Chocolate Teddy Bear Cookies

Recipe View 5 mins In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins Beat in the vanilla extract and eggs until well combined. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 1 mins In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. (1 minute)

Recipe View 3 mins Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, blending until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. (3 minutes)

Recipe View 1 hrs Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until firm, at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight. (60 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 15 mins For each cookie: Roll approximately 1-inch ball for the body, a 3/4-inch ball for the head, four 1/2-inch balls for the arms and legs, two smaller balls for the ears, and one tiny ball for the nose.

Recipe View 10 mins Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet to form the shape of a teddy bear. (15 minutes)

Recipe View 6 mins Use a toothpick to gently draw eyes and a mouth on each teddy bear's face. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 1 mins Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the cookies are set. (6 minutes)

Recipe View Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. (1 minute)

Recipe View Optional: Decorate the teddy bears with small pieces of licorice whips around their necks to resemble ribbons after baking.