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Our Snowy White Bear Treats began as a casual baking adventure with my grandkids during a chilly winter and turned into our can't-miss yearly tradition. The mix of tender cream cheese dough with airy buttercream on top makes the cutest little bears you'll ever munch on. The sounds of giggles fill my kitchen whenever we add those chocolate chip snouts, tiny sprinkle peepers, and that shimmery sugar coat. Seeing those little faces beam with pride as they craft their own frosty friends makes cleaning up all that sugar dust totally worthwhile.
Irresistible Winter Treats
What makes these treats stand out is adding cream cheese to the cookie mix. It creates an incredibly pillowy texture with just a tiny bit of tang that works wonders with the sweet topping. I really dig how they don't spread out when they bake, so each bear stays nice and round. Through many winters of family baking, we've come up with tons of ways to dress them up, making each set completely different.
What Makes These Family Favorites
You'll spot these bear cookies at all our cold-weather get-togethers. They've become the star of our sweet table, always getting oohs and aahs from everyone who visits. My little granddaughter takes them to her school sales, and they're gone in a flash. That cream cheese flavor is so different that folks always ask how we make them. And honestly, the time spent making them together has turned into our most treasured family moment.
What You'll Need
Get your stuff ready first - grab those mixing bowls, your pin for rolling, and some cookie cutters. I go for round ones - big circles for the face part and tiny ones for ears, but really any size works great. Put some parchment or those silicone mats on your cookie sheets - I like silicone because the heat spreads better. Also grab your icing bags with those medium tips for the details. I've made these so many times now that I know having everything set up makes it all go smoother.
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Starting Your Dough
First, mix your soft butter with cream cheese until it's all smooth. Throw in the sugar and keep beating until it looks fluffy and light, about three minutes if you're using a stand mixer like me. Add your egg and some vanilla, then slowly mix in those dry ingredients. Your dough will feel pretty soft, and that's exactly right. Cut it into two parts, wrap them up, and stick them in the fridge for at least two hours. I often get this done the night before when the grandkids are coming over to bake.
Crafting Cute Faces
After your dough gets nice and cold, turn your oven to 350°F. Roll the dough out on a bit of flour until it's about a third inch thick. Cut out big circles for faces and tiny ones for those cute little ears. My granddaughter can't wait for this step, especially sticking those small ear circles onto the big face circles. Put them on your ready baking sheets and stick them back in the fridge for 15 more minutes. This extra cold time helps them stay perfectly round instead of spreading out.
Baking Your Bears
Keep a close eye on these little guys while they bake - around 12 to 14 minutes usually does the trick. You want them just barely set but not turning brown at the edges. Let them sit on the hot tray for about 5 minutes before moving them to cool down. My kitchen smells so good at this point that the kids always crowd around waiting to start the fun decorating part.
Whipping Up Frosting
While those cookies cool down, let's make our topping. Beat your butter that's been sitting out until it's super smooth, then mix in some vanilla and a pinch of salt. Add powdered sugar bit by bit, mixing in splashes of heavy cream as you go. Keep going until it gets all light and fluffy. You want it just right for putting on the cookies - not too hard but not runny either. I've done this so many times I can tell just by looking when it's ready.
Adding Bear Details
Now comes the best part. First, spread or pipe a thin coat of that buttercream on each cookie, then dunk them in white sugar crystals. This gives them that fuzzy polar bear look we want. Add a small frosting bump for their snout, then stick on a chocolate chip nose. Black sprinkles work great for eyes, and pink ones give them sweet rosy cheeks. Each little bear ends up looking different, which is what makes them so special.
Tips For Success
After baking these hundreds of times, I've figured out some good tricks. Always make sure your dough is really cold - it really helps them keep their shape. Pull them from the oven when they're just barely done - they'll finish cooking on the hot tray. Put the sugar coating on while your frosting is still wet so it sticks better. And don't worry about making them perfect - that's what gives each bear its own look.
Storing Your Cookies
Keep your finished bears in a container that seals tight - they'll stay good for about two days on your counter. If you need them to last longer, put them in your fridge for up to five days. Just remember to let them warm up a bit before eating. You can even freeze the plain cookies without frosting for a whole month - super handy during the busy holiday rush.
Family Memories
Each time these cookies come out of my oven, I think about all those winter afternoons with my family around the table. They've become such a big part of our special times together, showing up at our cookie swaps, family dinners, and school parties. I hope they bring as much happiness to your home as they have to mine. Just remember that each bear turns out a little different, just like the hands that made it.
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Final Thoughts
These fluffy cookies, crafted from cream cheese dough and frosted to resemble polar bears, are a treat perfect for parties or family baking days. They're tasty, adorable, and enjoyable to prepare!
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Why is chilling the dough important?
Cold dough keeps cookie shapes precise during baking, making it easier to cut and decorate. Plus, it helps avoid spreading in the oven.
- → Can I prepare these cookies early?
You can freeze the dough for up to three months, or bake the cookies in advance and frost later. Decorated ones stay fresh a few days in the fridge.
- → What makes cream cheese special here?
The cream cheese makes the cookies softer and adds a mild tang, balancing sweetness while creating a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- → Can I freeze cookies with decorations?
Freezing plain cookies works fine. But adding frosting? Not ideal—it'll mess up the design. Keep the frosted ones chilled instead.
- → What can I use instead of sanding sugar?
Granulated sugar works too, but with less sparkle. For a different vibe, try sprinkling shredded coconut—it adds a fluffy touch!