bear Cookies:**
If gluten is a concern, our gluten-free gingerbread bear cookies provide a delightful solution. Made with a blend of gluten-free flours and starches, these cookies maintain the chewy texture and festive flavors of traditional gingerbread.

**Keto Gingerbread Bear Cookies:**
For those following a ketogenic diet, our keto gingerbread bear cookies are a guilt-free indulgence. Using almond flour, coconut flour, and a sugar-free sweetener, these cookies offer a satisfying crunch and all the holiday flavors without the added sugar.

**Decorating Ideas:**
Elevate your gingerbread bears from simple cookies to edible masterpieces with our inspiring decorating ideas. From classic royal icing and sprinkles to intricate designs using edible markers and fondant, we provide endless possibilities to unleash your creativity and make your gingerbread bears truly unique.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GINGERBREAD TEDDY BEARS



Gingerbread Teddy Bears image

These cookies have been a Christmas tradition in my family since I was a little girl. The big bears are so soft and chewy that we can hardly wait until they come out of the oven!-Elizabeth Manzanares, Gloucester, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 10 cookies.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup butter, cubed
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup molasses
1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Miniature chocolate chips
Decorating icing and sprinkles

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and molasses. Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a large bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda and cloves; gradually add to butter mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into ten 2-in. balls, ten 1-in. balls, forty 1/2-in. balls and twenty 3/8-in.balls. Place the 2-in. balls on 3 foil-lined baking sheets for the body of 8 bears; flatten to 1/2-in. thickness. Position 1-in. balls for heads; flatten to 1/2-in. thickness. Attach four 1/2-in. balls to each bear for arms and legs. Attach two 3/8-in. balls for ears. Add chocolate chips for eyes and buttons. , Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes before carefully removing to wire racks to cool completely. With frosting, pipe ears, muzzle and paws; add sprinkles for fingers, toes and nose.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 481 calories, Fat 20g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 68mg cholesterol, Sodium 262mg sodium, Carbohydrate 70g carbohydrate (31g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

FAVORITE TEDDY BEAR COOKIES



Favorite Teddy Bear Cookies image

Cookies become a special treat when shaped into cute little teddy bears.

Provided by Land O'Lakes

Categories     Shaped     Cookie     Dessert     Cookie     Dessert

Time 1h1m

Yield 18 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup Land O Lakes® Butter softened
1 large Land O Lakes® Egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate, melted

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°F.
  • Combine sugar, butter, egg and vanilla in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Add flour, baking powder and salt; beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
  • Divide dough in half. Place half of dough into another bowl; stir in chocolate until well mixed.
  • Shape each teddy bear using either vanilla or chocolate dough or a combination for two-toned teddy bears. Shape 1 large (1-inch) ball for body. Place onto ungreased cookie sheet; flatten slightly. Shape 1 medium (3/4-inch) ball for head, 4 small (1/2-inch) balls for arms and legs, 2 smaller balls for ears. Attach head, arms, legs and ears by overlapping slightly onto body. Add small balls for eyes, nose and mouth, if desired. Use fork to make claws on paws.
  • Bake 7-8 minutes or until body is set. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 calories, Fat 10 grams, SaturatedFat grams, Transfat grams, Cholesterol 30 milligrams, Sodium 130 milligrams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Sugar grams, Protein 2 grams

GINGERBREAD COOKIES



Gingerbread Cookies image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 2h50m

Yield 16 to 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup dark molasses
2 eggs
1 tablespoon maple extract

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg, and whisk together. Set aside for a minute.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the brown sugar and butter until fluffy. Drizzle in the molasses, mixing well and scraping the bowl halfway through if necessary. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the maple extract and mix well. Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, beating until just combined after each addition. The dough will be pretty dense and slightly dry to the touch -- that's the way you want it! Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment.
  • Roll the dough out 1/3 inch thick (rolling between two sheets of plastic wrap will keep the rolling pin from sticking). Cut using any cutters you like, and transfer onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the cookies are baked through but still soft, 16 to 18 minutes.

SOFT-BATCH GINGERBREAD COOKIES



Soft-Batch Gingerbread Cookies image

These delicious gingerbread cookies bake up soft and chewy and are topped with the most delicious buttercream frosting.

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 55m

Yield 14 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (50 grams) dark brown sugar
1 large egg (56 grams), room temperature
1/4 cup (70 milliliters) dark molasses
2 1/4 cups (290 grams) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon (4 milliliters) vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
2 cups (250 grams) powdered sugar
2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) whole milk
1/3 cup sprinkles

Steps:

  • For the gingerbread cookie dough: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set aside.
  • Cream the butter, granulated sugar and dark brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on a medium-high speed for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes lighter in color. Mix in the egg and molasses on a medium speed until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.
  • Sift the dry ingredients (flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves and salt) into the wet ingredients. Mix on low until just combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.
  • Use a cookie scoop or large spoon to shape and roll 14 cookie dough balls using about 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 11 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies seem set in the center. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 10 minutes, then place on a wire rack to finish cooling.
  • For the buttercream frosting: While the cookies bake and cool, mix the butter on a medium speed in a large bowl for 30 seconds, or until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and salt. Mix on a medium speed until combined. Mix in the powdered sugar and milk on a low speed. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula. Once the powdered sugar is incorporated, mix for an additional minute on a low speed to give the frosting a super smooth consistency.
  • For the cookie decorations: Spread a thin layer of frosting on top of the cooled cookies using a small offset spatula or butter knife. Top with sprinkles, then enjoy!

GINGERBREAD COOKIES



Gingerbread cookies image

Put your feet up and enjoy these moreish gingerbread cookies with a cuppa, made with aromatic cloves, ginger, cinnamon and rich black treacle

Provided by Esther Clark

Categories     Afternoon tea, Dessert

Time 32m

Yield Makes 20 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 11

120g unsalted butter, softened
1½ tbsp black treacle
170g soft light brown sugar
½ tsp fine sea salt
1 medium egg
200g plain flour
¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
¼ tsp ground cloves
1½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cinnamon
60g golden caster sugar

Steps:

  • Beat together the butter, treacle, brown sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg, then beat through all of the remaining dry ingredients apart from the caster sugar. Chill the mixture in the fridge for 1 hr.
  • Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 4. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment. Roll the mixture into 20 even-sized balls (weighing for accuracy, if you like). Tip the caster sugar onto a small plate, then add each ball and roll around to coat. Space each ball out on the baking sheets. Bake for 9-10 mins until golden brown. Leave to cool completely on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 135 calories, Fat 5 grams fat, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 20 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 12 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 1 grams protein, Sodium 0.18 milligram of sodium

CHEWY GINGERBREAD COOKIES



Chewy Gingerbread Cookies image

This gingerbread is maxed out on spice, packed with two types of fiery ginger and lots of prickly black pepper. Cozy from all the warm spices as well as from molasses, they're perfect for munching on while tree-trimming. The center of the cookie is fudgy and dense, while the outside edges stay crisp - like the best brownie, but in gingerbread form. That chewy-crispy texture is thanks to the confectioners' sugar in the dough and a light coating of ginger-spiced sugar. Be sure to use true molasses and not blackstrap molasses; blackstrap molasses has less sugar, more salt and acidity, and can change the way the dough browns, spreads and interacts with the leavening.

Provided by Sohla El-Waylly

Categories     cookies and bars, dessert

Time 35m

Yield 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 15

14 tablespoons/200 grams unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3 tablespoons/50 grams finely grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 cups/240 grams confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons/60 grams unsulphured molasses
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg, room temperature
2 cups/250 grams all-purpose flour
1/4 cup/50 grams granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground ginger

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan over medium, melt butter until foamy, about 3 minutes. Continue cooking butter, stirring and scraping frequently with a stiff silicone spatula, until the sputtering has subsided and the butter solids look deeply browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat, then whisk in the fresh ginger and ground spices. Scrape the butter and any brown bits at the bottom into the bowl of a stand mixer (or into a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Set aside until cool, slightly solid, but still creamy, about 20 minutes in the refrigerator or 2 hours at room temperature.
  • Add confectioners' sugar, molasses, vanilla, salt and baking soda to the cooled butter. Mix on low with the paddle attachment, stopping once to scrape the bowl and paddle, until creamy and combined, about 1 minute.
  • Add the egg and mix on medium until pale and fluffy, stopping once to scrape the bowl and paddle, about 2 minutes. Add flour and mix until evenly combined, about 30 seconds. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days before baking.
  • Prepare the sugar coating: In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and ground ginger. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper, arrange the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, and heat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Using a #40 cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop the cookie dough into 2-tablespoon portions (30 grams). Roll the portioned cookie dough into balls and coat in the ginger sugar. Arrange on the sheet tray at least 1 inch apart and bake until set and lightly browned around the edges, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

GINGERBREAD COOKIES



Gingerbread Cookies image

Gingerbread cookies are a must for the holidays, and these spiced gingerbread men have a festive taste that doesn't disappoint! Originally titled "Eileen's Spicy Gingerbread Men," this gingerbread cookie recipe is easy to make and fun to decorate with kids. Adjust the spices to your liking, and use any shape cookie cutter for a nice variety of holiday cookies.

Provided by Stephanie Schneidewind

Categories     Gingerbread Cookies

Time 1h40m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 12

½ cup margarine, softened
½ cup white sugar
1 large egg yolk
½ cup molasses (not blackstrap)
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground cloves, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground ginger, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, or to taste

Steps:

  • Beat margarine and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until mostly incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, another 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in egg yolk, then molasses.
  • Whisk sifted flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg in a separate bowl until well combined. Gradually add flour mixture to the molasses mixture, beating until well blended and smooth.
  • Divide dough in half and form each into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 to 3 hours, or overnight.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Working with one disk at a time, and leaving remaining disk in the refrigerator, unwrap chilled dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Working from the center to the edges, roll dough with a floured rolling pin to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
  • Cut dough into desired shapes with cookie cutters, dipping the cutters into flour as needed so they don't stick to the dough. Fit the cookie cutters as closely together as possible to cut as many cookies as you can. This will minimize the number of times you have to re-roll the dough.
  • Transfer gingerbread cookies to ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Gather any dough scraps into a ball, flatten, re-wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate to use for later batches.
  • Bake each sheet in the preheated oven until firm, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool while you finish rolling, cutting, and baking the remaining cookies.
  • Frost or decorate cooled gingerbread cookies as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 88.4 calories, Carbohydrate 14 g, Cholesterol 6.8 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 103.4 mg, Sugar 6.4 g

GINGERBREAD COOKIES



Gingerbread Cookies image

These traditional spice cookies are just right for the holidays.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 3h30m

Yield Makes 36

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
Decorating sugar or sprinkles (optional)

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, spices, baking soda, and salt; set aside. With an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in molasses and egg. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients; mix just until a dough forms. Place dough on floured plastic wrap; pat into an 8-inch square. Wrap well; chill until firm, 1 to 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Divide dough in half. Working with one half at a time (rewrap and refrigerate other half), place dough on floured parchment or waxed paper; roll out 1/8 inch thick, turning, lifting, and flouring dough (and rolling pin) as needed. Freeze dough (on paper) until firm, about 20 minutes.
  • Loosen dough from paper. Cut out shapes, and transfer to baking sheets. Decorate with sugar or sprinkles, as desired.
  • Bake until firm and edges just begin to darken, 10 to 18 minutes, depending on size. Cool completely on baking sheets.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh, grated ginger in your cookies. You can also use ground ginger, but the flavor will be less pronounced.
  • If you don't have molasses, you can substitute an equal amount of honey or maple syrup.
  • To make your cookies even more festive, decorate them with sprinkles, candy eyes, or other edible decorations.
  • If you want your cookies to be crispy, bake them for a few minutes longer than the recipe calls for.
  • If you want your cookies to be soft and chewy, bake them for a few minutes less than the recipe calls for.
  • Be sure to let your cookies cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Conclusion:

These gingerbread bear cookies are a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for any holiday gathering. They are easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways, making them perfect for kids and adults alike. So next time you're in the mood for a sweet treat, give these gingerbread bear cookies a try!

Related Topics