Gingerbread Bears

These scrumptious little cuties taste great decorated with icing or just left plain. For a darker, spicier cookie, use molasses instead of corn syrup.

• Calories: 263 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
• ⅔ cup corn syrup
• ¾ teaspoon ground cloves

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F ( 165 degrees C ).

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, Stir together the margarine, brown sugar, and molasses over medium heat until dissolved. Pour into a large mixing bowl, and let cool for 5 minutes. Stir the egg and vanilla into the melted mixture until smooth. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; stir into the wet mixture. Cover and chill dough for a few hours or overnight.

Step 3

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into bear shapes with a cookie cutter, and place onto an unprepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, cookies should be firm.