chocolate teddy bears

How To Make chocolate teddy bears

• Step 1
  Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs; blend well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, blending thoroughly. Chill until dough is firm enough to handle.
• Step 2
  For each bear, form a portion of the dough into 1 large ball (1 to 1 1/2 inches) for body, 1 medium size ball (3/4 to 1 inch) for head, 4 small balls (1/2 inch) for arms and legs, 2 smaller balls for ears, 1 tiny ball for nose and, if desired, 4 tiny balls for paws.
• Step 3
  On ungreased cookie sheet, slightly flatten the large ball. Attach medium size ball for head by overlapping slightly onto the body. Place balls for arms and legs against the body; place ears against the head. Add a tiny ball to the head for nose. If using tiny balls for paws, place them on arms and legs. With a wooden pick, draw eyes and mouth. (Pierce small hole with wooden pick through top of cookie if using as Christmas tree ornament.) Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute. Remove from cookie sheet; cool completely on wire rack.
• Step 4
  Prepare Decorator's Frosting: Combine all ingredients except food color in small mixer bowl; beat until smooth and of desired consistency. Tint with several drops of food color, blending well.
• Step 5
  Decorate bars as desired. Store in covered container. (If using as ornaments, allow cookies to dry several hours or overnight before hanging; pull ribbon through hole. Do not decorate with frosting.)
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