bear paw cookies;
Originally posted May 31, 2019. Updated July 23, 2024 for content and clarity.
Bear paw cookies are sweet vanilla sugar cookies with a hidden hint of espresso, and topped with chocolate chips arranged in the pattern of a bear paw. The hint of coffee in these cookies really take a classic cookie and take it up a notch to a new flavor profile. Adding instant coffee gives an extra depth of flavor, but it’s subtle enough that it doesn’t overpower. My taste-testers (aka co-workers) loved them, but couldn’t quite recognize the coffee flavor until I told them what it was. That said, they all agreed it was delicious!
This recipe is great to make with kids! Depending on their age, you can tailor their involvement. Small children can help press the chocolate chips into the freshly baked cookies. If your kids are older, they can help measure, mix, and shape the cookies too.
Press the chocolate into the cookies while they’re still warm from the oven.
secret to success
Making the bear paw shape with the chocolate is somewhat time sensitive. You want to press the chocolate into the cookies while they’re still warm from the oven. This way they’ll really mold to the cookie and make a cohesive bite. It helps to have your chocolate prepared and sitting out in dishes or on the table, so you can move quickly. It can get overwhelming if you’re scrambling or crossing arms over a hot pan fresh from the oven.
Once you press the chips into the cookie, make sure not to disturb the chocolate. It will melt slightly from the residual heat of the cookie, so to keep crisp round lines–don’t touch! It’s easy to smudge or smear chocolate if you’re not careful.
You can also make a white chocolate version of these bear paw cookies: just swap in white chocolate chips and white chocolate melting wafers.
secret to success
The best chocolate to use here is a combination of chocolate chips and melting wafers. I use semisweet chocolate chips, and dark chocolate Ghirardelli melting wafers. You can also make a white chocolate polar-bear version of these bear paw cookies: just swap in white chocolate chips, and white chocolate melting wafers.
You’ll also want to go for smaller cookies to balance the ratio of cookie to chocolate bear paw. I used my Tablespoon cookie scoop and they turned out great. You can’t change the size of the chocolate chips or melting wafers, so unless you want to custom melt and size your own chocolate, just make slightly smaller cookies. Adjusting the cookie size is the easiest way to get these cute bear paw cookies looking their best!
You’ll also want to go for smaller cookies to balance the ratio of cookie to chocolate bear paw.
secret to success
Are you a fan of white chocolate polar bear paw cookies or classic chocolate bear paw cookies? I’m always partial to dark chocolate myself, but for a fun winter treat, white chocolate would be a great way to go! Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear if you’re team polar bear or team brown bear!
secrets to success;
Want all the best tips and tricks to make this recipe a success? Check out the blog post above to find out more!
more recipes;
Looking for other cute and theme cookies? Best with Chocolate’s got you covered.
- Pumpkin patch pumpkin spice truffles are so cute–decorated to look like miniature pumpkins and placed on a chocolate dirt pumpkin patch!
- For a festive spring option, check out these white chocolate bunny butts! They look like little rabbits diving into a hole, and taste delicious to boot!
- For a classy, sweet almond cookie, try these wedding cake cookies! They’re stacked to look like miniature wedding cakes, a fun way to give every guest their own cookie “cake”!
- Looking for more of a classic chocolate chip cookie? This small batch brown butter toffee chocolate chip cookies recipe is one of my go-to favorites! Or if you need a bigger batch chewy chocolate chip cookies or soft gluten-free chocolate chip cookies (the soft gluten-free cookies are lactation cookies, but don’t be deterred even if you’re not a new mom. It just means they’re packed full of vitamins and nutrients!)
bear claw cookies;
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 Tbsp vanilla
- 1 tsp instant coffee
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cup flour
- 24 chocolate wafers (I use Ghirardelli dark chocolat wafers)
- 72 chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and sugar until creamy.
- Add in egg, yolk, and vanilla and beat to combine.
- Add in instant coffee, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, and flour and beat until a soft dough forms.
- Using a teaspoon cookie scoop, scoop dough and place on baking sheet.
- Bake 9-12 minutes. Immediately after baking, press one wafer and three chips into the cookie for the pad and claws.
- Repeat steps with remaining dough and cookies. Let cool for 30 minutes before enjoying
