Description
Delightful Polar Bear Cookies with Creamy Frosting Bliss are charming, buttery sugar cookies shaped like polar bears, topped with a smooth cream cheese buttercream frosting, sanding sugar, chocolate chip noses, and colorful sprinkles. These festive treats are perfect for holiday gatherings or any occasion that calls for cute and delicious homemade cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (Softened)
- 8 oz Full Fat Cream Cheese (Softened)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Sifted)
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tbsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Fine Salt
Frosting
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (Softened)
- 8 oz Full Fat Cream Cheese (Softened)
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar (Sifted)
- 2 tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of Salt
Decorations
- 1 cup Sanding Sugar
- 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips (For noses)
- 1 cup Sprinkles (Various colors)
Instructions
- Make the Cookie Dough: Beat together the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Mix in the granulated sugar, then incorporate the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the sifted all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and fine salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into portions, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the dough to firm up for easier handling.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll chilled dough to about 1/3 inch (approx. 8mm) thickness on a floured surface. Use a 2 1/2 inch round cookie cutter to cut out circular shapes for the polar bear faces. For ears, cut smaller circles and gently press them onto the larger circles. Chill assembled shapes for an additional 15 minutes before baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-13 minutes, until edges are just set but centers remain soft.
- Cool the Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes to set, then transfer carefully to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat softened unsalted butter until creamy. Add softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and spreadable.
- Frost and Decorate: Generously frost the cooled cookies with the buttercream. Coat the frosted surface with sanding sugar for sparkle, then add chocolate chips to create noses and colorful sprinkles for fun polar bear features.
Notes
- For best texture, do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading during baking and to keep cookie shapes intact.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, creamy batter and frosting.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To freeze, wrap unfrosted cookies well and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw completely before frosting.
- Feel free to customize decorations with different colored sprinkles to match your occasion.
