Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

There is something utterly delightful about making a batch of sweet, charming polar bear treats that light up the room and your taste buds at the same time. This Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe combines soft, buttery sugar cookie dough with luscious cream cheese richness and a dreamy vanilla buttercream frosting that’s generously dusted with sparkling sanding sugar. These cookies are not just desserts; they are little edible works of art that bring warmth, joy, and a playful spirit to any gathering or cozy afternoon. Once you try making and decorating these adorable polar bear cookies, they will become your new favorite go-to recipe for special occasions or whimsical everyday indulgence.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role in flavor, texture, or that perfect look. You’ll find this list simple, but each element is carefully chosen to create just the right balance of softness, sweetness, and the iconic buttery richness that polar bear cookies deserve.

• Unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks / 170g + 1 cup / 226g): The star of both dough and frosting, providing creamy richness and structure.
• Full-fat cream cheese (½ cup / 113g): Adds a slight tang and extra moisture to the cookie dough, making these treats irresistibly tender.
• Granulated sugar (1 ½ cups / 300g): Sweetens the dough while helping to create that perfect crumb texture.
• Large egg (1): Binds ingredients and adds a subtle richness.
• Vanilla extract (2 tsp + 1 tbsp): Enhances fragrance and flavor in both dough and frosting with warm, cozy notes.
• All-purpose flour (3 cups / 375g): Provides the structure needed for the cookies to hold their shape beautifully.
• Cornstarch (1 tbsp / 8g): Softens the texture to make the cookies tender yet sturdy enough to hold the detailed decorations.
• Baking powder (½ tsp / 2g): Gives a gentle lift for lightness in the dough.
• Fine salt (½ tsp + ½ tsp): Balances the sweetness and highlights flavors throughout the recipe.
• Powdered sugar (3 ½ cups / 454g): The base for the smooth, creamy buttercream frosting.
• Heavy cream (¼ cup / 60g): Adds richness and perfect consistency to the frosting.
• White sanding sugar (1 cup): For a sparkling coating that mimics snowy polar bear fur beautifully.
• Large chocolate chips (30): Serve as cute noses on each polar bear face.
• Round black sprinkles: Perfect tiny eyes to bring the bears to life.
• Round red or pink sprinkles: Add a charming blush to the ears, making each cookie utterly adorable.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking.
• 2 ½-inch circle cookie cutter: For perfectly sized bear faces.
• ¾-inch circle cutter: Creates adorable bear ears.
• Large piping bag: Essential for neatly applying the buttercream frosting.

How to Make Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

The magic begins by beating the butter and cream cheese together until silky smooth — this creates an irresistibly tender base. Adding the sugar next not only sweetens but also aerates the mixture for lightness. Incorporate the egg and vanilla, and watch your dough transform into a luscious, fragrant batter that’s just begging to be shaped and baked.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

While your butter mixture waits patiently, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt together separately. These dry ingredients ensure the cookies have the perfect crumb and rise just enough. Gradually introduce these dry ingredients to your wet mix, folding gently to avoid overworking the dough — the key to a tender cookie!

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Dividing and chilling the dough is a game-changer. Wrapped in plastic and flattened to half an inch, chilling relaxes the gluten and firms up the butter, making rolling and cutting easier with sharper cookie edges. Pop the dough in the fridge for two hours or the freezer for a quick 30-minute chill — either way, patience here pays off big time.

Step 4: Preheat the Oven

Getting your oven ready to a warm 350°F (175°C) is your next step. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat to bake up cookies that slide right off without any fuss. This simple prep helps ensure your cookies come out perfectly golden on the edges and soft in the center.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough and Cut Out Cookies

Generously flour your surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking, then roll your chilled dough to about a third of an inch thick. Use the 2 ½-inch cutter for bear faces and the smaller ¾-inch cutter for those signature ears. Press the smaller circles gently on the top of each larger circle to form the cutest little bear shapes ready for the oven.

Step 6: Bake

After another quick chill of 15 minutes (this helps your cookies maintain their shapes), bake them for 12 to 14 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when rims turn a lovely light golden color. Let them cool on the pan initially to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack so they’re perfectly ready for decorating.

Step 7: Make the Buttercream Frosting

Beat the softened butter until pale and creamy, then add vanilla and salt. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and heavy cream. Adjust the consistency by adding cream to thin or sugar to thicken your frosting — aiming for smooth, pipeable perfection that will hold its shape beautifully on your cookies.

Step 8: Decorate Your Polar Bear Cookies

Fill a piping bag with your luscious buttercream and pipe a delicate layer over each cookie, then immediately press the frosted side into white sanding sugar to create the signature snowy fur texture. Use more buttercream to pipe the muzzle oval, then add chocolate chips for noses, black sprinkles for eyes, and pink or red sprinkles for cheeks and ears. Each cookie turns into a little polar bear masterpiece.

Step 9: Enjoy!

Once decorated, these charming Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies are ready to be enjoyed and admired. Gather friends and family to admire your handiwork — or simply treat yourself, because these polar bears are as delicious as they are cute!

How to Serve Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Adding garnishes like a light dusting of additional powdered sugar or tiny edible silver beads can take your Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe to the next sweet level. Consider pairing with a few mint leaves or edible flowers for a charming holiday display that feels as festive as the season.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with warm drinks like spiced hot chocolate, chai tea, or a frothy latte. The creamy buttercream and tender cookie complement rich, warm beverages beautifully, making every bite even more comforting and cozy.

Creative Ways to Present

Present these cookies on a bed of fresh evergreen branches or faux snow for a winter wonderland effect. Arrange them on tiered trays for parties, or package several in cute clear boxes tied with ribbons for thoughtful homemade gifts that anyone would love to receive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe sealed in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This helps the buttercream maintain its smooth texture while keeping the cookies soft. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration in a container works too, but bring them back to room temperature before serving for best flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze undecorated cookie dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and proceed as usual. For already baked and decorated cookies, freezing is trickier because of the buttercream, but carefully packed in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container, they can last up to one month. Thaw gently at room temperature to avoid frosting damage.

Reheating

Reheating cookies baked from this Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe is generally not recommended due to the delicate frosting. Instead, enjoy them at room temperature to savor the creamy sweetness and tender texture. If the cookies feel chilled after refrigeration, let them sit for a bit to soften before serving.

FAQs

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter is key here because it gives the cookies that rich flavor and tender crumb. Margarine tends to have more water and less fat, which could change the texture and taste, so it’s best to stick with unsalted butter for this recipe.

What can I substitute for cream cheese in the dough?

Cream cheese adds moisture and a little tang that softens the cookie, but if you must, you could try sour cream or full-fat yogurt in the same amount. However, this may slightly alter the flavor and texture.

How do I prevent the cookie ears from falling off?

Press the small circles gently but firmly onto the larger circle dough before baking, and chilling the cut-out dough again before baking helps the pieces stay together. Using a little water or egg wash as “glue” is another trick to help the ears stick better.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Swapping for a gluten-free flour blend is possible, but results may vary. Look for one designed for baking that includes xanthan gum or another binder to help keep the cookies from being crumbly.

How long will the decorated cookies stay fresh?

Because of the buttercream frosting, it’s best to enjoy the cookies within 3 days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature away from direct sunlight to keep the frosting smooth and delicious.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a delightful baking project that is as fun to make as it is to eat, the Buttercream Polar Bear Cookies Recipe is an absolute winner. The perfect mix of sweet, creamy, and playful, these cookies bring a smile to everyone’s face. Whether it’s a holiday party, a kids’ birthday, or simply a treat to brighten your day, this recipe is a must-try. Dive in, have fun decorating, and savor every bite of your polar bear creations!

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