Chocolate Teddy Bears
Instructions
1
In a large mixer bowl beat butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs, blend well. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, blending thoroughly. Refrigerate until dough is firm enough to handle. This is an important step to managing the dough, so don't leave it out.
2
Shape balls of dough to make bears
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a melon baller, or just a spoon, shape teddy bears this way; for each cookie, roll a portion of dough into 1 large ball for body (1 to 1 & 1/2"), 1 medium size ball for head (3/4 to 1"),4 small balls for arms and legs (1/2"), 2 smaller balls for ears, 1 tiny ball for nose and 4 tiny balls for paws (optional).
3
Attach balls for arms, legs and ears.
On an ungreased cookie sheet, flatten large ball slightly for body. Attach medium sized ball for head by overlapping slightly onto body. Attach balls for arms, legs and ears, and a tiny ball on head for nose. Arrange other tiny balls atop ends of legs and arms for paws, if desired. Make sure all parts are well attached. Then, with a wooden pick, draw eyes and mouth.
4
After baking, bear will look like this
Bake six to eight minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Store in covered container.
Makes about 14 cookies.
