Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for the cutest, most irresistibly delicious Valentine’s treat, you’ve got to try this Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies not only taste amazing with that classic red velvet flavor but also bring a playful, adorable vibe to your cookie platter. They’re perfect for sharing with loved ones or even as a special homemade gift. Stick around, because I’m going to walk you through every step of making these bear-themed beauties, and I promise, you’ll be proud of the delicious results!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe works together to create that classic red velvet flavor with a subtle cocoa depth and perfect chewiness. Plus, each decorating element is simple but effective, so you don’t need to be a pro to get cute results!

• All-purpose flour: Using spooned and leveled flour keeps the texture light, so measure carefully for the best bite.
• Cocoa powder: Sifted cocoa adds a subtle chocolate note without overpowering the red velvet flavor.
• Baking soda and baking powder: These create just the right amount of lift and tenderness.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled butter adds moisture and richness; don’t skip the cooling step or your dough might be too loose.
• Granulated sugar & brown sugar: The combo gives sweetness with a hint of molasses from the brown sugar, perfect for that chewy texture.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
• White vinegar: A classic red velvet ingredient that reacts with the baking soda to give that tender crumb and mild tang.
• Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
• Red food coloring: The signature color — go ahead and add more if you want a deeper red.
• Melted milk or dark chocolate: For drawing cute eyes and noses.
• Melted white chocolate: Great for snouts and ears, plus it’s easy to color with oil-based food colorings.
• Oil-based food coloring: Keeps the white chocolate smooth when coloring it; a small but essential tip!

Variations

I love that this Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe is so versatile — you can really make it your own based on your preferences or what’s on hand. Don’t be shy about playing with the colors, flavors, or decorations!

• Vegan Version: I discovered this trick when I swapped butter for vegan butter and omitted the egg — adding a little plant milk made the dough just right without losing chewiness.
• Chocolate Overload: Want more chocolate flavor? Try adding mini chocolate chips folded into the dough before chilling.
• Color Fun: Play with different food coloring shades for themed parties — pastel pinks or even purple look fantastic!
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and you’ll still get great results, just keep an eye on the dough consistency.

How to Make Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking all your dry ingredients—flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt—in a medium bowl. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents and prevents clumps. Sifting the cocoa and flour makes the dough lighter and the cookies super tender.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the melted and cooled butter with granulated and brown sugars on medium speed. I love how this step creates a silky base and caramel notes from that brown sugar. Make sure to scrape down the bowl so everything blends perfectly.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients and Color

Next, add vanilla extract, white vinegar, egg, and red food coloring. I usually start with about a tablespoon of coloring and then adjust to get a vibrant red; it’s totally fine to add more if you want that deep signature hue. Mix everything until smooth and luscious.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Dump the dry ingredients into the wet and stir carefully until just combined. You don’t want to overmix here — otherwise, your cookies might turn out tough instead of tender and chewy.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover your dough and pop it into the fridge for 20-30 minutes. This step is a game-changer for chewy cookies. It firms up the butter and lets the flour fully hydrate, making the dough easier to handle and your final cookies perfectly textured.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line two baking trays with parchment paper or silicone mats. Scoop dough balls about 1½ tablespoons each and roll them smooth, spacing about 3 inches apart. For the bear ears, take about 1 teaspoon of dough, split into two small balls, and place them atop each larger cookie ball. Bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges set but centers remain a little puffed—you want to avoid overbaking to keep them chewy.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Let cookies cool on the baking tray for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack until completely cooled. Now for the fun part: decorating! Use melted white chocolate to pipe the snouts and ears, tinting some with oil-based red or pink food coloring for cute blushes. Melted milk or dark chocolate makes perfect eyes and noses. If your chocolate thickens when adding color, a teaspoon of neutral oil helps smooth it out—this little trick saved me more than once!

How to Serve Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For a little extra charm, I like dusting the cookies lightly with powdered sugar or adding tiny edible glitter on the blush areas for a subtle sparkle. Fresh raspberries or strawberries on the side make a tasty, matching garnish too.

Side Dishes

This Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe pairs beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a cozy cup of hot chocolate. For grown-ups, I’ve even served them alongside a shot of espresso or a sweet red dessert wine — it’s a fun contrast!

Creative Ways to Present

I had the best time arranging these bears on heart-shaped serving trays during Valentine’s Day gatherings. You can group them in “bear families” with different blush colors or do a little picnic scene with miniature edible props. Gift wrapping them in cellophane tied with a ribbon also makes a super sweet homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover red velvet bear cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay moist and chewy for up to a week. Make sure the container is sealed tight to avoid them drying out!

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully. I usually freeze them flat in a zipped bag with parchment sheets in between. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours — no need to bake again.

Reheating

If you want that fresh-baked warmth, I pop the cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. It brings back a little softness and that melt-in-your-mouth feel without drying them out—just watch closely!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Bear Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to treats because it’s fun to make and impossible not to love. The chewy texture paired with the playful bear faces always makes me smile, and it’s such a joy to share with family and friends. If you want an easy way to impress at holiday parties or just treat yourself to a little cuteness in your day, trust me—you’re going to want to bake a batch of these.

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