If you’re looking for a sweet treat that’s just as adorable as it is delicious, look no further than these Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies. Imagine the soft, buttery crumb of a classic chocolate chip cookie, but shaped into charming little teddy bears, each one with its own big personality (and a handful of melty chocolate chips tucked inside). Perfect for baking with kids, gifting, or simply bringing out your inner child, this recipe is as whimsical as it is irresistible. Whether you make them for a party or just an afternoon pick-me-up, Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies promise to delight both the eyes and the taste buds!

Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these cookies is all about classic ingredients that play starring roles in both flavor and fun. Each one is chosen to create the perfect balance of chewy, tender dough and those signature chocolatey spots.

Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Brings rich flavor and tenderness to the dough—soft butter blends beautifully for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and helps the cookies spread ever so slightly, keeping the edges just crisp.
Packed light brown sugar (1/2 cup): Gives caramel undertones and chewy centers you’ll crave in every bite.
Large egg (1): Binds everything together, adding moisture for a soft, cohesive dough.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors and gives that unmistakable homestyle aroma.
All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The structure holding our teddy bears together—don’t skip the proper measuring!
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Lifts the cookies for a gentle rise and just the right amount of chew.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): A pinch wakes up all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
Mini semisweet chocolate chips (3/4 cup): Perfectly sized to fit tiny teddy bear arms and faces, and they melt into luscious chocolate spots.
Chocolate chips or candy melts for decorating faces (optional): For adding adorable details—think eyes, noses, or even bow ties for your bear creations.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure an even bake from the moment your cookies go in. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper—this makes cleanup easier and helps the teddy bears keep their distinct shapes.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, combine your softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Using a hand mixer (or some elbow grease and a sturdy spoon), beat the mixture together until it turns pale and fluffy. This step is what gives Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies their signature soft, tender bite.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat again until everything is thoroughly combined and smooth. At this stage, your cookie base should smell absolutely heavenly!

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. You want these dry ingredients evenly distributed so your cookies bake up uniform, golden, and delicious.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry mixture to your creamed butter mixture gradually, mixing on low speed until a soft dough begins to form. Don’t overmix—just enough to bring everything together for that classic cookie texture.

Step 6: Fold in Mini Chocolate Chips

Gently stir in the mini semisweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly scattered throughout the dough. Little chips are essential here because they nestle perfectly into each teddy bear’s tiniest features and help the dough hold its shape.

Step 7: Shape Your Teddy Bears

This is the fun part! For each cookie, roll one 1-inch ball for the body, a slightly smaller ball for the head, and teensy balls for ears, arms, and legs. Gently press each part together right on the prepared baking sheet to create your teddy bear. It’s a playful, hands-on experience—don’t worry about absolute perfection!

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden and the centers just set—resist the urge to overbake or you’ll miss out on that coveted soft chew.

Step 9: Cool and Decorate

Let the cookies rest on the pan for 5 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack. Once cooled, use melted chocolate or candy melts to give your teddy bears expressive eyes, noses, or even whimsical accessories. This step truly brings your Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies to life!

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies

Garnishes

For maximum cuteness, pipe on faces and tiny details with melted chocolate or colored candy melts. A sprinkle of powdered sugar makes them look extra magical, while a touch of edible glitter can bring a festive sparkle for parties or holidays.

Side Dishes

Serve your Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies alongside frosty glasses of milk, a piping hot cup of cocoa, or even fruity iced tea. For a party platter, try pairing them with some fresh berries and colorful fruit kabobs for a cheery, well-balanced snack spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Package them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for adorable party favors or personalize each bear with names piped in icing for birthday treats. For a kids’ activity or bake sale, set up a decorating station so everyone can give their own teddy bear a unique expression or accessory!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cooled Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Layer them with parchment paper if stacking, to preserve their cute shapes and details.

Freezing

If you’re planning ahead, shaped and unbaked teddy bear cookie dough can be frozen directly on a tray, then transferred to a zip-top bag once solid. Bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze beautifully—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To refresh a batch, warm cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes until just soft and aromatic again. If you prefer, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave will also do the trick, reviving that gooey chocolate chip bliss.

FAQs

Can I make Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies without mini chocolate chips?

Absolutely! While mini chips help with shaping and ensure every bite has chocolate, you can finely chop regular chocolate chips or use small chocolate chunks as a substitute.

My cookie dough feels too sticky—what should I do?

Pop the dough in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before shaping the bears. Chilling firms up the butter and makes scooping and rolling much easier (and less messy).

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Check that your chocolate chips are gluten-free as well, and you’ll have adorable gluten-free treats for everyone.

How can I make the faces stand out?

For bold teddy bear faces, use a piping bag with melted semi-sweet chocolate or colored candy melts. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating for the best results.

Can I double the recipe for a party?

Certainly! The recipe scales up wonderfully—just be sure to allow a little extra time for shaping all your teddy bears and bake in batches so they all turn out evenly golden and cute.

Final Thoughts

Baking these Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies is a joyful adventure from start to finish—each one is a tiny masterpiece just waiting to be devoured. Whether you’re making memories with little helpers or simply treating yourself, don’t miss out on the fun (and flavor) these playful cookies bring. Give them a try, and watch how quickly smiles (and empty plates) appear!

Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 14 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 20 teddy bear cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These adorable Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies are not only delicious but also fun to make with kids. Soft and chewy, these cookies are perfect for any occasion, and the cute teddy bear shapes make them extra special.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

For Decorating:

Chocolate chips or candy melts

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
Shape Teddy Bears: Roll dough into balls for the body, head, ears, arms, and legs. Press together to form teddy bears on the baking sheet.
Bake: Bake for 9–11 minutes until golden. Cool on the pan before transferring to a wire rack.
Decorate: Once cooled, use melted chocolate or candy melts to add features.