Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe

The Sweetest Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe Ever Created

Crafting these adorable red velvet bear cookies brings a whimsical touch to your baking adventure.

Soft, cute, and irresistibly charming, these little treats will melt hearts faster than butter on a warm pan.

Each bear-shaped cookie carries rich crimson hues and a delicate cocoa undertone that promises pure delight.

Picture delicate ears and round bellies emerging from your baking sheet, looking almost too cute to eat.

The gentle cocoa notes blend seamlessly with cream cheese frosting, creating a sensory experience that feels like a warm hug.

Sweet memories start right here with these playful, velvety companions that transform an ordinary afternoon into something magical.

Let these cuddly bear cookies become your next baking conquest.

Why Red Velvet Bear Cookies Feel Special

  • Create Adorable Edible Art: Transform simple cookie dough into cute bear-shaped treats that will make everyone smile and delight in their playful design.
  • Enjoy Rich Chocolate Comfort: Experience a luxurious blend of cocoa and red velvet flavors that provide a deeply satisfying taste sensation with each soft, tender bite.
  • Master Easy Kid-Friendly Baking: Learn a straightforward recipe that allows children and adults to collaborate, shape bear faces, and create memorable baking moments together without requiring advanced culinary skills.
  • Impress with Simple Decoration: Craft charming bear cookies using minimal ingredients and basic techniques like pressing chocolate chips for eyes, making gourmet-looking desserts accessible to bakers of all experience levels.

What You’ll Need For Red Velvet Bear Cookies

Main Ingredients:

Flour and Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie base.
  • Cocoa Powder: Gives rich chocolate flavor and deep red color to the cookies.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create a soft, sweet, and tender cookie base with rich caramel undertones.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic flavor depth.
  • Red Food Coloring: Creates the signature vibrant red velvet appearance.
Decorative Ingredients:
  • Mini Chocolate Chips, Melted Chocolate: Used for creating bear faces and adding sweet details. Dark or milk chocolate works best.

How To Make Red Velvet Bear Cookies Easily

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats for a smooth cookie adventure.

Step 2: Whip Up the Dough

Grab a mixing bowl and create cookie magic:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
Mix these until they’re light and fluffy like a cloud. Pour in:
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • Red food coloring

Blend until everything looks perfectly combined.

In another bowl, mix the dry ingredients:
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Slowly fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: Craft Adorable Bear Shapes

Time to turn dough into cute teddy bears:
  • Roll large balls for bear heads (about 1 inch)
  • Create tiny balls for ears (about 1/4 inch)
  • Attach two tiny ear balls to the top of each head
  • Gently press to make sure ears stick
  • Place shaped cookies on baking sheets with some breathing room between them

Step 4: Give Faces Personality

Bring your bears to life:
  • Carefully press mini chocolate chips into the dough for eyes and nose
  • Get creative with facial expressions

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cookie sheet into the oven:
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes
  • Look for set edges and slightly soft centers
  • Let cookies chill on the baking sheet for 5 minutes
  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely

Step 6: Add Delightful Details

Want to take your teddy bears to the next level?

  • Melt some chocolate
  • Use a piping bag or small spoon
  • Draw smiles, eyebrows, or extra cute features
  • Let chocolate set before serving

Enjoy your adorable Red Velvet Teddy Bear Cookies!

Tips To Help With Red Velvet Bear Cookies

  • Customize Color Creatively: Experiment with different food coloring shades to create adorable bear cookies in various colors like pink, blue, or pastel tones.
  • Prevent Cracking Tactics: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to help maintain the bear's cute form and prevent spreading during baking.
  • Smart Decorating Strategy: Use white chocolate chips or small candies as alternative eyes and noses for a playful variation on the classic design.
  • Texture-Perfect Technique: Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies soft and tender, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture for these cute bear treats.
  • Storage Savvy Solution: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their adorable shape.

How To Keep Red Velvet Bear Cookies From Drying

  • Seal Airtight: Store cooled red velvet bear cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and fresh.
  • Refrigerate Carefully: Place cookies in a single layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their adorable bear shapes.
  • Freeze for Later: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, preserving their delightful texture and flavor.
  • Reheat Gently: Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before enjoying their delicious taste.

What Tastes Great With Red Velvet Bear Cookies

  • Pair with Creamy Hot Chocolate: Indulge in a rich, velvety hot chocolate that complements the red velvet's cocoa notes. The warm, smooth drink enhances the cookie's sweetness and adds a cozy touch to your dessert experience.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop a creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside these adorable bear cookies. The cool, subtle vanilla perfectly balances the deep red velvet flavor and provides a delightful temperature contrast.
  • Serve with Raspberry Moscato: Uncork a chilled glass of raspberry moscato to elevate the cookie's fruity undertones. The wine's light sweetness and berry hints create a playful pairing that brings out the cookie's vibrant red color and rich taste.
  • Enjoy with Cream Cheese Frosting Dip: Whip up a quick cream cheese frosting as a dipping sauce. This classic red velvet companion adds extra tang and smoothness, making each bear cookie even more irresistible.

Fun Spins On Red Velvet Bear Cookies

  • Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies: Fold in mini chocolate chips directly into the dough for extra chocolatey bear cookies with added texture and richness.
  • Cream Cheese Filled Bears: Create a cream cheese filling by mixing softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, then carefully stuff the center of each bear cookie before baking.
  • Nutty Bear Cookies: Incorporate finely chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough for a crunchy texture and subtle nutty flavor that complements the red velvet base.
  • Marshmallow Stuffed Bears: Insert a small marshmallow in the center of each bear cookie before baking, creating a gooey, soft surprise when bitten into.

Red Velvet Bear Cookies Q&A

  • What makes red velvet bear cookies special?

Red velvet bear cookies combine the classic charm of soft, cocoa-rich red velvet with adorable bear-shaped design. They’re not just cookies, but cute edible art that brings joy to both kids and adults.

  • Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

While red food coloring gives the signature red velvet look, you can skip it. The cookies will be chocolate-brown but will still taste delicious. Just ensure you use high-quality cocoa powder for rich flavor.

  • How difficult are these cookies to shape?

Don’t worry! These bear cookies are beginner-friendly. The process is simple: make a larger ball for the head, two tiny balls for ears, and gently press them together. Even if they’re not perfect, they’ll still look cute and adorable.

  • What can I use to decorate the bear faces?

Mini chocolate chips work perfectly for eyes and noses. Melted chocolate can help you add extra details like smiles or eyebrows. Simple decorations make these bear cookies super charming and fun to create.

Print
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Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe

Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet red velvet bear cookies melt hearts with their adorable shape and rich cocoa charm. Homemade baking magic delivers irresistible treats you’ll savor bite by delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg

Sweet and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon red food coloring (gel preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Stabilizers and Detailed Ingredients:

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (for eyes and noses)
  • ¼ cup melted dark or milk chocolate (optional, for extra details)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. Create the cookie base by thoroughly blending softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes airy and smooth.
  3. Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring into the butter mixture, ensuring complete integration of all components.
  4. Separately combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, then gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture to form a cohesive dough.
  5. Craft bear-shaped cookies by rolling the dough into 1-inch spheres for the main head, then creating smaller 1/4-inch balls for ears.
  6. Carefully attach the smaller ear balls to the top of each larger ball, gently pressing to secure their position.
  7. Arrange the shaped cookies on prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 2 inches of space between each bear cookie.
  8. Design bear faces by strategically embedding mini chocolate chips to represent eyes and nose.
  9. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, watching for set edges and slightly soft centers.
  10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  11. Optional: Use melted chocolate to add final decorative details like facial expressions or subtle features to personalize each bear cookie.

Notes

  • Customize your bear cookies by experimenting with different food coloring shades for unique, playful looks.
  • Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, creamy dough that blends effortlessly.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain adorable bear shapes during baking.
  • For gluten-free options, swap regular flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to keep the same tender texture.
  • Prep Time: 12 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
James Mitchell

James Mitchell

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Creation and Testing​, Fusion Cuisine​, Food Styling and Photography​, Culinary Education​

Education

Kendall College, Chicago, IL

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classic and modern cooking techniques, with a specialization in international cuisines.​

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Advanced Certificate in Gastronomy
  • Focus: In-depth studies of global food cultures, flavor profiling, and innovative recipe development.​

James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation. 

His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.

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