Polar Bear Cookies
Whimsical and indulgently rich, these Polar Bear Cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings. Their creamy frosting and delightful decorations make them a family favorite!
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1 1/2 sticks, 170g
- 1/2 cup full-fat cream cheese, room temp 4 oz., 113g
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar 300g
- 1 large egg, room temperature 56g
- 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 8g
- 3 cups all-purpose flour 375g
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch 8g
- 1/2 tsp baking powder 2g
- 1/2 tsp fine salt 3g
For the Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature for frosting, 226g
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 12g
- 1/2 tsp fine salt for frosting
- 3.5 cups powdered sugar 454g or 1 lb. box
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature 60g
Decorations
- 1 cup coarse sanding sugar
- 30 large chocolate chips dark chocolate recommended
- Round black sprinkles
- Round red or pink sprinkles
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and cream cheese until light and creamy.
- Gradually mix in the granulated sugar until fluffy and smooth.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually combine the flour mix with the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Baking
- Once chilled, scoop tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls, placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack until completely cool.
Frosting
- For the frosting, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy and smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly until well blended.
- Mix in heavy cream and vanilla extract until the frosting is fluffy and rich.
- Once cooled, frost each cookie generously with the buttercream.
- Sprinkle generously with coarse sanding sugar, and use chocolate chips for eyes and round sprinkles for noses.
Notes
Tips: Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature. Chill the dough for at least an hour for best results. Monitor closely while baking to achieve a perfect lightly golden edge.