International P-Bear Day!

This Wednesday was International Polar Bear Day, and I decided to celebrate by making delicious gingerbread polar bear cookies. This recipe is from a good friend of mine, and I thought I would share it :)

Gingerbread Bears

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter cut into small pieces
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar
3-4 tbsp. milk


1. In food processor, combine flour, sugars, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Add butter, egg, molasses and vanilla and process until a snooth dough forms. Shape into 4 1-inch thick disks.

2. Roll each disk of dough between 2 sheets of wax or parchment paper to 1/2-inch thick. Refrigerate until firm. 

3. Heat oven to 350 degrees, line baking sheet with parchment paper. Using floured cookie cutter, cut out cookies. Place cookies on prepared sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Re-roll and repeat until dough is used up.

4. Bake until set, 8-10 minutes. Let cool on the sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Meanwhile, mix together the powedered sugar and just enough milk so that frosting is spreadable. Pread frosting onto cooked and dip in sprinkles. Enjoy! 


The original recipe says to dip into white sprinkles immediately after icing the cookies, I did not have sprinkles, but found cinnamon candies in my pantry, and they were used for the eyes! Not only did I bake for International P-Bear Day, but I also celebrated by turning down the thermostat a few degrees to lower carbon emissions which is always eco-friendly. You can always do the same to help save polar bears!