If you’re searching for a recipe that delivers a boatload of joy in every single bite, you simply have to try making Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies. These adorable treats combine the gooey, melty magic of chocolate chip cookies with playful bear shapes that are sure to bring smiles to faces of all ages. Not only do they taste incredible—soft, buttery, and studded with chocolate—but they’re the kind of cookies that instantly turn an ordinary baking day into a treasured family memory. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon project or a special addition to a party platter, nothing says comfort and creativity quite like Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies.

Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies is how each simple pantry staple is transformed into something irresistibly cute and delicious. Every ingredient has a part to play, from building the dough’s tender crumb to delivering that classic chocolatey punch in every nibble.

Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Use room temperature butter for extra-creamy dough and that melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Brown sugar (1/2 cup): Packs in moisture and gives the cookies that signature chewy texture and caramel note.
Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Lightens the flavor and helps the cookies spread just enough for crisp edges.
Large egg (1): Binds everything together, adding richness for soft, tender cookies.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enriches the dough with comforting, aromatic sweetness.
All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): Gives structure so your teddy bears keep their adorable shapes.
Baking soda (1/2 tsp): Ensures just the right lift for perfectly baked cookies.
Salt (1/4 tsp): Balances the sweetness and brightens the flavors.
Mini chocolate chips (3/4 cup): Adds tiny pockets of chocolate in each and every bear.
Extra mini chocolate chips and chocolate-covered candies (for decorating): Optional, but they make the faces and buttons absolutely irresistible.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this will keep your teddy bears from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Setting up your baking station ahead of time means you can move seamlessly from mixing bowl to oven.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is key to making your cookies soft and evenly textured—the air you incorporate now will help your teddy bears bake up beautifully.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract, then beat until fully combined. This luscious mixture will smell absolutely amazing and is your signal that it’s about to get even better.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening and salt are evenly distributed, preventing any surprises in your finished Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture into your buttery base, mixing just until incorporated. It might look a little thick, but that’s exactly what you want for shaping those irresistible teddy bear heads and ears.

Step 6: Fold in the Mini Chocolate Chips

Switch to a spatula and gently fold in the mini chocolate chips. They’ll scatter throughout the dough, promising a burst of chocolate with every bite.

Step 7: Shape Your Teddy Bears

Now comes the creative part. For each teddy bear, roll a tablespoon of dough into a ball for the head and two smaller half-teaspoon balls for the ears. Place the head ball on your prepared sheet and gently press the ears onto the top sides so they adhere. Get ready for a cuteness overload!

Step 8: Decorate the Faces

Give your teddy bears some personality using extra mini chocolate chips or chocolate candies for the eyes, nose, and even little tummy buttons. Press them gently into the dough before baking so they stay put.

Step 9: Chill and Bake

If you want picture-perfect bears with well-defined features, chill your shaped cookies in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. Then bake for 9–11 minutes, just until the edges turn lightly golden. The bears should stay mostly pale in the center—don’t overbake!

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let your Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies cool on the pan for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This sets their shapes and helps the chocolate decorations firm up. Get ready to watch them disappear—one by one!

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies

Garnishes

For extra wow factor, dust your cookies with a gentle shower of powdered sugar before serving, or paint on sweet faces with a little melted chocolate. A tiny bow of icing or a sprinkle of rainbow sprinkles can personalize each bear—especially fun if you’re serving them for a holiday or birthday event.

Side Dishes

These cookies are dreamy on their own but pair even better with a cold glass of milk (classic!), a mug of hot cocoa, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a special after-school snack, set up a cookie plate with apple slices and a handful of almonds alongside your teddy bears.

Creative Ways to Present

Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies make brilliant gifts—tuck them into clear treat bags or boxes tied with twine for school parties and bake sales. At birthdays, set up a “decorate your own teddy” station with icing and edible markers. Or, build a forest scene on a serving board by arranging the cookies with green-tinted coconut “grass” and candy flowers for an instant party centerpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies keep their freshness best if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and full of flavor for up to 4 days—just make sure to keep them away from moisture and heat so their faces stay picture-perfect.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked cookies or the shaped, unbaked dough. Place cookies (or dough balls assembled as bears) on a tray to freeze solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag, pressing out as much air as possible. Frozen cookies will last for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you like a warm, gooey cookie, pop your Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies in the microwave for 8–10 seconds. For bigger batches, a quick 3-minute toast in a 300°F oven revives that fresh-from-the-oven magic without melting the decorative faces.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini chips?

Mini chocolate chips are ideal for these cookies so the teddy bear faces stay cute and detailed, but you can absolutely use regular chocolate chips if you chop them up. Just try to keep the pieces small for easier assembly!

Do I have to chill the dough before baking?

While it isn’t strictly required, chilling your shaped teddy bears for 10 to 15 minutes really helps their ears and faces hold their shape during baking, especially if your kitchen is warm or if you want the details to stand out.

Can kids help make these cookies?

Absolutely—shaping and decorating Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies is a dream come true for little hands. Younger kids will love rolling the dough and pressing in the chocolate features under adult supervision.

What’s the best way to decorate the bear faces?

Mini chocolate chips make perfect eyes and noses, but mini M&Ms, chocolate pearls, or even small dabs of colored icing can add creative flair. Feel free to mix and match for truly unique creations.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for set edges that are lightly golden while the center should remain pale and slightly soft; this ensures a chewy, moist cookie. Letting them cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving prevents breakage.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend these Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear Cookies enough if you want a treat that’s as delightful to bake as it is to eat. Invite your favorite people into the kitchen, pour some love into every bear, and watch as these sweet faces bring a little extra magic to snack time. Trust me—once you try them, there’ll be no turning back!